Lagos has been announced as the host city for the next Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), scheduled for 2027.
The announcement was made at the conclusion of the fourth edition of the fair, IATF 2025, held in Algiers, Algeria, which ended on September 10, 2025. The weeklong event recorded a commendable $48.3 billion in trade and investment deals.
Organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, IATF 2025 attracted 2,148 exhibitors and hosted a wide range of activities.
These included country and business trade exhibitions, a four-day trade and investment forum featuring leading African and international speakers, the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme showcasing fashion, music, film, arts and crafts, sports, literature, and gastronomy, as well as the Africa Automotive Show.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who chairs the IATF 2025 Advisory Council, said the trade fair had exceeded all expectations and targets set by the organisers. He described the outcome as a testament to Africa’s growing economic integration.
“Through vibrant exchanges and partnerships, IATF 2025 has surpassed our expectations and now stands as the biggest ever. It has sown the seeds of future prosperity for our shared vision of an economically integrated Africa. We need to continue building on these established connections, explore new opportunities, and work together to realise the full benefits of AfCFTA,” Obasanjo said.
He credited the success of the event to the dynamic partnerships and meaningful exchanges that defined it, adding that IATF 2025 was more than just an exhibition, it was a signal of a more integrated and prosperous Africa.
