More than 1.4 billion consumers, billions of dollars in potential trade, and a shared ambition: to make intra-African trade a true engine of growth. Africa is preparing for one of its largest economic gatherings. Nigeria will host in 2027 the fifth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair, a major platform aimed at accelerating trade and investment across the continent. The first step took place on Monday, March 9, 2026, in Lagos, with the official signing of the hosting agreement between the Nigerian government, African Export-Import Bank, the African Union Commission, and the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat.
Here in Lagos, Nigeria’s economic capital, Nigerian authorities and pan-African institutions took a symbolic yet strategic step on March 9, 2026: the signing of the agreement that will make Nigeria the host country of the Intra-African Trade Fair in 2027. For one week, this platform is expected to bring together thousands of companies, investors and decision-makers from across the continent and the diaspora. The objective is clear: to transform the opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area into concrete contracts, investments and partnerships for the African economy. For the organizers, the event goes far beyond a simple trade exhibition. It represents a powerful lever to accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“I’m confident that the event here in Nigeria will surpass the $50 billion in business generated and foster even more successful partnerships, boosting tri-African trade and investment and create jobs for our people. The IETF places our transformation, Africa’s own transformation, in our own hands, in the hands of Africa.”
GEORGE ELOMBI, President of Afreximbank – Cameroon
Since its creation, the Intra-African Trade Fair has established itself as the leading platform for African economic exchanges. The first edition was held in Cairo in 2018, followed by Durban in South Africa in 2021, then again in Cairo in 2023, and the fourth edition in Algiers in 2025. Together, these four previous editions generated more than 118 billion US dollars in trade and investment deals, while attracting more than 70,000 visitors and nearly 4,500 exhibitors.
“We at the African Union Commission reaffirm our unwavering commitment to work in a collaborative manner with all the members of the Advisory Council to make the IATF2027 an event that will ignite a new momentum for Africa’s investment, industrialization, and trade with herself in the context of the Africa and the rest of the world.”
FRANCISCA TATCHOUOP BELOBE, Commissioner in charge of Economic Development, Trade, AU – Equatorial Guinea
The Intra-African Trade Fair is held every two years and has now become one of the continent’s leading platforms for promoting trade and investment in Africa. With 48.3 billion US dollars in trade and investment deals generated during the last edition in Algiers, the Intra-African Trade Fair is increasingly establishing itself as one of the key drivers of trade across the continent. By hosting the 2027 edition, Nigeria hopes to transform this platform into a powerful accelerator of trade at a time when Africa is seeking to unlock the full potential of its single market. A major economic gathering that could well redefine the future of African trade.
