The 4th edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) officially opened in Algiers, Algeria, under the theme “Boosting Intra-African Trade for a Sustainable Future: Innovation, Value Addition, and Green Industrialisation.” The Fair, hosted by the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria and co-convened by the African Union Commission, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), and the AfCFTA Secretariat, gathered thousands of delegates, including Heads of State, Ministers, senior policymakers, private sector leaders, and international partners.

With over 2,000 exhibitors and visitors drawn from across Africa and the African diaspora, the Fair is projected to facilitate trade and investment deals worth more than US$44 billion. The IATF has, since 2018, become the continent’s largest marketplace, connecting buyers and sellers while driving implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

In his keynote address, H.E. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, President of Algeria, welcomed delegates and reaffirmed Algeria’s pan-African commitment. He highlighted national infrastructure projects including the Trans-Saharan Road, the Algeria Gas Pipeline, and the deployment of optic fibre for digital sovereignty, stressing that deeper connectivity is essential to boost intra-African trade, create jobs, and shield economies from global shocks.

Representing the African Union Commission, H.E. Amb. Selma Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the AUC, reminded delegates that Africa accounts for just 2.9% of global trade, though intra-African trade expanded by 27% between 2017 and 2023. Speaking to the IATF2025 theme, she emphasised: “Africa must innovate, add value, and industrialise, moving beyond the export of unprocessed raw materials to become the architect of industries that will power our prosperity.”

Turning to the continental trade framework, H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, called for renewed urgency in implementing the AfCFTA. He noted that intra-African trade rebounded to US$220.3 billion in 2024, up 12.4% from the previous year, with growing exports in machinery, vehicles, food products, and chemicals. “This shift shows that Africa is moving away from raw commodity dependence toward industrial diversification, a transformation that must be anchored in stronger logistics and value chains,” he said.

Prof. Benedict Oramah, President of Afreximbank, underlined the Bank’s leadership in financing intra-African trade, noting that Afreximbank had mobilised billions to support industrialisation, trade finance, and SME growth. He stated: “The IATF has proven to be Africa’s marketplace for growth. At Afreximbank, we will continue to deploy resources to ensure that African businesses not only trade more with each other but also build resilient value chains for a sustainable future.”

Building on this message, H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairperson of the IATF2025 Advisory Council, praised the evolution of the Fair since its inception in 2018. He recalled that the IATF has generated over US$118 billion in trade and investment deals, connecting 4,500 exhibitors and more than 70,000 participants. He cited the US$2.9 billion Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project as one of the success stories, noting: “IATF has become the engine accelerating Africa’s trade expansion and investment flows.”

The IATF2025 programme is set to deliver a dynamic mix of business-to-business and business-to-government engagements, diaspora outreach, and showcases in the creative economy. Central to these activities is the AU Pavilion within the AU Village, which serves as a hub for network-building, knowledge sharing, and platforming success stories under Agenda 2063 and the AfCFTA

At the AU Pavilion, visitors will engage with:

• Success stories and progress across sectors, agriculture, health, infrastructure, trade and industry, digital, youth, gender, diaspora, and more, anchored in Agenda 2063 frameworks
• Africa Women in Processing (AWIP) Pavilion, showcasing women-led enterprises in value addition, offering training on export readiness, branding, marketing, and access to buyers and investors
• AU Youth Start-Up Pavilion, spotlighting young innovators through masterclasses, pitch sessions, networking and exposure to investors, mentors, and policymakers

Key announcements

Nigeria confirmed to be the next host of the Intra-African Trade Fair, with Lagos set to welcome the continent in 2027. Another significant development announced was that the IATF is transitioning into a treaty-based organisation with its headquarters in Zimbabwe, positioning it as a commercially viable and development-oriented institution dedicated to deepening trade and investment across Africa.