Nigeria signs agreement to host 2027 Intra-African Trade Fair, targets $50 billion in deals

Nigeria has signed a hosting agreement for the fifth Intra-African Trade Fair 2027, taking over from Algeria, which held the 2025 edition that generated nearly US$50 billion in trade and investment deals.

The agreement was signed in Lagos on Monday, the designated host city, in partnership with the African Export-Import Bank, the African Union Commission and the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, underscoring Nigeria’s role in advancing intra-African trade and regional economic integration.

Scheduled for November 5–11, 2027, IATF2027 is targeting US$50 billion in trade and investment deals, 100,000 visitors, 2,500 exhibitors and participation from more than 100 countries. The fair will run under the theme “Global Africa Repositioned – From Market Access to Market,” and will include trade exhibitions, an AfCFTA-focused forum, B2B and B2G platforms, Creative Africa Nexus, the Africa Automotive Show, country days, youth startup exhibitions and an Africa research and innovation hub.

Since its launch in 2018, the IATF has generated more than US$167 billion in cumulative trade and investment deals and attracted over 180,000 visitors from 132 countries.

Delivering opening remarks at the ceremony, former Nigerian President and IATF2027 Advisory Council chairperson, Olusegun Obasanjo, said the 2027 event would be significant for the continent amid efforts to strengthen economic sovereignty.

“The signing of this hosting agreement marks a significant milestone for Nigeria and for the continent,” he said. “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,” Obasanjo said.

Afreximbank President, George Elombi, praised Nigeria’s industrial capacity and entrepreneurial depth, saying they made the country a natural host.

“Nigeria’s vibrant entrepreneurial spirit gives us confidence that IATF2027 in Lagos will be a remarkable event that strengthens trade and investment across the continent,” he said.

Federal Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole said hosting the fair comes at a time when the global trading system faces major challenges.

“As we prepare to host Africa’s largest marketplace in Lagos in 2027, we have an opportunity not only to reflect on our reality, but to design the future of African trade integration and economic transformation,” she said.

Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest economies, combines a significant resource base—including oil, gas, solid minerals and agricultural commodities—with a large SME sector, positioning it to drive regional value chains under the AfCFTA.

AfcFTA Secretariat official Cynthia E. Gnassingbé-Essonam said Nigeria’s hosting of IATF2027 was “timely and significant,” adding that the success of the trade fair would support efforts to operationalise the AfCFTA.

AU Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, Francisca Tatchoup Belobe, said the 2027 edition should aim to boost connectivity and accelerate intra-African trade.

“We should therefore aim very high in 2027, especially as the IATF takes place in Nigeria, the most populous African country and one of the continent’s largest economies,” she said.

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