The fourth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025) is scheduled to take place at Palais des Expositions in the heart of the Algerian capital, Algiers, from September 4-10, 2025.
It will be the biggest gathering of industry captains, entrepreneurs, and government officials from across the continent.
Dubbed as the ultimate marketplace for African businesses, investors, entrepreneurs and a game-changer for intra-African trade, IATF2025 is organised by the African Export – Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with the African Union Commission and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.
Over 35,000 visitors from more than 140 countries are expected at the weeklong fair that has become Africa’s premier trade and investment event with more than 2,000 exhibitors from the continent and beyond. IATF2025 is projected to translate into trade and investment deals worth over US$44billion across ICT, energy, finance, health, and creative industries.
IATF2025 aims to tap into opportunities from the AfCFTA single market of more than 1.4billion people and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of over US$3.5 trillion by providing a sustainable platform for accessing trade and market information, while promoting intra-African trade and investment.
A huge opportunity abounds at IATF2025 for African businesses to tap into – to market their goods and services, grow sales and market share, gather feedback, expand to new markets, enhance knowledge and exchange ideas with peers.
The theme of IATF2025 is ‘Gateway to new opportunities’. In addition to the trade exhibition by countries and businesses, it promises a packed programme with activities geared towards promoting intra-African trade and investment.
Some of the activities lined up for IATF2025 include 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.
The Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme will be hosting the largest gathering of creatives from Global Africa with a dedicated exhibition and summit on fashion, music, film, arts and craft, sports, literature, gastronomy and culinary arts.
Special days will also be held, dedicated for countries as well as public and private entities to showcase trade and investment opportunities, and tourism and cultural attractions, as well as Global Africa Day to highlight commercial and cultural ties between Africa and its diaspora, featuring a Diaspora Summit, market and exhibition, cultural and gastronomic showcase.
Also planned are 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 Hub @IATF targeting academia and allowing national researchers to exhibit their innovations and research projects; and the African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network (AfSNET) to promote trade, investment, educational and cultural exchanges and effective and active engagement on the development of African regions, among sub-sovereign in the context of the AfCFTA.
The IATF Virtual platform is already live, connecting exhibitors and visitors throughout the year. IATF2025 follows a well-beaten path that dates back to as early as 1963, when the role of trade fairs in promoting intra-African trade was recognized by the founding fathers of the African Union (AU), then known as Organization of Africa Unity (OAU).
