Countdown Begins for 2025 Intra-African Trade Fair in Algiers

Over 35,000 visitors from 140+ countries will converge in Algiers, Algeria, from 4–10 September 2025 for the fourth Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025), Africa's premier trade and investment event.

With more than 2,000 exhibitors from across Africa and the globe, the week-long fair will showcase goods and services, fostering connections among businesses and facilitating trade deals projected to surpass US$44 billion. IATF2025 will be held under the theme “Gateway to New Opportunities,” leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which boasts a market of 1.4 billion people and a GDP of over US$3.5 trillion.

Hosted by the Government of Algeria, the event is organized by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the African Union and the AfCFTA Secretariat.

Former Nigerian President and Chairman of the IATF Advisory Council, H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, praised the event’s impact, stating: “IATF has become a key platform for promoting intra-African trade, with over $100 billion in cumulative deals and participation from over 70,000 visitors and 4,500 exhibitors across its past three editions. We invite African businesses to seize this opportunity to grow, enter new markets, and exchange ideas.”

Heads of State, government officials, industry leaders, and SMEs are expected to attend IATF2025, further driving Africa’s trade and investment potential.

Chief Obasanjo added: “IATF is the largest, holistic trade fair championing the continent’s growth and development. It serves as a collaborative platform for driving shared aspirations for prosperity and stability, as envisioned by AfCFTA. It is a strong backbone for meaningful transformation of Africa and enhancing resilience by creating a gateway to new opportunities for economies and businesses through intra-African trade and investment.

Key activities lined up for IATF2025 include a trade exhibition by countries and businesses; the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme with a dedicated exhibition and summit covering fashion, music, film, arts and craft, sports, literature, gastronomy and culinary arts; a four-day Trade and Investment Forum featuring leading African and international speakers; and the Africa Automotive Show for auto manufacturers, assemblers, original equipment manufacturers and component suppliers.

There will be Special Days dedicated for countries as well as public and private entities to showcase trade and investment opportunities, and tourism and cultural attractions, as well as IATF Diaspora Day which highlights commercial and cultural ties between Africa and its diaspora, featuring a Diaspora Summit, market and exhibition, cultural and gastronomic showcase.

Also planned is a business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) platform for matchmaking and business exchanges; the AU Youth Start-Up programme showcasing innovative ideas and prototypes; the Africa Research and Innovation Platform @ IATF for university students, academia and national researchers to exhibit innovations; and the African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network to promote trade, investment, educational and cultural exchanges at the local level. The IATF Virtual platform is already live, connecting exhibitors and visitors throughout the year.