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.
