On April 15, 2024, Algiers hosted the official signing for the 2025 Intra-African Trade Fair [IATF2025], setting the stage for its fourth instalment scheduled for September 4-10, 2025. This event, organized by the African Export-Import Bank [Afreximbank] alongside the African Union, the AfCFTA Secretariat, and the Algerian government, will once again transform Algiers into a pivotal hub for trade and investment in Africa.
During the ceremony, former Nigerian President and IATF2025 Advisory Council Chair, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, praised the fair as a cornerstone event for trade and investment in Africa. He emphasized that the agreement not only signifies a contractual commitment but also a shared dedication to fostering innovation and excellence within the African trade community.
Mr. Chiza Charles Chiumya, representing Ambassador Albert Muchanga, Commissioner for Trade and Industry African Union Commission, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade Bank – Afreximbank, H.E. Tayeb Zitouni, Minister of Trade and Export Promotion – Government of Algeria and Mr. Chawki Jaballi, Representing H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary General AfCFTA Secretariat
Standing from left to right:
H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairperson of the IATF2025 Advisory Council and Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, H.E. Nadir Larbaoui, Prime Minister of Algeria and Joseph Ifebunandu, Senior Manager Legal, Afreximbank .
Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President of Afreximbank, highlighted the fair’s role in realizing the AfCFTA vision, noting that it has generated over USD 120 billion in trade and investment deals through its past three editions. She expressed gratitude to the Algerian government for its continuous support.
Statements from H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, and H.E. Ambassador Albert Muchanga, African Union Commissioner, echoed the sentiment that the fair is a strategic initiative against trade barriers, promoting economic growth and unity across the continent.
The ceremony, attended by diverse stakeholders from the public and private sectors, also served as a promotional platform for the upcoming event. Participants had the chance to visit the Algerian Company of Fairs and Exports [SAFEX], the venue for the next fair, underscoring the fair’s role in enhancing trade relations and economic development in Africa.
