Zimbabwe to Host IATF Headquarters

Pauline Dikuelo | Wednesday September 10, 2025 13:15

The announcement was made here by outgoing Afreximbank president, Professor Benedict Oramah, during the ongoing 4th edition of the IATF in Algiers, Algeria.

“The Advisory Council has approved that Harare, Zimbabwe, be the new headquarters of an independent IATF entity. I thank all the countries that bid to host for their effort and also the spirit of sportsmanship that was exhibited throughout the entire process,” he stated.

Oramah commended the Government of Zimbabwe for submitting a compelling bid and expressed confidence that the country would work closely with the Advisory Council to establish the IATF as a fully independent and sustainable institution.

To support the initiative, he revealed that the Board of Afreximbank had approved an initial capitalisation of US$28 million.

He further appealed to African governments, corporations, and financial institutions to back the organisation in its formative years, stressing that such support would be crucial in ensuring its long-term sustainability.

The IATF was established by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the African Union Commission (AUC), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat to serve as a key driver of intra-Africa trade. Since its inception in 2018, the Fair has successfully held four editions, providing a unique platform for businesses, policymakers, and investors across the continent and beyond.

“Intra-African Trade Fair, through its four editions since 2018, has proven to be a solid platform for launching winning ideas and initiatives, forging continental and global partnerships, unlocking critical funding, and visualising unprecedented market opportunities,” Oramah said.

He added that the IATF is positioning itself as a transformative vehicle for Africa’s economic independence, cutting across divisions of geography, gender and social status.

With Harare set to host the IATF headquarters, the move is expected to further strengthen Zimbabwe’s role in advancing Africa’s trade integration agenda while reinforcing the continent’s collective push towards sustainable economic development.