Nigeria and other African leaders at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2027) Hosting Signing Ceremony in Lagos emphasized the need to strengthen efforts toward achieving the continent’s development goals through the trade fair.
Officials highlighted that African countries must collaborate to realize the shared vision for the continent, noting that initiatives like the IATF are vital for promoting economic cooperation, increasing intra-African trade, and fostering prosperity across Africa.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo described Nigeria’s hosting of the fifth edition of the trade fair as a key milestone for the country and the continent’s economic integration efforts. He confirmed that Nigeria has formally secured the right to host the event, which will take place from November 5 to November 11, 2027, in Lagos.
Dr George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors at Afreximbank, expressed confidence that IATF 2027 would surpass the over $50 billion in business deals recorded at the previous edition in Algiers, Algeria. He urged stakeholders to focus on the opportunities presented by the fair beyond the attention and excitement it generates.
Bola Tinubu, represented by Minister of Trade and Investment Dr Jumoke Oduwole, said the fair would serve as a major catalyst for accelerating trade and investment under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework. He noted that Nigeria has marked over five years since the start of AfCFTA implementation and was the first member state to complete its five-year review in 2025, meeting obligations under the agreement.
