Nigeria has won the hosting rights for the 2027 Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), with Lagos confirmed as the venue, following an announcement by former President Olusegun Obasanjo during the opening of IATF 2025 in Algiers.
Obasanjo, who chairs the IATF Advisory Board, revealed the selection during the opening ceremony of the fourth edition of the fair currently taking place in Algeria.
Nigeria emerged successful after what was described as a rigorous bidding and due diligence process.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, received the IATF flag on behalf of Nigeria, officially confirming Lagos as the host city for Africa’s premier trade and investment gathering in 2027, News Ghana reported.
This makes Nigeria the fourth country to host IATF, following Egypt’s inaugural edition in Cairo in 2018, South Africa’s second edition in Durban in 2021, and Egypt’s third edition in Cairo in 2023.
The ongoing fourth edition is being staged in Algiers. According to Obasanjo, the fair has proven to be a vital driver of intra-African commerce, with the last three editions generating trade and investment deals worth more than $120 billion.
The 2025 event features participation from 48 African countries, setting the stage for another impactful edition in Lagos two years from now.
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For Ghana, Nigeria’s hosting of the 2027 fair presents both opportunities and challenges.
The geographical closeness of the two West African neighbors creates openings for Ghanaian businesses to access the platform, while Ghana’s position as headquarters of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat in Accra adds further weight to its potential role.
As Africa’s largest marketplace since its launch in 2018, IATF provides a chance for countries not just to showcase industries but to expand exports and strengthen trade relationships across the continent.
Industry watchers note that Ghana’s participation strategy will be crucial, particularly as the Lagos event is expected to draw more than 2,000 exhibitors and thousands of buyers looking for continental sourcing opportunities.
Agencies such as the Ghana Export Promotion Authority and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre will need to coordinate an effective approach, using the two-year preparation window to align stakeholders and maximize national visibility.
The private sector is also expected to play a decisive role, as Ghanaian businesses prepare to compete for attention and deals.
Manufacturing, agriculture, and services are likely to stand out in the country’s participation plans.
Analysts suggest that meaningful preparation will require collaboration between government trade bodies, private industry, and development partners.
Nigeria’s hosting announcement comes at a pivotal time in the drive to strengthen intra-African trade under the AfCFTA framework.
The fair has consistently served as a practical platform for advancing trade integration across the continent, enabling countries that engage strategically to report improved export performance and stronger international business links.
With Lagos positioned as West Africa’s commercial hub, the 2027 edition is expected to enhance regional participation compared to previous editions held in North and Southern Africa.
For Ghana, proximity and strategic planning could turn the Lagos event into a springboard for deeper continental trade engagement.
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Image Credit: Afreximbank
