Algeria signs host agreement for Intra-African Trade Fair 2025

A host agreement has been signed to facilitate the fourth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), set to take place in Algeria next year.

The agreement, signed on Monday in Algeria, involved the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the African Union, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, and the Algerian government.

Scheduled for September 4th to 10th, the event aims to deepen trade ties among Africans, as emphasized by Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President Intra-African Trade Bank of Afreximbank, during the signing.

She highlighted that IATF2025 would contribute to realising shared aspirations outlined in the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.

Awani said: “The Intra-African Trade Fair opens up new avenues for African trade, serving as the platform to actualize the AfCFTA vision, expand knowledge of the continent’s trading landscape, and bolster the industrial capacity of African economies.”

Reflecting on past fairs, Awani noted that the previous three editions had generated trade and investment deals totaling over US$120 billion.

She said, “This figure represents African businesses finding new markets, industries discovering fresh sources of raw materials and investment, and government-to-government agreements in critical sectors like agriculture and agro-processing have been forged, and African contractors have won major government projects.”

Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairperson of the IATF2025 Advisory Council, described the fair as the premier trade and investment event on the continent, emphasizing its role as the marketplace for AfCFTA.

Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, underscored the fair’s significance in addressing trade information scarcity and promoting intra-African trade and investments independently.

Ambassador Albert Muchanga, African Union Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry, and Minerals, emphasized the transformative potential of the AfCFTA in boosting intra-African trade and addressing socioeconomic challenges.

Jean-Louis Ekra, former President of Afreximbank and Deputy Chairperson of the IATF2025 Advisory Council, highlighted the importance of collective action in promoting intra-African trade and investment.

The signing ceremony was attended by representatives from public and private sector institutions, African diplomatic corps, financial institutions, and trade associations, aiming to raise awareness about IATF2025.

The third edition of IATF took place in Cairo, Egypt, attracting over 28,000 delegates, 1,939 exhibitors from 130 countries, and reportedly concluded trade and investment deals worth US$43.8 billion.

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