Over $44 billion in deals expected at IATF2025……..set to attract thousands to Algiers

The Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025), Africa’s premier trade and investment event, is set to take place in Algiers from September 4-10, 2025 with over 35,000 visitors from 140 countries and 2,000 exhibitors expected to participate.

Organisers of the event have projected trade and investment deals to exceed US$44 billion which was recorded at the last and third Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2023) held in Cairo last year.

The 2023 even witnessed the conclusion of business deals and transactions valued at US$43.8 billion, according to Afreximbank. The organisers of the continental event said that the amount represented the value of 426 deals concluded in 21 sectors covering 52 countries.

At a press conference to announce the results, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President (Intra-African Trade Bank) at Afreximbank, also announced that 130 countries participated in the trade fair, which attracted 1,939 exhibitors and 28,282 participants who attended physically and through the IATF virtual platform.

Next year’s IATF, hosted by Algeria, aims to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a single market of 1.4 billion people with a GDP of over US$3.5 trillion.

The fair is organized by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in collaboration with the African Union and the AfCFTA Secretariat.

Former Nigerian President and Chairman of the IATF Advisory Council, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, emphasised the fair’s significance in promoting intra-African trade and investment. He highlighted the successful track record of previous editions, with over $100 billion in trade and investment deals closed and thousands of participants.

“The IATF has distinguished itself as an instrument for promoting intra-African trade and investment by enabling businesses to interact and access trade and market information opportunities. Over $100 billion in trade and investment deals have been closed cumulatively with over 70,000 visitors and more than 4,500 exhibitors participating in the last three editions of IATF. We welcome African businesses to tap into the opportunities to market, grow sales, expand to new markets and to exchange ideas with peers. We thank our host, Algeria, which is one of the continent’s more advanced economies”.

Heads of State and Governments, Ministers of Trade, Finance, Culture and other ministries as well as high profile business, small and medium enterprises and industry leaders are expected to attend IATF2025.

Chief Obasanjo added: “IATF is the largest, holistic trade fair championing the continent’s growth and development. It serves as a collaborative platform for driving shared aspirations for prosperity and stability, as envisioned by AfCFTA. It is a strong backbone for meaningful transformation of Africa and enhancing resilience by creating a gateway to new opportunities for economies and businesses through intra-African trade and investment.

IATF2025 will feature a diverse range of activities, including a trade exhibition, the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) program, a trade and investment forum, the Africa Automotive Show, special days for countries and entities, a B2B and B2G platform, the AU Youth Start-Up program, the Africa Research and Innovation Platform, and the African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network.

The fair’s virtual platform is already live, allowing exhibitors and visitors to connect year-round.

Afreximbank has played a pivotal role in supporting the AfCFTA and promoting economic integration in Africa. Through its initiatives, such as the Intra-African Trade Fair and the Africa Trade Gateway, the bank has facilitated trade, investment, and knowledge exchange.

The IATF2025 is expected to be a significant event for African businesses, providing opportunities to expand their markets, network with potential partners, and explore new avenues for growth. As Africa continues to integrate and develop, the IATF2025 offers a platform for driving economic prosperity and realising the full potential of the continent.-binessweekl