Nigeria: Nigeria has secured the right to host the fifth edition of the biannual Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) in 2027, with a pledge to accelerate and transform intra-African trade and investment. The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, affirmed Nigeria’s pride at the development during the host agreement signing ceremony in Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the IATF, under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), serves as a marketplace that brings together continental and global players to explore business and investment opportunities in Africa. The fifth edition of the fair is scheduled to hold from Nov. 5 to Nov. 11, 2027, in Lagos. In just four editions, the IATF has generated more than $167 billion in trade and investment deals.
Oduwole said in preparation for the IATF 2027, Nigeria had crossed the five-year mark since the commencement of AfCFTA implementation. She noted that Nigeria is proud to be the first AfCFTA State Party to complete its five-year implementation review in 2025, an obligation under the agreement.
The minister also emphasized that the country was focusing on women and youths to ensure the Nigerian market remains inclusive. She highlighted that the work ahead of Nigeria and other AfCFTA State Parties was critical for the continent’s survival and prosperity. Oduwole assured that Nigeria’s hosting of IATF 2027 would mark a defining moment in accelerating and transforming intra-African trade and investment. She expressed Nigeria’s intention to exceed the level of transactions recorded at previous editions of the trade fair and deepen economic collaboration across the continent.
Oduwole added that Nigeria had launched a dedicated AfCFTA air cargo export corridor with Uganda Airlines to ensure Nigerian goods reach buyers in East and Southern Africa efficiently. As co-champion of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade, Nigeria has collaborated with Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Africa to pilot solutions for seamless cross-border trade and mobility of digital services.
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairman of the IATF 2027 Advisory Council, highlighted the historic significance of bringing the fair to Lagos, where African leaders signed the Lagos Plan of Action for Economic Development. He praised the efforts of the Federal Government, the Lagos State Government, and the private sector in securing the hosting rights and reaffirmed the council’s commitment to a successful fair.
Dr George Elombi, President of the African Export-Import Bank, described Nigeria as a nation with a vibrant spirit and projected that the 2027 edition would attract more than 100,000 visitors. He emphasized the importance of the platform in growing trade and investment across the continent and boosting intra-African trade.