Nigeria signs IATF 2027 host agreement, set for Africa’s biggest marketplace under AfCFTA

The Federal Government has signed the hosting agreement for the fifth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2027), officially positioning Nigeria as the next host of Africa’s largest trade and investment marketplace.

The agreement was signed on Monday in Lagos, the designated host city, in partnership with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the African Union Commission, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.

The event formally passes the hosting baton to Nigeria from Algeria, which hosted the fourth edition in 2025 and recorded $49.94 billion in trade and investment deals.

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Scheduled to take place from November 5 to November 11, 2027, the upcoming edition is projected to attract over 100,000 visitors, 2,500 exhibitors, and participants from more than 100 countries, with a target of generating over $50 billion in trade and investment deals.

**What they are saying **

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who chairs the IATF2027 Advisory Council, described the agreement as a major milestone for both Nigeria and the African continent.

He highlighted Lagos’ historical significance in Africa’s economic integration journey, noting that the city previously hosted the Lagos Plan of Action, a key framework that championed Africa’s industrialisation and economic self-sufficiency.

• “The signing of this hosting agreement marks a significant milestone for Nigeria and for the continent. Bringing IATF2027 to Lagos is historically significant,” Obasanjo said.
• _“I am confident that IATF2027 will surpass all previous editions in both scope and impact as we advance our shared goal of a unified African marketplace under the AfCFTA.” _

President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, Dr. George Elombi, also commended Nigeria’s leadership in advancing intra-African trade.

• _“When we proclaimed Nigeria as the next host of the Intra-African Trade Fair, we knew that a mighty elephant had been sighted,” _Elombi said.
• _“Nigeria’s entrepreneurial energy and industrial capacity give us confidence that IATF 2027 will strengthen trade and investment across Africa.” _

He noted that the trade fair aims to expand Africa’s single market by building regional value chains, creating jobs, and fostering economic prosperity across the continent.

Get up to speed

The 2027 trade fair will be held under the theme “_Global Africa Repositioned – From Market Access to Market.” _

The event will feature a wide range of programmes designed to promote trade and investment across Africa. These include large-scale trade exhibitions, an AfCFTA-focused trade and investment forum, and the Global Africa Day, which aims to strengthen ties between Africa and its diaspora.

Other highlights include Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Government (B2G) networking sessions, the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) platform for Africa’s creative industries, and the Africa Automotive Show.

The fair will also feature the AU Youth Start-up Pavilion, showcasing innovative African start-ups, and the Africa Research and Innovation Hub, which connects researchers, universities, and policymakers.

Since its launch in 2018, the Intra-African Trade Fair has generated over $167 billion in trade and investment deals and attracted more than 180,000 participants from 132 countries.

**More insights **

Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said hosting the trade fair comes at a critical time when the global trading system is facing increasing uncertainties.

She emphasized that the event provides an opportunity for Africa to reshape its economic future through deeper regional trade integration under the AfCFTA.

• “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 also to design the future of African trade integration,” she said.
• _“IATF 2027 will be a defining moment in accelerating intra-African trade and investment.” _

Officials from the AfCFTA Secretariat also highlighted Nigeria’s importance in continental trade due to its large market size, natural resources, industrial capacity, and vibrant SME sector.

Nigeria’s role as a major producer of oil and gas, solid minerals such as limestone, iron ore, gold and lithium, as well as key agricultural commodities, places it at the centre of regional value chain development and economic integration efforts.

**What you should know **

The fourth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair held in Algiers in 2025 attracted more than 112,000 visitors from 132 countries, both physically and virtually.

• A total of 958 buyers participated in the event, while 2,148 exhibitors showcased products and services across multiple sectors.
• The host country, Algeria, accounted for $11.4 billion, representing 23.6% of the total deals signed during the trade fair.

Nigeria now aims to surpass these results in 2027, positioning Lagos as the hub of Africa’s largest marketplace and a key driver of trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

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