Nigeria to host 2027 intra-african trade fair in Lagos

The Federal Government has signed the hosting agreement for the fifth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2027), with Lagos selected as the official host city for the continental trade and investment event.

The agreement was signed on Tuesday in Lagos in partnership with African Export-Import Bank, African Union Commission and the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat.

The signing ceremony also marked Nigeria’s formal takeover of the hosting baton from Algeria, which hosted the fourth edition of the fair that generated $49.94bn in trade and investment deals.

Scheduled to take place from November 5 to 11, 2027, in Lagos, the event is targeting $50bn in trade and investment deals, 100,000 visitors, 2,500 exhibitors and participants from more than 100 countries.

The fair will hold under the theme, “Global Africa Repositioned – From Market Access to Market,” and will feature trade exhibitions, an AfCFTA-focused trade and investment forum, Global Africa Day aimed at strengthening ties with the African diaspora, as well as business-to-business and business-to-government platforms.

Other highlights include the Creative Africa Nexus showcasing the continent’s creative economy, the Sub-Sovereign Governments Network for regional and local government integration, country and private sector special days, the Africa Automotive Show, the AU Youth Start-up Pavilion and the Africa Research and Innovation Hub for academics and researchers.

Speaking at the event, former Nigerian president and chairperson of the IATF2027 Advisory Council, Olusegun Obasanjo, described the hosting agreement as a milestone for Nigeria and the African continent.

He noted that bringing the trade fair to Lagos was historically significant because the city hosted the Lagos Plan of Action, which championed Africa’s industrialisation and economic self-sufficiency.

President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank, George Elombi, commended Nigeria for accepting to host the event, expressing confidence that the country’s strong entrepreneurial ecosystem would make the 2027 edition remarkable.

Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, said hosting the fair presents an opportunity to shape the future of African trade integration, especially under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Director of Private Sector Engagement and Communications at the AfCFTA Secretariat, Cynthia E. Gnassingbé-Essonam, noted that the trade fair has become Africa’s premier marketplace for business and investment, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers from across the continent and the diaspora.

Also speaking, the African Union Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, Francisca Belobe, said the event would help reposition Africa in the global trade landscape and boost intra-African trade.

Since its launch in 2018, the Intra-African Trade Fair has generated more than $167bn in trade and investment deals and attracted over 180,000 visitors from 132 countries across its four editions.