The fourth Intra-African Trade Fair, hosted in Algiers, Algeria, ended on September 10, 2025, in a resounding success with $48.3 billion in trade and investment deals signed during the weeklong continental exposition event that began on September 4 and was attended by over 112,000 visitors (physical and virtual), from 132 countries.
A total of 958 buyers also participated in the event.
The opening ceremony, addressed by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, among other dignitaries, featured a lively summit-style discussion that saw the participation of 14 heads of state and government, six representatives of government, as well as 41 ministers and deputy ministers.
Held biennially, IATF provides a platform for businesses in Africa and the rest of the world to showcase their goods and services to visitors and buyers while exchanging information and exploring opportunities. The weeklong Fair held from 4-5 September 2025 in Algiers, Algeria, was organised by the African Export-Import Bank in partnership with the African Union Commission and the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat.
According to the IATF2025 Report Card, the event welcomed 2,148 exhibitors. It featured major activities, including a trade exhibition by countries and businesses, a four-day trade and investment forum graced by leading African and international speakers, the Creative Africa Nexus programme with its own dedicated exhibition covering fashion, music, film, arts and craft, sports, literature and gastronomy, as well as the Africa Automotive Show.
The robust and enriching programme also included nine Special Days hosted by countries and organisations to showcase their trade and investment opportunities, including an IATF2025 Global Africa Day that highlighted commercial and cultural ties between Africa and its diaspora, the Arise IIP Industrial Day and the Dangote Day, as well as Country Days by Algeria, Kenya, Tunisia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Cote d’Ivoire.
B2B and B2G matchmaking programmes were held to facilitate strategic partnerships and government collaborations to unlock new opportunities.
At the same time, the AU Youth Start-Up Programme showcased innovative ideas and prototypes, and the Africa Research and Innovation Hub @ IATF targeted academia and national researchers. The activities were preceded by the IATF Virtual Platform, which had already been live throughout the year, connecting exhibitors and visitors.
Addressing the closing ceremony, Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria and chairman of the Advisory Council of IATF2025, said that the trade fair had surpassed all expectations and targets set by the organisers and expressed “a sense of accomplishment and feeling of satisfaction” at the outcome.
Obasanjo attributed the successful outcome to the vibrant exchanges and dynamic partnerships that pervaded the trade fair and said that, more than being just a trade fair, IATF2025 was a testament to a more integrated and prosperous Africa.
He added, “Through vibrant exchanges and partnerships, IATF2025 has exceeded our expectations and now stands as the biggest ever. It has sown the seed of future prosperity for our shared vision of an economically integrated Africa. We need to continue building on these established connections in exploring new opportunities, working together to realise the full benefits of AfCFTA.”
There were also enriching discussions by political, business and other leaders on key Intra-African trade issues during the conference segment of the trade fair, with some of the most sought-after African and international speakers participating.
Lagos, Nigeria, was announced as the venue of the next IATF in 2027 and the hosting flag was presented to Minister of Trade, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole.
Award of the hosting rights for the Sixth African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network Investment Conference in 2026 to Cross River State of Nigeria, with Calabar as the designated venue.
Governor Bassey Edet Otu signed the hosting agreement on behalf of the state, and Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice-President of Intra-African Trade and Export Development, on behalf of Afreximbank.
Algeria, which had emerged as a natural choice for IATF2025 because of its established industrial value chains, diversified economy and strategic location, ended up accounting for $11.4 billion of the $48.3-billion contracts signed at the trade fair, representing 23.6 per cent of the total deals that were closed at the fair.
Additional export opportunities/commitments for Algerian companies from the fair, amounting to $11.6 billion, are still scheduled to be signed.
Algerian businesses also took advantage of IATF2025 to showcase their products, attract investment and connect with new partners, enabling them to establish long-term business relationships and connections with counterparts in other African countries in support of AfCFTA implementation.
