The host agreement signing ceremony for the 2025 Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) took place in Algiers on April 15th, 2024. The ceremony, hosted by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in collaboration with the African Union and AfCFTA Secretariat, paved the way for the fourth edition of the IATF to be held in Algiers from September 4-10, 2025.
In his remarks, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo praised the IATF as the premier trade and investment event on the continent. He said the hosting agreement symbolizes a collective responsibility to continue innovating and upholding excellence in the IATF tradition.
Afreximbank Executive Vice President Kanayo Awani said the IATF has become the platform for realizing the AfCFTA vision by expanding African trade knowledge and industrial capacity. She noted the past three fairs generated over 120 billion dollars in trade and investment deals.
AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene highlighted the IATF's role in enhancing intra-African trade without external assistance. He called it a "symbol of hope and opportunity."
African Union Commissioner Albert Muchanga said the IATF was designed to boost intra-African trade, create jobs, reduce poverty and grow manufacturing on the continent by establishing a predictable trade framework.
"Trade amongst African countries is low. The AfCFTA was designed to change this story. Not only was it meant to boost Intra African trade, but it was meant to deal with Africa’s perennial challenges of job creation, high levels of poverty and very low levels of manufacturing and industrial base," Muchanga said.
Former Afreximbank President Jean-Louis Ekra praised African unity and collective action in promoting intra-African commerce. He said such cooperation can drive innovation and better the continent's future.
The IATF2023 in Cairo saw 43.8 billion dollars in concluded deals. It attracted over 28,000 conference delegates, trade visitors and media from November 9-15. It featured 1,939 exhibitors from 130 countries showcasing their goods.
Algeria will now take center stage as the host of IATF2025, offering opportunities for businesses, investors, and more.
