APA-Algiers (Algeria) The signing ceremony for the agreement to host the event, scheduled to run from 4 to 10 September 2025, took place in Algiers last Monday.
After Cairo, Egypt in 2018 and 2023, and Durban (South Africa) in 2021, the Algerian capital will host the fourth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF).
Organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the African Union (AU) and the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the IATF has been described by Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairman of the Advisory Council for the next edition, as a major event “in the African calendar of
economic, social, commercial and even political events.”
The former President of Nigeria also stressed that “more than just a contractual agreement,” the signing of the hosting agreement by Algeria represents “a collective responsibility of the partners for excellence and innovation,” with the aim of “changing the socio-economic landscape of Africa by developing progressive
initiatives to promote intra-African trade and continental integration.”
For Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President of Afreximbank’s Intra-African Trade Bank, “the Intra-African Trade Fair opens up alternative avenues for African trade. It has become the platform for updating Zlecaf’s vision. It broadens and deepens knowledge of the continent’s business environment and strengthens the industrial capacity of African economies.”
IATF, he added, has become the driving force behind the acceleration of trade and business flows on the continent. As proof, the last three fairs have generated trade and investment agreements worth at least 120 billion dollars.
“African companies have found buyers in new markets across the continent. Industries have benefited from new sources of raw materials, investment and capital goods. Government-to-government agreements have been signed in key sectors such as agriculture and agro-industry. African entrepreneurs have been awarded major government projects,” Ms. Awani said.
Speaking on behalf of the AfCFTA, Secretary General Wamkele Mene said that the Intra-African Trade Fair is “our strategic response to the challenge of lack of trade information, aimed at enhancing intra-African trade and investment, all without the need for external assistance. The IATF is also a symbol of hope and opportunity,
breaking down traditional trade and investment barriers to unite Africa’s diverse and cohesive identity.”
In the statement by Ambassador Albert Muchanga, AU Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, the emphasis was on the fact that “other regions of the world have proven that trade can be a powerful tool for economic growth. While it has lifted millions of people out of poverty in those regions, the same cannot be said for Africa. Trade between African countries is weak.”
The AfCFTA was set up precisely to change this. “It should not only stimulate intra-African trade, but also address Africa’s continuing challenges in terms of job creation, high levels of poverty and very low levels of manufacturing and industrial base. The AfCFTA has been designed to create a predictable legal framework for trade and
investment, offering greater certainty to investors and bringing certainty and predictability to Africa’s business environment,” Mr. Muchanga said.
In his closing speech, Jean-Louis Ekra, former Chairman of Afreximbank and Vice-Chairman of the IATF 2025 Advisory Board, praised “the strength of African unity, common purpose and collective action to promote intra-African trade and investment”. It is through our combined efforts that we can drive positive change, encourage
innovation and create a better future for all the people of the African continent,” he went on.
The Intra-Africa Trade Fair gives exhibitors, companies, buyers, sellers, traders, investors, captains of industry, senior ministers, trade finance and advisory specialists, business and economic organisations, senior executives from companies and multinationals, innovative entrepreneurs and the media the opportunity to showcase their products and services, participate in business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) exchanges, network, make new business contacts and conclude trade agreements. It also gives delegates the opportunity to hear from a range of experts on a wide range of trade and investment topics and opportunities.
The 3rd edition of the Intra-Africa Trade Fair, held in Cairo, Egypt, from 9 to 15 November 2023, attracted more than 28,000 conference delegates, trade visitors and media. It welcomed 1939 exhibitors from 130 countries and saw the conclusion of trade and investment agreements worth 43.8 billion dollars.
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