Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, during the signing of the IATF 2027 hosting agreement as Nigeria prepares to host the continental trade fair in Lagos.
The Federal Government is targeting over $50 billion in trade and investment deals during the 2027 Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) scheduled to hold in Lagos.
The projected deal value is expected to surpass the $48.3 billion agreements recorded during the fourth edition of the trade fair in Algiers, Algeria, in September 2025, signalling Nigeria’s intention to strengthen its position as a leading driver of African trade and investment.
Commitment to Host IATF 2027
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, disclosed this during the signing of the IATF 2027 Hosting Agreement in Lagos, on Monday.
According to her, the agreement formally confirms Nigeria’s commitment to host the fifth edition of the continental trade fair in November 2027.
She explained that the event is expected to attract more than 100,000 physical and virtual participants, including investors, policymakers, entrepreneurs and trade institutions from across Africa and the global diaspora.
“We’re expecting to host over 100,000 physical and virtual guests. We’re expecting to have over $50 billion worth of deals from IATF 2027,” Oduwole said.
She added that the fair will strengthen Africa’s trade networks while connecting businesses across the continent and the diaspora.
“The IATF has made connections with the Caribbean and the diaspora, and we are positioning Nigeria to lead economically in this renaissance.”
Platform for Advancing AfCFTA
The minister described the Intra-African Trade Fair as a major platform for advancing the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to create a single, integrated market for goods and services across Africa.
She noted that the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) is coordinating preparations for the event in collaboration with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and other stakeholders.
The goal, she said, is to ensure Nigeria delivers a successful and impactful edition of the trade fair.
Success of Previous Edition
The fourth edition of the IATF held in Algiers, Algeria from September 4 to 10, 2025, recorded $48.3 billion in trade and investment deals.
The event attracted over 112,000 visitors from 132 countries, both physically and virtually.
Key participation figures included:
- 958 buyers
- 2,148 exhibitors
- $11.4 billion in deals recorded by host country Algeria, representing 23.6 percent of the total agreements signed
The fair featured a wide range of activities, including trade exhibitions, investment forums, and sector-specific showcases.
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Among the highlights were the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme, which focuses on fashion, music, film and arts, as well as the Africa Automotive Show.
Business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) matchmaking sessions were also organised to encourage partnerships and unlock new investment opportunities across Africa.
Afreximbank Optimistic About $50bn Target
President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, George Elombi, said the trade fair has already generated an average of $40 billion in deals across its previous four editions.
According to him, the success demonstrates the transformative potential of the platform in driving partnerships, innovation, and economic growth across the continent.
Elombi expressed confidence that the Lagos edition in 2027 could surpass the $50 billion target, further strengthening Africa’s economic integration and global trade presence.
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