• $48.3bn deals sealed, Lagos gears up 2027 edition
By Obinna Uballa
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has described the just concluded Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) as a landmark achievement for the continent, saying the event demonstrated Africa’s capacity to forge economic integration and prosperity through trade.
“Through vibrant exchanges and partnerships, IATF2025 has exceeded our expectations and now stands as the biggest ever. It has sown the seed of future prosperity for our shared vision of an economically integrated Africa,” Obasanjo, who chaired the advisory council of the event declared.
Obasanjo said the fair “exceeded expectations” and had now become the biggest trade gathering in Africa’s history.
The former president noted that beyond the billions of dollars in trade and investment deals, the fair had succeeded in deepening connections among African businesses, governments, and creative sectors in line with the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Record $48.3bn deals signed
Recall that the fourth edition of the biennial trade fair, held from September 4 to 10 in Algiers, closed with a record $48.3 billion worth of contracts sealed by businesses and governments. More than 112,000 visitors from 132 countries took part, alongside 958 buyers and 2,148 exhibitors, underlining the scale of the event.
Organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the AfCFTA Secretariat, the fair was opened by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and attended by 14 Heads of State, 41 ministers, and other dignitaries.
The event’s rich programme included: A four-day Trade and Investment Forum featuring leading African and global speakers; the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX), celebrating fashion, music, film, arts, sports, literature and gastronomy; and the Africa Automotive Show, spotlighting the continent’s fast-growing vehicle industry.
Special Days were hosted by Algeria, Kenya, Tunisia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Côte d’Ivoire, alongside thematic days such as Global Africa Day, Arise IIP Industrial Day and Dangote Day.
Other highlights were B2B and B2G matchmaking sessions, the AU Youth Start-Up Programme, and the Africa Research and Innovation Hub, which connected entrepreneurs, investors and academics.
Lagos to host 2027 edition
One of the announcements at the closing ceremony was the institutionalisation of IATF as a treaty-based entity, IATFCO, with its headquarters in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Attention now turns to Nigeria, as Lagos was unveiled as the host city for IATF2027. The hosting flag was presented to Nigeria’s Minister of Trade, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole.
In addition, Cross River State, Nigeria, won the hosting rights for the 2026 African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network (AfSNET) Investment Conference, with Calabar named as venue. Governor Bassey Otu signed the hosting agreement on behalf of the state.
