Nigeria has signed a hosting agreement with African Export‑Import Bank (Afreximbank), the African Union Commission(AUC), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat to host the 2027 Intra‑African Trade Fair (IATF2027) in Lagos. The agreement was formalised at a ceremony held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Lagos, setting the stage for one of Africa’s largest trade and investment events.
Scheduled for November 5 to 11, 2027, IATF2027 is targeting US$50 billion in trade and investment deals, drawing 100,000 visitors and 2,500 exhibitors from over 100 countries. The fair will be held under the theme “Global Africa Repositioned – From Market Access to Market.” It aims to position Africa as a unified market and accelerate the implementation of the AfCFTA.
“This hosting agreement reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to advancing intra‑African trade and accelerating the implementation of AfCFTA,” said representatives at the signing. Lagos will also host the Creative Africa Nexus 2026 (CANEX) this year, another Afreximbank initiative designed to spotlight Africa’s creative economy and build momentum toward IATF2027.
The IATF is Africa’s premier trade and investment platform. Past editions have recorded significant milestones. The fourth Intra‑African Trade Fair (IATF2025), held in Algiers, Algeria, delivered US$48.3 billion in trade and investment deals, attracted more than 112,000 visitors from 132 countries, and involved 958 buyers. The success of IATF2025 has raised expectations for the Lagos event.
IATF2027 will feature diverse programmes aimed at deepening economic integration and expanding trade opportunities. These include trade exhibitions highlighting goods and services from across the continent, an AfCFTA‑focused trade and investment forum, and Global Africa Day, which seeks to strengthen economic ties with the African diaspora. The weeklong event will also host a Business‑to‑Business (B2B) and Business‑to‑Government (B2G) platform to foster partnerships and mobilise capital.
Additional components of IATF2027 include the Creative Africa Nexus, a showcase of Africa’s cultural and creative industries; the Sub‑Sovereign Governments Network, which will support regional and local government integration; and the Africa Automotive Show, which highlights the continent’s growing industrial capacity.
A new feature of the 2027 fair will be the AU Youth Start‑up Pavilion, a space for young African entrepreneurs to present innovations and secure investment. The Africa Research and Innovation Hub (ARIH) will also bring together academia, researchers and industry leaders to explore forward‑looking economic solutions.
The hosting agreement highlighted Nigeria’s strategic interest in boosting intra‑African trade and investment. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented at the event by Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr Jumoke Oduwole, expressed delight at Nigeria’s opportunity to host IATF2027. Dr Oduwole said Nigeria stands fully prepared to deliver a successful event that will transform the AfCFTA marketplace, build trust among business communities, support job creation and deepen international trade relations.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr George Elombi, President of Afreximbank, emphasised the significance of Nigeria’s role. He said Afreximbank knew “an elephant had been cited” upon choosing Nigeria, signalling both the scale and ambition of the fair. He thanked President Tinubu for supporting the country’s nomination and pledged Afreximbank’s backing to ensure the event’s success.
READ ALSO: Afreximbank Provides $1.75 Billion Financing Facility to Strengthen Angola’s Energy Sector
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, chairman of the IATF 2027 Advisory Board, commended President Tinubu, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo‑Olu and private sector stakeholders for their leadership. Sanwo‑Olu assured that both CANEX 2026 and IATF 2027 would be among the continent’s best events, showcasing Lagos as a hub for trade, creativity and innovation.
Afreximbank and continental partners say IATF2027 has the potential to transform Africa’s trade landscape. By drawing traders, investors and policymakers together, the fair is expected to catalyse business deals, foster cross‑border investment, and support industrial partnerships.
The event’s ambitious targets reflect Nigeria’s broader vision for economic integration and expansion. Business leaders say the fair could open doors for new markets, heighten export opportunities and strengthen value chains across industries from agriculture and manufacturing to technology and services.
WATCH:
As the countdown to November 2027 begins, stakeholders across Africa are gearing up for what organisers describe as a defining moment in the continent’s economic history. With Nigeria at the helm, IATF2027 is set to solidify Africa’s shift toward a unified, competitive and connected marketplace.
