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● Nigeria will host the fifth Intra-African Trade Fair 2027 (IATF2027) on November 5 to 11, 2027
The Federal Republic of Nigeria has signed the agreement to host the fifth Intra-African Trade Fair 2027 (IATF2027), taking over the reins of Algeria which hosted the highly successful fourth exhibition and recorded US$49.94 billion in trade and investment deals.
The agreement signing ceremony was held in Lagos, designated as the ‘host city’, in partnership with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the African Union Commission and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, reinforcing Nigeria’s central role in advancing Intra-African trade and economic integration across the continent.
Scheduled to take place starting at5 – 11 November 2027, IATF2027 targets more than US$50 billion in trade and investment deals, 100,000 visitors, 2,500 exhibitors and participation from more than 100 countries. This exhibition will be held with a theme “Global Africa, Smart Trade- From Market Access to Market Power”featuring a variety of programs primarily trade shows; Trade and investment forums focused on AfCFTA; World Africa Day to strengthen ties with the African diaspora; B2B (Business-to-Business) & B2G (Business-to-Government) platforms; Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) to showcase Africa’s creative economy; Sub-Sovereign Government Network for regional and local government integration; special days for countries, public and private sectors to showcase their trade and investment, tourism and cultural potential; African Auto Show; AU Youth Start-up Pavilion for African youth start-ups; and the Africa Research & Innovation Hub (ARIH) for academics and researchers.
In just four editions since 2018, the IATF has cumulatively closed more than US$167 billion in trade and investment deals and welcomed more than 180,000 visitors from 132 countries. This strategic partnership creates a uniquely African framework that combines policy direction, financial support and trade facilitation. IATF benefit from institutional alignment across the continent, differentiating it both in structure and objectives.
Delivered his opening remarksHE Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairman of the IATF2027 Advisory Board and Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,underscoring the strategic importance of the Expo in shaping Africa’s economic sovereignty.
“The signing of this hosting agreement marks an important milestone for Nigeria and the continent. Bringing IATF2027 to Lagos is of historical significance, as the city hosted the Lagos Action Plan adopted in 1980, which championed Africa’s industrialization and economic independence. We must work hard to continue moving towards the Africa we want. I am confident that IATF2027 will surpass all previous editions in both scope and impact as we advance our shared goal of achieving a unified African Market under the AfCFTA,” he said.
Commenting on Nigeria’s expanding footprint in intra-African trade, His Excellency Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Federal Minister of Industry, Trade and Investmenthighlighting Nigeria’s increasing contribution to continental trade flows.
“Today, as the international trading system faces major challenges, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to mutually beneficial and rules-based trade. As we prepare to host Africa’s largest market in Lagos in 2027, we have an opportunity not only to reflect on existing realities, but also design the future of Africa’s trade integration and economic transformation. The work we are doing under the AfCFTA is not only expansive but also critical to our survival and prosperity. IATF 2027 will therefore be a watershed moment in accelerating and transforming intra-African trade and investment Together, we must align our markets, industry and human capital to create the prosperous Africa we dream of,” he stressed.
Appreciating Nigeria’s longstanding partnership and leadership in advancing intra-African trade, Dr George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbankcommended the Government’s commitment to the AfCFTA vision, stating that Nigeria’s scale, depth of entrepreneurship and industrial capacity make it a natural host for the 2027 edition.
“Nigeria’s dynamic entrepreneurial spirit gives us confidence that IATF2027 in Lagos will be an extraordinary event that strengthens trade and investment across the continent. This trade fair aims to build a strong pan-African single market and expand intra-African trade beyond the levels we see today. Our collective task is to use this platform to build value chains, create jobs and generate prosperity for our people. When African people decide to work together, as they will do at IATF 2027, the opportunity for transformation is endless. limited,” he stressed.
Nigeria remains central to the success of the AfCFTA, not only because of the size of its market but also because of its resource base and industrial potential. As a major producer of oil and gas, solid minerals, including limestone, iron ore, gold and lithium, as well as key agricultural commodities, Nigeria combines industrial capacity with a vibrant SME sector and a dynamic role in intra-African trade. This unique combination positions the country to drive value chains that drive regional integration and strengthen the continent’s economic resilience.
Describing Nigeria as a major contributor to the growth of the African Union and regional economic transformation, HE Francisca Tatchoup Belobe, AU Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Mineralshighlighting the importance of aligning industrial policy, mineral development and trade facilitation to unlock Africa’s full potential.
“When we launched the IATF in 2018, it was a bold experiment in connectivity. It was not just a commercial event, but rather a strategic tool to boost intra-African trade, which is still very low. As we prepare for the fifth edition of the IATF, we must ensure that the IATF boosts intra-African trade and helps Africa reposition itself in the global trade landscape. Therefore, we must have very high targets for 2027, especially as the IATF is most widely held in Nigeria. densely populated in Africa and one of the largest economies on the continent. Let’s make IATF 2027 a watershed moment that sparks new momentum for African investment, industrialization and trade,” he said.
Reflecting the broader continental impact, Cynthia E. Gnassingbé-Essonam, Director of Private Sector Engagement and Communications at the AfCFTA Secretariat, representing HE Wamkele Mene, Secretary General, AfCFTA Secretariat, emphasized that Nigeria’s hosting of IATF2027 strengthens collective efforts to operationalize AfCFTA and deepen regional value chains.
“Today’s ceremony marks an important milestone in our collective efforts to advance the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area. The Intra-African Trade Fair has established itself as Africa’s premier marketplace for trade and investment, bringing together businesses, investors and policymakers from across the continent and the diaspora. Nigeria’s hosting of IATF 2027 is a timely and significant moment, and we are confident it will result in an impactful trade fair that reflects the ambitions of the AfCFTA and the aspirations of African countries.” business,” he praised.
For more information about IATF2027 please visit www.intrafricatradefair.com
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About Intra-Africa Trade Fair
Organized by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) is intended to provide a unique platform to facilitate the exchange of trade and investment information to support increased intra-African trade and investment, particularly in the context of the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). The IATF brings together continental and global players to showcase and showcase their goods and services and to explore business and investment opportunities on the continent. The conference also provides a platform to share trade, investment and market information with stakeholders and allows participants to discuss and identify solutions to the challenges facing intra-African trade and investment. Apart from participants from Africa, this Trade Fair is also open to businesses and investors from non-African countries who are interested in doing business in Africa and supporting the continent’s transformation through industrialization and export development.
About Afreximbank
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For more than 30 years, the World Bank has implemented innovative structures to provide financing solutions that support the transformation of Africa’s trade structure, accelerating industrialization and intra-regional trade, thereby enhancing economic expansion in Africa. As a strong supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) adopted by the African Union (AU) as a payment and settlement platform to support the implementation of the AfCFTA. In collaboration with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the African Union, the World Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries participating effectively in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2024, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies reached more than US$40.1 billion, and shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has an investment grade rating assigned by GCR (international scale) at “Stable”, Moody’s (Baa2), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), and Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A). Afreximbank has developed into a group entity consisting of the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for African Export Development (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together the “Group”). This bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.
For more information, visit: www.afreximbank.com
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