Nigeria, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the African Union Commission (AUC), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat have entered into a Hosting Agreement to stage the 2027 Intra- African Trade Fair (IATF2027) in Lagos. Additionally, Lagos is set to host the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) in 2026, an initiative also supported by Afreximbank.
The formal signing of the agreement occurred at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Lagos. This pact solidifies Nigeria's position as the host of Africa's foremost trade and investment platform, underscoring the nation's dedication to advancing trade within the continent and accelerating the adoption of the AfCFTA.
IATF2027 is scheduled to run from November 5 to 11, 2027, with projections of achieving US$50 billion in trade and investment deals. The event aims to attract 100,000 visitors and 2,500 exhibitors, with participation expected from over 100 countries.
Themed "Global Africa Repositioned – From Market Access to Market," the fair will encompass a wide array of programmes. These include trade exhibitions, an investment forum focused on the AfCFTA, a Global Africa Day to strengthen diaspora connections, a Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Government (B2G) platform, the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) to highlight Africa's creative industries, a Sub Sovereign Governments Network for regional integration, country-specific showcases of trade and investment potential, the Africa Automotive Show, an AU Youth Start-up pavilion, and the Africa Research and Innovation Hub (ARIH).
President of Afreximbank, Dr. George Elombi, remarked that when Nigeria was designated as the host for IATF2027, the bank recognized its significance. He expressed confidence that Nigeria's acceptance to host the trade fair would lead to success, drawing parallels to the success of Afreximbank's annual meeting in Abuja the previous year. He attributed the opportunity to host Nigeria to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
President Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, conveyed his satisfaction with Nigeria hosting the fair, assuring that the country would commit all necessary resources to ensure its success. Minister Oduwole affirmed Nigeria's readiness for IATF 2027 and its commitment to collaborating with partners and stakeholders to transform the AfCFTA Marketplace, foster business confidence, establish a unified African market, promote international trade, and create employment opportunities across Africa.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who chairs the IATF 2027 Advisory Board, lauded President Tinubu, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, private sector leaders, and others for their instrumental role in securing Nigeria as the host.
Governor Sanwo-Olu pledged that both CANEX 2026 and IATF 2027 would be landmark events on the African continent, with the Lagos State Government committed to making them exceptional showcases for Africa. He assured that Lagos is prepared for the historic IATF 2027, designed to foster trade and investment across Africa, positioning the continent for its rightful place on the global stage. He highlighted Lagos's status as a commercial hub and entertainment capital, promising a spectacular CANEX event and a highly successful IATF 2027, fulfilling the promise made to President Tinubu.
Sanwo-Olu emphasized, "We will do it knowing fully well that it is a time for Africa to take its rightful place in the global space. I want to assure you that the CANEX (Creative Africa Nexus 2026) event coming up in Lagos later in the year will be a masterpiece. It will be one of the biggest that you have seen because Lagos is not just a commercial economic nerve centre of our country; it is the entertainment capital of Africa, and we will bring our A-game to its fullness. You will see a CANEX that you have never seen before, and we will be true with our promise."
He further stated, "For the big one, IATF 2027, we will ensure that not only would we put our best foot forward, we will also not disappoint all of you. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is committed to the event. He had run this State (Lagos) at some point, and it is still the energy and the spirit of Lagos that he’s taken to the Federal Government. He has given both the minister and myself a marching order to ensure that next year at IATF 2027, Nigeria represents Africa very well. We will be doing it with everything we have. We will do everything possible to ensure that it will be the best IATF that we have seen on the continent of Africa. On behalf of the people and the government of Nigeria, we are excited. We are happy that they have given us this responsibility, and indeed Lagos will be playing host to the two big events."
The Intra-African Trade Fair, held every two years, serves as a crucial platform for African businesses and international partners to exhibit products and services, share market intelligence, and explore collaboration opportunities. The preceding IATF2025 in Algiers, Algeria, reportedly generated US$48.3 billion in trade and investment deals and attracted over 112,000 attendees.
IATF2027, marking the fifth edition, is anticipated to draw thousands of exhibitors, buyers, investors, and policymakers from across Africa and its diaspora, aiming to stimulate trade and investment, facilitate market information exchange, foster industrial partnerships, and promote cross-border investments in line with Africa's economic integration goals.
The signing ceremony brought together key government officials, continental institutions, and business leaders, signifying a major stride towards establishing a transformative trade platform for Africa. Representatives from the African Union Commission and AfCFTA reiterated their commitment to collaborate with all stakeholders for the successful realization of IATF 2027.
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