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With only six months remaining, Algeria faces mounting pressure to finalise preparations for the Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025), Africa’s largest trade and investment event.
Despite assurances from Algeria’s Minister of External Trade and Export Promotion, Mohammed Boukhari, that the country was fully prepared, concerns persist over logistics, infrastructure, and the facilitation of thousands of expected travelers.
This is contained in a statement released in Lusaka on Monday.
Addressing the fourth meeting of the IATF Advisory Council, Boukhari acknowledged gaps identified during CANEX WEEKEND 2024, a dry run for IATF2025, in Algiers.
Read more: Algeria named to host IATF2025, as Cairo event winds down
“We acknowledge the challenges but are committed to resolving them swiftly. A high-level intersectoral committee is in place to ensure Algeria delivers on its promises,” Boukhari said.
The stakes remained high as Afreximbank and the African Union Commission (AUC) push for greater efficiency in finalising the event’s planning.
Jean Louis-Ekra, Deputy Chairman of the IATF Advisory Council and former Afreximbank President, warned that delays could impact participation, urging businesses, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and investors to register early to avoid last-minute disruptions.
“While progress has been made, Algeria must fast-track key preparations. Failure to meet expectations is not an option,” Louis-Ekra emphasized.
Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President at Afreximbank, echoed these concerns, particularly regarding unresolved travel and logistics issues.
However, she expressed confidence in Algeria’s ability to implement necessary measures for a seamless experience.
“We remain optimistic that the Algerian government will take the necessary measures to ensure a successful event,” Awani stated.
IATF2025 is positioned as a critical platform for accelerating intra-African trade, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which connects 1.4 billion people with a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of over US$3.5 trillion.
The 2025 edition will feature over 2,000 exhibitors from Africa and beyond, the Africa Automotive Show, bringing together vehicle manufacturers, assemblers, and suppliers.
The Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme, features fashion, music, film, arts, sports, and gastronomy.
It would also feature a four-day Trade and Investment Forum, gathering African and global policymakers, business leaders, and investors, among others.
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