‘Intra-African trade critical to unlocking continent’s industrial potential’
Staff Writer | Wednesday August 13, 2025 06:00
Speaking ahead of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025), he emphasised that accelerating intra-African trade was critical to unlocking the continent’s industrial potential and strengthening its global competitiveness. “When African nations trade more with one another, they retain more wealth, create jobs, and ensure sustainable, inclusive growth,” Oramah noted. This year’s event, which is organised by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, is expected to bring together more than 2,000 exhibitors from across Africa and beyond.
Equally, it is projected to generate over $44 billion in trade and investment deals, cementing its role as Africa’s premier platform for intra-continental commerce and economic cooperation. Since its inception in 2018, the IATF has facilitated more than US$100 billion in trade agreements, attracted over 70,000 visitors, and hosted more than 4,500 exhibitors. The 2025 edition is expected to build on this momentum, offering a powerful platform for African and international businesses to showcase their goods and services, connect with potential partners, and explore investment opportunities. The fair, which will take place in September, will present a rich programme that includes a trade exhibition showcasing goods and services from across the continent, the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) highlighting Africa’s cultural industries such as fashion, music, film, sports, gastronomy, arts and crafts, and literature, as well as a four-day Trade and Investment Forum addressing key issues in Africa’s economic integration. The Africa Automotive Show will spotlight the continent’s growing automotive sector, while Special Country Days and Global Africa Day celebrations will offer targeted market exposure.
Business-to-business and business-to-government matchmaking sessions will connect enterprises with decision-makers, and the AU Youth Start-Up Programme will promote entrepreneurship among young Africans. The Africa Research and Innovation Hub will showcase cutting-edge solutions, AfSNET will foster sub-national trade and cultural exchange, and IATF Virtual will provide opportunities for online participation. At its core, IATF2025 aligns with the objectives of the AfCFTA, which seeks to create a single African market of 1.4 billion people, enabling economies of scale, improving competitiveness, and reducing dependence on external markets. By fostering regional value chains, the fair is expected to drive value addition within Africa, generate high-quality jobs, and enhance the continent’s resilience to global economic shifts. The gathering, which is open to African and non-African businesses alike, will serve as a meeting ground for stakeholders committed to advancing Africa’s transformation through industrialisation, export development, and strategic investment partnerships.