Nigeria has officially signed the host agreement for the fifth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2027), marking a major milestone in efforts to strengthen trade and economic integration across the continent.
The announcement was made by George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank), who described the development as a decisive step toward building a unified African marketplace.
The Intra-African Trade Fair was created to connect African producers directly with markets across the continent, while unlocking investment opportunities and turning the vision of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) into real commercial activity. Since its launch, the fair has grown into one of Africa’s largest trade and investment platforms.
According to Afreximbank, the four previous editions of the fair have generated more than $160 billion in trade and investment deals, benefiting entrepreneurs, manufacturers, innovators and small businesses. These deals have helped businesses secure partners, access new markets and attract capital from across Africa.
Elombi noted that Nigeria’s strong entrepreneurial culture and expanding industrial base make it a natural choice to host the next edition. He highlighted Lagos as a historic gateway for commerce, creativity and innovation in Africa, adding that the city will offer an ideal platform for businesses to connect, trade and grow.
The Afreximbank chief also expressed appreciation to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian government, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole, as well as the African Union Commission and the AfCFTA Secretariat for their support in making the agreement possible.
Looking ahead to IATF 2027, Elombi said the event must be used to expand regional value chains, increase value addition to Africa’s resources, and create more jobs across the continent.
He emphasized that deeper trade among African countries will be essential to unlocking the continent’s economic potential, noting that when African nations trade and build together, the opportunities for transformation are limitless.