Online Reporter
Kudzanai Sharara, in Algiers Algeria
The Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2025 kicked off today in Algeria with the official opening ceremony and Presidential Summit Day.
The event was officially opened by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who also serves as the Chairman of the IATF Advisory Council.
President Obasanjo said the IATF has emerged as the most important trade and investment gathering on the continent and commended the organisers for making the event possible. He revealed that the previous three editions generated a combined trade and investment total of more than US$120 billion.
“The IATF is more than an event — it is a symbol of Africa’s economic awakening, where the power of trade and investment unifies us from across regions of the African continent and breathes life into the ambition of the AfCFTA,” said President Obasanjo.
He revealed that this year’s edition, which will run from the 4th to the 10th of September 2025, will see forty-eight African countries participating in exhibitions, the largest number since the IATF began in 2018. “We have achieved one significant measure of the best,” said President Obasanjo.
He commended Algerian President His Excellency Abdelmadjid Tebboune, together with his government, for graciously working hand in hand with Afreximbank, the African Union Commission, and the AfCFTA Secretariat to successfully convene this year’s event.
“Mr President, we commend you for your leadership and vision in driving trade development in various sectors of the economy such as energy, healthcare, industrialisation, agribusiness, technology and innovation,” said President Obasanjo in reference to President Tebboune.
Zimbabwe’s Participation and Strategic Partnerships
Organised by Afreximbank, in collaboration with the African Union Commission and the AfCFTA Secretariat, IATF2025 is the premier platform for African businesses, investors, and policymakers to engage, collaborate, and transform Africa’s trade landscape.
This year’s edition is running under the theme “Gateway to New Opportunities,” and aims to secure trade and investment agreements valued at more than US$44 billion. According to the organisers, IATF2025 connects over 1.4 billion people across the continent, unlocking trade, investment, and growth opportunities across key sectors—including manufacturing, ICT, energy, finance, health, and the creative economy.
Zimbabwe is also participating in this year’s event, with ZimTrade, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, facilitating the participation of 25 firms in its efforts to increase national exports by at least 10 per cent annually, from US$4,5 billion in 2018 to US$14 billion by 2030, which is in line with Zimbabwe’s National Export Strategy.
This year’s programme is packed with unmissable moments, including a Zimbabwe-Algeria Business Forum, a crucial component of the ongoing diplomatic and economic cooperation between the two nations. According to ZimTrade, the Zimbabwe-Algeria Business Forum follows the recent creation of a joint business council at the 4th session of the Algeria-Zimbabwe Joint Cooperation Commission, which included a state visit to Algeria by His Excellency, President ED Mnangagwa, in July of this year.
“The Joint Business Council is designed to enhance collaboration, foster closer ties between economic operators, and reform trade exchange mechanisms,” ZimTrade said in a press release. “The focus is on leveraging the continental free trade agreement to boost bilateral trade and position Zimbabwe as a potential industrial and logistics hub for Algerian companies in the Southern African region.”
Other notable highlights of this year’s programme include the Global Africa Diaspora Day, celebrating the continent’s ties with its diaspora; as well as Arise Industrialisation Day, driving value addition; Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX), spotlighting the power of Africa’s cultural industries; the Africa Automotive Show, uniting the continent’s automotive manufacturing ecosystem; the Dangote Pavilion and Dangote Special Day, celebrating intra-African trade and industrial champions; and the AU Youth Start-Up platform, empowering the next generation of African entrepreneurs.
Additionally, on stage will be some of the most influential voices shaping the future of Africa and the Caribbean. Among the confirmed speakers are Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organization; Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group; Dr Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre; Ralph Mupita, President and Group CEO of MTN Group; Adewale Tinubu, CEO of Oando Plc; and Kola Olajide, CEO of SAVA.
Nigeria is expected to host the next IATF in 2027.
