Algeria has reaffirmed its commitment to regional economic integration with the successful conclusion of the IATF2025 Roadshow. With strong diplomatic and institutional backing, the event closed on a high note as Secretary of State Selma Mansouri emphasized Africa’s shared responsibility in building a connected economy and making IATF2025 a high-impact platform for trade and investment.
Ms. Mansouri, speaking at the final session of the Roadshow, called on African governments, business associations, chambers of commerce and development partners to strengthen coordination on logistics, increase cross-border knowledge sharing and drive export promotion. She positioned IATF2025 not just as a continental event but as a turning point in unlocking the full potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Set to be hosted by the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria in Algiers on the 4th to the 10th of September, the fourth Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) is organized by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the African Union Commission and the AfCFTA Secretariat. It will bring together over 75 exhibiting countries, 2,000+ exhibitors and more than 35,000 trade visitors, buyers, media professionals and conference delegates. The fair will also feature a unique virtual component that ensures year-round visibility and access to opportunities for participants, even beyond the physical event.
For entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), IATF2025 represents more than an exhibition, it is a fully integrated business platform designed to generate real deals, partnerships and growth. Organizers expect more than $44 billion in trade and investment deals to be sealed during the event. This is a major opportunity for African businesses to showcase their products and services to a diverse and high-impact audience, including investors, manufacturers, government agencies and development finance institutions.
At the heart of IATF2025 is the objective to make intra-African trade more accessible, practical and beneficial to African enterprises. The fair will serve as a marketplace for buyers and sellers, offering structured business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) matchmaking, which gives entrepreneurs a direct line to decision-makers, suppliers and financiers. This matchmaking will also include speed networking sessions and facilitated meetings, increasing the chances for entrepreneurs to close deals or secure new collaborations.
One of the highlights of the event will be the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) program, which will spotlight the continent’s dynamic cultural and creative sectors. Entrepreneurs in fashion, music, film, arts and crafts, literature, gastronomy and sports will have access to dedicated exhibitions and summits, underlining the importance of these industries in Africa’s broader trade and economic landscape. For creative business owners, this is a rare chance to gain visibility on a continental stage and connect with buyers, distributors and investors.
In addition, the Africa Automotive Show will bring together auto manufacturers, assemblers, component suppliers and original equipment manufacturers. This opens a window of opportunity for entrepreneurs in manufacturing, mechanical engineering and parts supply to enter larger regional value chains.
IATF2025 will also host a four-day Trade and Investment Forum, where leading African and international speakers will tackle key topics such as trade facilitation, industrialization, trade finance, digital trade and entrepreneurship. These sessions will provide practical knowledge for entrepreneurs seeking to scale their businesses or expand into new markets.
Special Days during the fair will be dedicated to spotlighting individual countries, public and private sector entities, tourism and cultural attractions. One of the key events will be Global Africa Day, which celebrates the continent’s connections with the African diaspora. This event aims to deepen cross-continental trade and cultural ties, giving African entrepreneurs a wider platform beyond their national borders.
To support startups and innovation, the event will feature the AU Youth Start-Up Programme and the Africa Research and Innovation Hub, creating pathways for young entrepreneurs to connect with ecosystem players, funders and policymakers. IATF2025 will also continue to strengthen local governance and trade capacity through the African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network (AfSNET), aimed at boosting trade and cultural exchange at the municipal and regional levels.
Entrepreneurs and SMEs who exhibit at IATF2025 will enjoy a suite of benefits including access to the Exhibitor Portal, online diary scheduling, listing in the official show guide, an IATF virtual booth valid for one year and full participation in the IATF conference program. These features ensure ongoing exposure, lead generation and business development well beyond the few days of the event itself.
What makes IATF2025 especially timely is the growing relevance of the AfCFTA in transforming Africa’s trade landscape. By simplifying market access across borders, promoting value addition and supporting industrial growth, the AfCFTA offers African businesses, particularly SMEs, the chance to scale across a market of 1.4 billion people. IATF2025 is designed to make this opportunity real and reachable.
IATF2025 is not just an exhibition; it is a practical business accelerator for African entrepreneurs. From investment deals and market visibility to strategic partnerships and policy dialogue, the fair will provide the tools and space needed for SMEs to grow, innovate and compete. For businesses ready to expand, enter new markets or simply build meaningful connections across the continent, IATF2025 is the place to be.
