Continental gathering to strengthen Africa’s trade, deepen investment, and boost AfCFTA implementation
Nigeria has been officially chosen as the host of the 2027 edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), with Lagos confirmed as the host city. The announcement was made during the opening ceremony of IATF2025 in Algiers, Algeria, where the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, received the IATF flag on behalf of the country.
The decision marks a major milestone for Nigeria, as the continental fair, established to accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, rotates to West Africa. Since its inception, the IATF has moved across different regions of Africa, leaving behind a unique legacy of enhanced trade relations, increased visibility for African businesses, and greater investment opportunities.
Reflecting on the announcement, Chairman of the IATF Advisory Council and former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, highlighted the significance of the fair’s rotational hosting. “Since its inception, the IATF has rotated across our continent, leaving its unique legacy and improving with each host nation. Today we continue the prod tradition by announcing the country that will host IATF2027,” he said.
The IATF, organized by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the AfCFTA Secretariat, has grown into Africa’s premier trade and investment platform. It brings together businesses, investors, policymakers, and development partners from across the continent and beyond, creating a one-stop marketplace for goods, services, ideas, and opportunities.
At the heart of the fair is its mission to deepen intra-African trade, unlock investments, and connect Africa to itself and the rest of the world. Through exhibitions, business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) exchanges, and targeted investment forums, the IATF enables direct engagement between buyers, sellers, governments, and investors. This facilitates not only the closing of business deals but also the identification of solutions to trade challenges that continue to hinder Africa’s economic integration.
Since the first edition in Cairo in 2018, followed by Durban in 2021, Abidjan in 2023, and now Algiers in 2025, the IATF has established itself as a continental hub for networking and deal-making. Each host nation has witnessed tangible economic benefits, including increased international visibility, new partnerships, and expanded markets for local businesses.
For Nigeria, hosting the 2027 edition in Lagos, the country’s commercial nerve center, presents an unprecedented opportunity to showcase its economic potential, cultural diversity, and leadership role in advancing Africa’s integration agenda. With Lagos already recognized as a leading trade and financial hub, the event is expected to attract thousands of participants, ranging from global investors and multinational corporations to African entrepreneurs and government representatives.
The Intra-African Trade Fair is more than an exhibition; it is a powerful platform designed to drive the success of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement, which seeks to create a single market for goods and services across Africa. By hosting IATF2027, Nigeria will not only solidify its position as a key player in continental trade but also reinforce the vision of a united, prosperous Africa connected through commerce, innovation, and investment.
As preparations begin, Lagos is set to welcome the world in 2027, carrying forward the legacy of past host nations and adding a new chapter to the story of Africa’s economic transformation through trade.
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