IATF2025: Algiers Sets Record with US$48.3 Billion in Trade, Investment Deals

The just-concluded 4th Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025)  in Algiers, Algeria, recorded US$48.3 billion in deals, bringing together business leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs to advance opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The 4th edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) wrapped up in Algiers, Algeria, with a record-breaking $48.3 billion in trade and investment deals, cementing its position as Africa’s largest and most influential trade gathering.

Hosted under the theme “Boosting Intra-African Trade for a Sustainable Future,” the fair was organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in collaboration with the African Union Commission and the AfCFTA Secretariat and hosted by the Government of Algeria. Since its debut in Cairo in 2018, IATF has steadily grown in scale and impact: US$32 billion in deals at its launch; US$42 billion in Durban (2021); US$43 billion in Cairo (2023), and now a milestone US$48.3 billion in Algiers—underscoring its pivotal role in advancing Africa’s economic integration.

The 2025 edition drew 112,000 participants (physical and virtual) from 132 countries, including 2,148 exhibitors and 958 buyers. The opening ceremony, addressed by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, welcomed 14 Heads of State and Government and more than 40 ministers and deputy ministers. For one week, Algiers became the beating heart of continental trade diplomacy, uniting governments, investors, and entrepreneurs to unlock opportunities under the AfCFTA.

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A Showcase of African Innovation, Creative Power

Beyond trade, IATF2025 offered a vibrant mix of exhibitions, panel discussions, fireside chats, and showcases. Its major highlights included the Africa Automotive Show, the Trade and Investment Forum, and Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX), which celebrated the continent’s creative industries—from music, film, and fashion to sports and gastronomy.

Country and organisation days spotlighted the economic strengths of nations, including Algeria, Kenya, Tunisia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Côte d’Ivoire, alongside industrial giants such as Arise IIP and Dangote Group. Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Government (B2G) matchmaking created new partnerships, while the AU Youth Start-Up Programme and the Africa Research and Innovation Hub gave young innovators and researchers a continental stage.

Algeria emerged as a standout beneficiary, accounting for US$11.4 billion in confirmed deals and an additional US$11.6 billion in commitments. The event also boosted Algeria’s image as a North African gateway, driving visibility for its industries and spurring growth in hospitality, logistics, and tourism.

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Tebboune Calls for a United Vision

Opening the fair, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune urged African nations to unite in shaping global economic decisions, framing IATF2025 as more than a trade fair — a symbol of Africa’s determination to chart its own course.

“Today’s gathering is more than an economic event; it reflects the collective consciousness driving us to build an integrated continent with the will and influence to shape both regional and international affairs. Algeria is proud to host this edition at a time of heightened global uncertainty, where events unfold at unprecedented speed. This fair stands as a moment to affirm Africa’s presence and its capacity to act,” he declared.

President Tebboune underscored Africa’s recent progress such as the activation of the AfCFTA and the AU’s entry into the G20 but noted the persistent marginalization of the continent in global affairs: Africa holds just 6.5% of IMF voting rights, 11% at the World Bank, and barely 3% of global trade, despite its abundant resources.

The Algerian President showcased Algeria’s regional projects — from the Trans-Saharan Highway and Algeria–Nigeria Gas Pipeline to digital infrastructure and expanded trade zones — as proof of its commitment to continental integration. “Our greatest strength is our youth. Let this fair mark a new era of unity and prosperity, driven by their creativity and innovation.”

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“IATF2025 Turning Point for Intra-African Trade” – AU Commission

Delivering remarks on behalf of the AU Commission Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson Malika Selma Haddadi described the IATF2025 as “a turning point in Africa’s trade journey,” noting that the fair comes at a crucial moment, reminding Africa to shift from raw material exports to innovation, value addition, and industrialization that can secure long-term prosperity.

Haddadi pointed to IATF’s steady growth as evidence of its importance, describing it as Africa’s “foremost investment marketplace.” She said from US$32 billion worth of deals in 2018 to US$42 billion during the pandemic, each edition has advanced economic integration and moved the continent closer to the aspirations of Agenda 2063.

Issuing a call to action under the Made in Africa theme, Haddadi urged IATF2025 participants to back their words with tangible steps. “Before you leave Algeria, commit to one partnership, remove one barrier, simplify one process, or place your trust in one African product you had not trusted before. We cannot ask the world to believe in Made in Africa if we ourselves do not believe in it.”

Haddadi closed by reaffirming the AU’s commitment to industrialization and resilience through partnerships with Afreximbank and the AfCFTA Secretariat. “Through the AfCFTA, Agenda 2063, and institutional collaborations, the African Union is determined to build an Africa that takes ownership of its economic destiny.”

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“Africa’s Second Liberation Must Be Economic” – Oramah

Outgoing Afreximbank President Prof. Benedict Oramah called for Africa’s “second liberation,” one anchored in economic sovereignty, arguing that political independence without control over trade, capital, and investment remained a “glorified servitude”, urging Africans to wage a bold and disruptive struggle for empowerment.

“Political independence without economic empowerment would be nothing but glorified servitude. To move from what Frantz Fanon called the ‘wretched of the earth’ to true owners of capital requires a bold and disruptive struggle; another epic battle, fought not with guns but in boardrooms, on factory floors, and in tech hubs across our continent,” he declared.

Oramah reflected on past IATF editions, citing major achievements like Tanzania’s $2.9 billion Rufiji Dam, the revival of Comoros’ tourism, and Nigerian entrepreneur Ndubisi Arinze Eze’s agricultural drones. “These good and encouraging things did not happen by chance. They were the fruits of a deliberate strategy, launched through Afreximbank’s Intra-African Trade Strategy. Each deal from energy and tourism to startups proves that when we trust African capital and creativity, transformation follows.”

Looking ahead, the outgoing Afreximbank chief announced that the IATF would be institutionalised as an independent entity headquartered in Harare, Zimbabwe, with initial Afreximbank support of US$28 million. While congratulating Zimbabwe for securing the bid, he stressed that the platform’s sustainability depends on strong continental backing. “The IATF must be nurtured as Africa’s own platform for liberation.”

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“Solidarity is Africa’s Strength” – AfCFTA Secretary General

AfCFTA Secretary General Wamkele Mene urged African nations to close ranks and accelerate economic integration, warning that disunity would leave the continent vulnerable in an era of global uncertainty. “Fragmentation will only weaken us, but solidarity will empower us to confront rising economic nationalism and protectionist policies with confidence and strategic foresight.”

Highlighting structural bottlenecks, Mene called for urgent investment in transport and logistics, stressing that projects such as the Single African Air Transport Market and the new AfCFTA Adjustment Fund were vital to creating the backbone of intra-African trade. “Addressing Africa’s infrastructure and connectivity gaps is not an option; it is a necessity for our economic future.”

Mene pointed to encouraging progress in diversifying trade, noting that intra-African trade had risen to more than US$220 billion in 2024, noting that manufactured goods—including cars, processed foods, chemicals, and electronics—were taking a growing share, marking a shift away from raw material dependency. “Intra-African trade is no longer a distant aspiration; it is happening and growing.”

“More Than Just a Trade Fair…” – Obasanjo

At the closing ceremony of IATF2025, former Nigerian President and IATF Advisory Council Chairman Chief Olusegun Obasanjo described the fair as a landmark in Africa’s economic journey. He hailed the event for exceeding expectations, calling it “more than just a trade fair” and a powerful testament to Africa’s shared vision for integration and prosperity.

“This event has been more than just a trade fair; it has been a testament to our shared vision for a more integrated and prosperous Africa. Over the past week, Algiers has shown us what is possible when governments, entrepreneurs, and innovators come together with a shared determination to shape Africa’s economic destiny,” Obasanjo declared.

On IATF2025 outcomes, the chair noted that while US$48.3 billion in trade and investment deals were signed, the real achievement lay in the spirit of collaboration across bustling exhibition halls and dynamic forums. “I can now say that we have not only achieved our objective, but we have surpassed all expectations… IATF2025 has shown Africa’s strength when we work together toward a common vision, not just in figures, but in the cooperation that filled every space.”

Obasanjo urged African leaders to turn commitments into action by fostering long-term alliances that drive industrialisation, digital transformation, and cross-border growth under AfCFTA. “Africa’s future depends not just on policies or ambition, but on our sustained commitment to turning shared ideas into collective action that delivers prosperity for all,” he concluded.

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Spotlight on Africa’s Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs shone at the IATF 2025 SME Pitch Awards, which highlighted startups as engines of job creation and inclusive growth.

• First Prize ($10,000): Anthonia Alabi – recognised for building a business with strong international potential.
• Second Prize ($6,000): Farah Bouras – honoured for resilience and growth vision.
• Third Prize ($4,000): Reham Adel Abdelkader – celebrated for entrepreneurial drive and courage.

Presenting the awards, Algeria’s Minister of Knowledge Economy Noureddine Ouadah and Afreximbank’s Director of SME Development Ody Akhanoba underscored the role of entrepreneurs in Africa’s development.

More entrepreneurs shone at the AU Youth Start-up Awards, which celebrated young innovators driving solutions across health, agriculture, education, and technology.

The three trailblazers recognised were:

• 1st Place: Adam Debba (Algeria)
• 2nd Place: Sarah Adino – Talktu (Nigeria)
• 3rd Place: Stephen Mouaffo – General Biotech/Baby Incubator (Cameroon)

The winners received a fully sponsored invitation to the upcoming African Startup Conference, covering flights, accommodation, and expenses. This opportunity will enable them to showcase their ideas, connect with global investors, scale their ventures, and step confidently onto the continental stage.

More than an award, Ron Osman Omar, Director for Industry, Minerals, Entrepreneurship and Tourism at the African Union Commission the initiative signals the AU’s commitment to Africa’s next generation of entrepreneurs—ensuring they gain the support, visibility, and resources to build transformative businesses that will shape the continent’s future.

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Landmark Outcomes

• Institutionalisation of IATF: The announcement of the Intra-African Trade Fair Company (IATFCO), a treaty-based entity headquartered in Harare, Zimbabwe, giving the fair a permanent structure.
• Future Hosting: Lagos, Nigeria, confirmed as host city for IATF2027, while Calabar, Cross River State, secured the 2026 AfSNET Investment Conference.
• Regional Impact: Stronger trade networks, new partnerships, and reinforced momentum for AfCFTA implementation.

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A Defining Moment for Africa’s Trade Journey

As the hosting flag passed from Algiers to Lagos, IATF2025 closed as the largest and most transformative edition yet. With billions in deals, new institutions launched, and entrepreneurs empowered, the fair reaffirmed the AfCFTA’s potential as a catalyst for shared prosperity.

For Africa, the message from Algiers was clear: trade is not just about figures—it is about cooperation, innovation, and a shared determination to build a more integrated and sustainable future.