LAGOS, Mar 11 – Nigeria has signed the hosting agreement for the fifth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2027), taking over from Algeria, which recorded US$49.94 billion in trade and investment deals at the previous edition.
The signing took place in Lagos, the designated host city, in partnership with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), African Union Commission, and the AfCFTA Secretariat.
Scheduled for November 5–11, 2027, IATF2027 aims to attract over 100,000 visitors, 2,500 exhibitors, and participants from more than 100 countries, with organizers targeting trade and investment deals exceeding US$50 billion.
The event will feature trade exhibitions, a B2B and B2G platform, the Global Africa Day to engage the diaspora, Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) to showcase the creative economy, Africa Automotive Show, AU Youth Start-up Pavilion, and the Africa Research & Innovation Hub for academia.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, chair of the IATF2027 Advisory Council, said the event would mark a historic milestone for Nigeria and the continent, connecting Africa’s markets and industries while advancing economic self-sufficiency. He further added that IATF2027 will surpass all previous editions in both scope and impact.
Federal Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, expressed Nigeria’s commitment to delivering a successful event, noting the fair’s role in boosting intra-African trade, creating jobs, and fostering a unified African market. Afreximbank President Dr. George Elombi added that Nigeria’s industrial capacity and entrepreneurial spirit make it a natural host to drive trade and investment growth across the continent.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu assured that preparations for both CANEX 2026 and IATF2027 are on track and that the state will deliver world-class experiences for exhibitors and visitors.
Since its launch in 2018, IATF has generated over US$167 billion in trade and investment deals and welcomed more than 180,000 visitors from 132 countries. With Nigeria leading, the fifth edition is expected to be the most ambitious yet, reinforcing Africa’s trade integration under AfCFTA.
