Nigeria to Host Intra-African Trade Fair 2027 in Lagos, with $50 Billion Trade and Investment Ambition
Nigeria is preparing to host one of the continent’s largest economic gatherings. The Federal Republic of Nigeria has officially signed the host agreement for the fifth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2027), scheduled to take place from 5 to 11 November 2027 in Lagos, confirming the country’s ambition to play a leading role in accelerating intra-African trade.
The agreement signing ceremony took place 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 Secretariat. The initiative reinforces Nigeria’s strategic position in advancing trade and economic integration across the continent under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Nigeria takes over from Algeria, which hosted the fourth edition of the fair and recorded US$49.94 billion in trade and investment deals, highlighting the growing importance of the event as a driver of continental commerce.
Targeting $50 billion in trade and investment deals
The fifth edition of the fair aims to generate more than US$50 billion in trade and investment deals, while attracting over 100,000 visitors, 2,500 exhibitors and participants from more than 100 countries.
Held under the theme “Global Africa, Smart Trade – From Market Access to Market Power”, IATF2027 will feature an extensive programme including:
- large-scale trade exhibitions,
- an AfCFTA-focused trade and investment forum,
- Global Africa Day aimed at strengthening ties with the African diaspora,
- Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Government (B2G) meetings,
- the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) platform dedicated to the creative economy,
- a Sub-Sovereign Governments Network promoting cooperation among regional and local authorities,
- country and sector-specific days highlighting trade, investment, tourism and cultural opportunities,
- the Africa Automotive Show,
- the AU Youth Start-up Pavilion for African entrepreneurs,
- and the Africa Research & Innovation Hub (ARIH) bringing together academia and research institutions.
A rapidly growing continental trade platform
Since its launch in 2018, the Intra-African Trade Fair has become a central marketplace for African business and investment. Across its four editions, the event has generated over US$167 billion in trade and investment deals and welcomed more than 180,000 visitors from 132 countries.
According to Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairperson of the IATF2027 Advisory Council and former President of Nigeria, bringing the fair to Lagos carries strong historical significance.
He noted that the city hosted the Lagos Plan of Action in 1980, a landmark strategy that promoted Africa’s industrialisation and economic self-reliance. In his view, IATF2027 could mark another milestone in the continent’s journey toward a unified African marketplace under the AfCFTA.
Nigeria’s growing influence in intra-African trade
Commenting on Nigeria’s expanding role in continental commerce, Jumoke Oduwole, Federal Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, emphasised that the fair represents a strategic opportunity to accelerate Africa’s economic transformation.
She highlighted that the event will provide a platform not only to reflect on the current state of African trade but also to shape the future of regional integration, at a time when the global trading system faces major challenges.
A natural host for Africa’s largest trade marketplace
For George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, Nigeria’s entrepreneurial dynamism and industrial capacity make it a natural host for the 2027 edition.
He stressed that the fair is designed to strengthen the development of pan-African value chains, create employment and unlock new opportunities for economic transformation across the continent.
Nigeria’s importance in the AfCFTA framework is reinforced by its large domestic market, vast natural resources and diversified economic base. As a leading producer of oil, gas, and solid minerals such as limestone, iron ore, gold and lithium, the country also benefits from a vibrant SME ecosystem that plays a growing role in intra-African trade.
A key milestone for the AfCFTA agenda
From the perspective of the African Union, Francisca Tatchoup Belobe, AU Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, described the fair as more than a business event.
She noted that IATF is a strategic instrument for boosting intra-African trade, which still represents a relatively small share of the continent’s total trade flows.
Representing the AfCFTA Secretariat, Cynthia E. Gnassingbé-Essonam, speaking on behalf of Secretary-General Wamkele Mene, added that Nigeria’s hosting of the event will strengthen collective efforts to operationalise the AfCFTA and deepen regional value chains.
With the 2027 edition set to take place in Lagos, the city is expected to become Africa’s largest temporary marketplace, bringing together businesses, investors and policymakers from across the continent and the diaspora to accelerate Africa’s trade integration and industrial development.
