Nigeria has secured the right to host the fifth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2027), a landmark continental business platform designed to deepen trade and investment within Africa.
The event, scheduled to take place in Lagos from November 5 to November 11, 2027, is expected to bring together governments, investors, entrepreneurs and global partners to explore commercial opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.
Speaking at the host agreement signing ceremony in Lagos, Jumoke Oduwole described Nigeria’s selection as both an honour and a strategic opportunity to accelerate Africa’s economic integration.
She noted that the fair has already generated over $167 billion in trade and investment deals across its first four editions, underscoring its growing importance as a continental marketplace.
“Nigeria intends not only to exceed the transaction levels recorded at previous editions but also deepen economic collaboration across Africa,” Oduwole said.
Strengthening AfCFTA Implementation
According to the minister, Nigeria’s preparations for the trade fair coincide with the country’s progress in implementing the AfCFTA agreement.
She disclosed that Nigeria recently completed its five-year AfCFTA implementation review, becoming the first participating country to fulfil that obligation.
Oduwole said the review provided Nigeria with a clearer understanding of the reforms, investments and institutional frameworks needed to fully unlock the benefits of the continental free trade area.
She added that Nigeria is also prioritising women and youth participation in trade, ensuring that the emerging African market remains inclusive and broad-based.
Strategic Initiatives to Boost Trade
Nigeria has already begun implementing several initiatives aimed at strengthening cross-border commerce ahead of the event.
One of such measures is the AfCFTA air cargo export corridor, launched in partnership with Uganda Airlines, to facilitate faster delivery of Nigerian goods to markets in East and Southern Africa.
Nigeria is also playing a key role in digital trade integration as a co-champion of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade alongside Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa.
Another initiative is the Customs Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) led by the Nigeria Customs Service, which aims to harmonise customs policies across African markets.
Lagos’ Historic Role in African Economic Integration
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who chairs the IATF 2027 Advisory Council, described Lagos as a historically symbolic venue for the fair.
He recalled that the city hosted African leaders who adopted the Lagos Plan of Action (1980-2000), a strategic blueprint designed to promote industrialisation, reduce reliance on raw material exports and strengthen Africa’s economic self-sufficiency.
Obasanjo praised the collaboration between the Federal Government, Lagos State Government and the private sector in securing the hosting rights.
He emphasised that the fair would help elevate Africa’s trade standards and advance the continent’s economic aspirations.
Afreximbank Projects Strong Participation
The President of African Export Import Bank, George Elombi, projected that the Lagos edition would attract more than 100,000 visitors from across Africa and beyond.
He said the fair would play a critical role in strengthening Africa’s single market by promoting value addition, expanding regional supply chains and boosting job creation.
“The real opportunities lie in expanding value addition to Africa’s natural resources and building strong regional value chains,” Elombi said.
BRANDECONOMY Insight
Why Hosting IATF 2027 Matters for Nigeria
Nigeria’s successful bid to host the Intra-African Trade Fair 2027 positions the country at the centre of Africa’s emerging single market.
- Strategic Trade Leadership
Hosting the event reinforces Nigeria’s ambition to lead Africa’s economic integration under the AfCFTA framework. - Lagos as Africa’s Commercial Gateway
The choice of Lagos highlights the city’s status as one of Africa’s largest economic hubs and a natural gateway for continental commerce. - Accelerating Regional Value Chains
By connecting manufacturers, investors and buyers across the continent, IATF could significantly boost intra-African trade and industrial cooperation. - Economic Diplomacy Opportunity
Beyond transactions, the fair provides Nigeria with a powerful platform to attract investment, promote exports and strengthen economic diplomacy across Africa.
If effectively leveraged, IATF 2027 could become a defining milestone in Nigeria’s push to reposition itself as a leading trade and manufacturing powerhouse in Africa.
