The Federal Republic of Nigeria has formally signed the host agreement to stage the fifth edition of the Intra‑African Trade Fair 2027 (IATF2027), which will take place in Lagos from 5 to 11 November 2027.
L-R: Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade & Export Development, Afreximbank; H.E.Francisca Tatchouop Belobe Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, African Union Commission; Dr. George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chair, IATF, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister for Industry, Trade, and Investment; Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State; Cynthia Gnassingbe, Director Partnerships and Private Sector AFCFTA; Lois Ekra, Deputy Chair, IATF and Joseph Ifebunandu, Head, Banking Legal Services, Afreximbank during the Intra-African Trade Fair 2027 (IATF2027) Host signing ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria, held March 9. Source: Afreximbank
The agreement was signed in partnership with the African Export‑Import Bank (Afreximbank), the African Union Commission, and the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, reinforcing Nigeria’s role in promoting trade and economic integration across the continent.
The signing ceremony was held in Lagos, the designated host city, marking the handover from Algeria, which hosted the previous edition in 2023. That event generated approximately $49.94 billion in trade and investment deals, underscoring the scale and economic significance of the trade fair.
IATF2027 is expected to be one of the largest business and investment gatherings on the continent. Organisers are targeting more than $50 billion in trade and investment deals, 100,000 visitors, 2,500 exhibitors, and participation from over 100 countries. The event will be held under the theme “Global Africa, Smart Trade – From Market Access to Market Power.”
The programme will feature a wide range of activities, including large-scale trade exhibitions, an AfCFTA-focused trade and investment forum, and platforms for business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) engagement. Additional initiatives will include the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme highlighting Africa’s creative industries, the Africa Automotive Show, an AU Youth Start-up Pavilion supporting emerging entrepreneurs, and the Africa Research & Innovation Hub for academic and research collaboration.
Since its launch in 2018, the Intra‑African Trade Fair has become a key platform for facilitating trade and investment across the continent. Across its first four editions, the event has generated more than $167 billion in trade and investment deals and attracted over 180,000 visitors from 132 countries. The initiative was created to support the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to create a single market for goods and services across Africa.
Delivering remarks at the signing ceremony, H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria and Chairperson of the IATF2027 Advisory Council, highlighted the significance of hosting the event in Lagos.
“The signing of this host agreement marks a momentous milestone for Nigeria and for the continent. Bringing IATF2027 to Lagos is historically significant, as this city hosted the Lagos Plan of Action adopted in 1980, which championed Africa’s industrialisation and economic self-sufficiency. We have to work hard to keep moving towards the Africa we want. I am confident that IATF2027 will surpass all previous editions in both scope and impact as we advance our shared goal for a unified African marketplace under the AfCFTA.”
Officials from Nigeria and continental institutions said the event will provide an opportunity to strengthen regional supply chains, promote investment, and support the implementation of the AfCFTA framework. Nigeria’s government also indicated that hosting the fair aligns with its broader strategy to expand intra-African trade and attract international investment.
Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest economies and plays a significant role in regional trade due to its population size, natural resources, and growing industrial sector. The country is a major producer of oil and gas and has significant reserves of minerals such as iron ore, gold, lithium, and limestone, alongside a large agricultural sector and a rapidly expanding small- and medium-enterprise ecosystem.
Organisers say the 2027 edition of the trade fair aims to deepen collaboration among African governments, businesses, and investors while helping companies access new markets across the continent and beyond.
