The 4th edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2025 has concluded successfully, surpassing all targets, with $48.3 billion worth of deals signed, according to Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria and chairman of IATF.
With a total of 132 participating countries, including 49 from Africa and 21 non-African countries, IATF2025 proved to be a truly global platform for economic engagement and business networking.
The fair attracted 2,148 exhibitors, exceeding the projected target of 2,000. Of these, 1,923 were physical exhibitors, while 225 participated virtually, a hybrid format that reflects the growing digital shift in global trade.
A standout highlight of IATF2025 was the signing of $48.3 billion worth of trade and investment deals, surpassing the initial $44 billion target. Algeria alone accounted for $11.4 billion in signed contracts, representing 23.6 percent of the total, with an additional $11.6 billion in potential export opportunities for Algerian companies still in the pipeline.
High-level political engagement marked the event, with the participation of 20 African Heads of State and Government, including 14 Presidents, six national representatives, and 41 ministers and deputy ministers, underscoring the strategic importance of intra-African trade and investment.
Over the course of the fair, more than 112,000 participants engaged both physically and virtually. The physical attendance reached 60,650, while virtual participation was bolstered by platforms such as IATF Virtual (29,682 participants) and Afreximbank TV Virtual (22,144 participants).
Themed days were another major feature, with nine special focus days highlighting various national and sectoral priorities. These included Algeria Day, Arise Industrial Day, Dangote Day, and Global Africa Day, as well as spotlight days for countries such as Kenya, Tunisia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Côte d’Ivoire.
“This level of participation and commitment from across the continent and beyond clearly demonstrates that Africa is open for business and committed to deeper economic integration,” said a spokesperson for the event organisers.
The IATF2025 performance sets a high bar for IATF2027, with organisers aiming to expand partnerships, increase buyer participation, and deliver an even greater impact for African businesses on the global stage.
In his closing remarks, Obasanjo described the fair as “a celebration” and “a culmination of vibrant exchanges, dynamic partnerships, and a shared vision for a prosperous Africa anchored in peace and security.”
“From the post-exhibition showcases to the insightful panel discussions, IATF 2025 has fulfilled every expectation and met the targets we set for ourselves,” he said. “We leave here with a deep sense of accomplishment.”
At the end of the closing ceremony, a press conference was addressed by Larbi Letreche, Commissioner General, Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025), Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Benedict Oramah, President of Afreximbank, and Jean-Louis Ekra, former president, Afreximbank & vice chairman IATF Advisory Council.
Ekra said, “In Cairo, Durban, and now Algiers, the achievements we’ve seen clearly show that the IATF is a powerful and effective tool for advancing African trade. Going forward, our immediate focus must be on ensuring that the approximately $50 billion worth of transactions signed here are fully implemented. Turning these signed commitments into executed deals will be our first real success.”
Mene said, “Thank you again to the government and people of Algeria for hosting such a successful trade fair. This event has truly laid a strong foundation for the next IATF in Lagos. The $50 billion in transactions concluded here is a strong indicator of the platform’s growing influence.
“Every transaction undertaken at IATF is supported by trade rules, rules designed to make African trade more affordable and accessible, especially for small enterprises and youth. We will activate protocols like the Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade and the Protocol on Investment to ensure real impact.”
For Oramah, he said, “since the inaugural event in 2018, we’ve taken significant steps. What started as a vision has now become a permanent institution actively addressing the trade challenges facing our continent.”
He said in every metric, buyers, exhibitors, countries, deal volume, this edition has been the most successful. However, the true test lies in implementation. Afreximbank will follow up on each deal, ensuring that by Lagos 2027, most are executed, financed, and facilitated, he added.
