IATF 2025: African SMEs Redefine the Future of Trade

African small businesses are rewriting the rules of trade — and this year’s Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025) in Algiers, Algeria proved it.

For decades, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) — the backbone of Africa’s economies — have struggled with limited access to markets, visibility, and financing. But with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) opening the world’s largest single market, the opportunities have never been greater.

To help them seize this moment, the International Trade Centre (ITC) brought 10 trailblazing entrepreneurs from across Africa to IATF 2025, held from 4–10 September in Algiers, Algeria. Spanning agribusiness, fashion, tech, and beauty, these businesses showed that African SMEs are ready to compete, collaborate, and capture global markets.

“When African entrepreneurs are given the right platform and access, they don’t just participate — they lead, inspire, and transform markets. ITC is proud to stand by them, every step of the way,” said ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton.

The fair drew more than 100,000 participants from 132 countries and generated $48 billion in trade and investment deals.

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Trailblazers Take the Spotlight

At the CANEX SME Pitch Competition, ITC-supported businesses secured two of the three top spots:

• Think Touch Solutions (Algeria) – Healthcare tech innovator, 2nd place ($6,000 prize) and secured a $200,000 investment deal from Kuwait.
• Akilas (Egypt) – Fashion brand blending heritage and modern design, 3rd place ($4,000 prize), proving global appetite for African creativity.

These wins reinforce one truth: with the right support, African SMEs don’t just compete — they win.

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Beyond the Spotlight: Real Connections

IATF was more than a stage — it was about building real business linkages. ITC-led activities included:

• Coaching: Pre- and onsite mentoring to strengthen pitching and business skills.
• Market Presence: SMEs sold out products, proving strong demand for Made in Africa goods.
• Matchmaking: Targeted sessions linked entrepreneurs with buyers, distributors, and investors.
• Peer Learning: Visits to Algerian firms provided lessons and entry strategies for North Africa.
• Market Intelligence: Entrepreneurs tested packaging, benchmarked pricing, and refined strategies.

“Thanks to ITC’s support and visibility through our customized booth, we were able to meet peers and close deals — including one worth $200,000 with Kuwait,” said Farah Bouras, Founder of Think Touch Solutions (Algeria).

“Being able to contribute my voice as an AfCFTA trading company, alongside exhibiting at IATF, confirmed the appetite for doing business in Africa,” said Nadège Uwamohoro, CEO of Braimpire Ltd. (Rwanda).

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Shaping the Future of Trade

Together with GIZ, ITC organized two masterclasses on leveraging AfCFTA and digital trade. SMEs also took part in high-level panels on AfCFTA, Africa–Caribbean trade, and digital innovation — influencing policymakers and private sector leaders alike.

On 5 September, ITC and Afreximbank renewed their MoU to deepen collaboration in supporting African SMEs and accelerate AfCFTA implementation.

Organized by Afreximbank, in collaboration with the African Union Commission and the AfCFTA Secretariat, IATF 2025 confirmed that African SMEs are not just future players — they are shaping trade today.