By Baboloki Semele:

Algiers is set to become the focal point of Africa’s trade and investment landscape as preparations intensify for the Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025). Scheduled to take place from September 4 to 10, the event will bring together over 35,000 visitors from more than 140 countries, solidifying its reputation as the continent’s leading trade and investment marketplace under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The Government of Algeria, in collaboration with the IATF2025 organizing committee, is working diligently to ensure the success of this landmark event. Addressing the fourth meeting of the Advisory Council of IATF, Algeria’s Minister of External Trade and Export Promotion, Hon. Mohammed Boukhari, expressed confidence in the country’s readiness to host the trade fair.

“Algeria has expressed its full readiness to organise IATF2025, especially given our extensive capabilities and resources which will be leveraged fully to ensure the success of this important event. A high-level intersectoral committee has been established to oversee and monitor the preparations. We are confident that IATF2025 will meet the set objectives as it perfectly aligns with Algeria’s economic objectives, and we are committed to making the trade fair a resounding success,” said Hon. Boukhari.

With more than 2,000 exhibitors expected, including businesses from across Africa and beyond, IATF2025 is projected to generate trade and investment deals exceeding US$44 billion. The Algerian government is implementing measures to ensure seamless travel for the anticipated influx of visitors.

Deputy Chairman of the IATF Advisory Council and former President of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Mr. Jean Louis-Ekra, highlighted the significant progress made in preparing for the event. “We have had a fruitful meeting of the Advisory Council. We are satisfied with the commitment and progress made so far towards preparing for IATF2025 as September beckons. We encourage countries, corporates, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), buyers, visitors, and delegates to take this early opportunity to register for the trade fair.”

IATF serves as a vital platform for intra-African trade and investment, leveraging AfCFTA’s market potential of over 1.4 billion people and a GDP exceeding US$3.5 trillion. Since its inception, the trade fair has facilitated deals worth over $100 billion, attracting more than 70,000 visitors and 4,500 exhibitors across previous editions.

IATF2025 will feature an array of events designed to maximize business and networking opportunities:

• Trade Exhibition: Showcasing products and services from African and global businesses.
• Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX): A dedicated summit and exhibition covering fashion, music, film, arts, crafts, sports, literature, and culinary arts.
• Trade and Investment Forum: A four-day forum featuring leading African and international speakers.
• Africa Automotive Show: Bringing together auto manufacturers, assemblers, original equipment manufacturers, and component suppliers.
• Special Days: Dedicated events highlighting investment opportunities and cultural showcases for individual countries and organizations, including a Global Africa Day.
• B2B and B2G Platforms: Facilitating business matchmaking and networking.
• AU Youth Start-Up Programme: Showcasing innovative ideas and prototypes from young African entrepreneurs.
• Africa Research and Innovation Hub: Providing a space for academia and researchers to present their projects.
• African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network (AfSNET): Fostering trade, investment, and cultural exchanges at the local level.

Additionally, the IATF Virtual platform is already live, offering exhibitors and visitors year-round engagement opportunities.

Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President of Intra-African Trade & Export Development Bank at Afreximbank, reaffirmed the commitment to ensuring IATF2025’s success. “Overall, we are happy with the progress made towards hosting IATF2025, the biggest trade and investment platform on the continent. I want to laud the Government of Algeria for agreeing to take necessary measures to ensure that IATF2025 is a resounding success. IATF2025 is pivotal to advancing intra-African trade. Therefore, I want to encourage local businesses, especially SMEs, to take advantage of the fair to showcase their products and services to buyers and visitors attending the fair, in order to expand their markets.”

With just six months to go, anticipation is building for what promises to be a transformative event for African trade and investment. IATF2025 will not only serve as a marketplace for goods and services but also as a hub for fostering economic collaboration and innovation across the continent.

About the Intra-African Trade Fair

Organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with 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 for facilitating trade and investment information exchange in support of increased intra-African trade and investment, especially in the context of implementing the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). IATF brings together continental and global players to showcase and exhibit their goods and services and to explore business and investment opportunities in the continent. It also provides a platform to share trade, investment and market information with stakeholders and allows participants to discuss and identify solutions to the challenges confronting intra-African trade and investment. In addition to African participants, the Trade Fair is also open to businesses and investors from non-African countries interested in doing business in Africa and in supporting the continent’s transformation through industrialisation and export development.