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The fourth Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025), hosted in Algiers, Algeria, ended on September 10, 2025 with S$48.3 billion in trade and investment deals signed during the weeklong continental exposition event, according to African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).

Afreximbank said over 112,000 visitors (physical and virtual), from 132 countries, participated in the event. A total of 958 buyers also participated in the event.

The opening ceremony, addressed by Algerian President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, among other dignitaries, featured a summit style discussion that saw the participation of 14 Heads of State and government, six representatives of government as well as 41 ministers and deputy ministers. 

Held biennially, IATF provides a platform for businesses in Africa and the rest of the world to showcase their goods and services to visitors and buyers while exchanging information and exploring opportunities, organised by Afreximbank in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.

According to the IATF2025 Report Card, the event welcomed 2,148 exhibitors and featured major activities, including a trade exhibition by countries and businesses, a four-day trade and investment forum graced by leading African and international speakers, the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme with its own dedicated exhibition covering fashion, music, film, arts and craft, sports, literature and gastronomy, as well as the Africa Automotive Show.

The programme also included nine Special Days hosted by countries and organisations to showcase their trade and investment opportunities, including an IATF2025 Global Africa Day that highlighted commercial and cultural ties between Africa and its diaspora, the Arise IIP Industrial Day and the Dangote Day as well as Country Days by Algeria, Kenya, Tunisia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Cote d’Ivoire.

B2B and B2G matchmaking programmes were held to facilitate strategic partnerships and government collaborations to unlock new opportunities while the AU Youth Start-Up Programme showcased innovative ideas and prototypes, and the Africa Research and Innovation Hub @ IATF targeted the academia and national researchers. The activities were preceded by the IATF Virtual Platform which had already been live throughout the year, connecting exhibitors and visitors.

Addressing the closing ceremony, former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, who is the Chairman of the Advisory Council of IATF2025, said that the trade fair had surpassed all expectations and targets set by the organisers and expressed “a sense of accomplishment and feeling of satisfaction” at the outcome.

Other key outcomes from the event include the institutionalisation of the IATF as a stand-alone, treaty-based entity called IATFCO with headquarters in Harare, Zimbabwe. It was also announced that Lagos, Nigeria, will be the venue of the next IATF in 2027.