Obasanjo declares Lagos host of 2027 Intra-African Trade Fair

….Says three previous editions generated $120b

Former Nigerian President and President of the Advisory Council of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), Olusegun Obasanjo, has officially announced Lagos, Nigeria, as the host city for the 2027 edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair, a major event that is held every two years.

The announcement was made during his welcome address at the opening ceremony of the ongoing 4th IATF, currently being held in Algeria.

In his remarks, Obasanjo highlighted the significance of the trade fair in promoting economic integration and development across the continent. He noted that the IATF has successfully rotated among various African nations, each time leaving a lasting legacy while enhancing trade capacities and infrastructure in its host countries.

Referring to the upcoming edition, he said, “Today, we announce Lagos, Nigeria, as the next destination for the IATF in 2027, a step that will further consolidate the Fair’s impact on the continent’s economic transformation.”

On the success of previous editions, he revealed that the previous three IATF events collectively generated trade and investment deals worth over $120 billion. According to him, this underscores the fair’s growing influence as a catalyst for cross-border trade and economic partnerships within Africa and the broader global market.

Obasanjo emphasised that the IATF has evolved into the continent’s most significant trade platform, creating a space where investors, business leaders, exhibitors, heads of state, and government officials converge to explore opportunities and drive collective prosperity.

He asserted that Africa’s economy stands at a pivotal moment where the power of trade and investment has the potential to unite regions and bring to life the aspirations of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He praised the fair’s ability over the past eight years to bring together buyers, investors, and policymakers from across the continent and the global African diaspora, showcasing its unmatched capacity to foster meaningful economic exchange.

Obasanjo extended his heartfelt appreciation to the President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, for the collaborative efforts with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the African Union, and the AfCFTA Secretariat in ensuring the successful hosting of the 4th IATF.