A record-breaking $48.3 billion worth of trade and investment deals were sealed at the close of the fourth Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) in Algiers, Algeria, as former Nigerian President and chairman of the Advisory Council of IATF2025, Olusegun Obasanjo stressed the need for the continent to work together to realise the full benefits of Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
The weeklong fair, which ran from September 4 to 10, attracted over 112,000 visitors physically and virtually from 132 countries, alongside 958 international buyers. A total of 2,148 exhibitors showcased their products and services across multiple sectors, affirming IATF’s place as Africa’s largest marketplace for trade and investment opportunities
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Obasanjo, said 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.
He 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.
“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”, he stated.
Algeria, which hosted the fair, accounted for $11.4 billion of the total deals or 23.6 per cent of all contracts closed. Additional commitments worth $11.6 billion are still scheduled for Algerian companies. The North African country leveraged the fair to strengthen its industrial base, attract partners, and showcase its diversified economy.
The fair produced several major outcomes such as the institutionalisation of the Intra-African Trade Fair as a treaty-based entity, IATFCO, with its headquarters to be located in Harare, Zimbabwe.
In addition, Lagos, Nigeria, was formally announced as the next host city for IATF in 2027, with the hosting flag presented to Nigeria’s minister of Trade, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole.
Nigeria’s Cross Rivers state was also awarded the hosting rights for the Sixth African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network (AfSNET) Investment Conference in 2026.
The hosting agreement was signed by Governor Bassey Edet Otu on behalf of Cross River State and Kanayo Awani, executive vice president of Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank.
The closing ceremony also featured an awards segment that recognised outstanding participants.
Mota Engil won Best Stand Design in the entity category, while Zambia received the prize for Best Stand Pavilion. Nigeria clinched Best Stand, Zimbabwe took Best Stand Feature, and Ogun State was honoured for sustainability with the Most Green Stand award.
Arise IIP won the Most Innovative Stand, while the Ministry of Arts and Culture, Algeria, received the CANEX Award. Fiat Stellantis emerged winner of the Africa Automotive Show Award.
