Nigeria is stepping up efforts to accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a way to open up more opportunities for Nigerian businesses across Africa.
The country is working to fast-track this process so local businesses can benefit fully from trade prospects on the continent.
According to Tribune, Hon. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, said that intra-African trade is on the rise.
“Intra-African trade exports grew by over 13 percent from last year supported by new trade corridors and the initial success of AfCFTA’s guideline initiatives.
Nigerian businesses are already key participants, exporting ceramics, garments, pharmaceuticals and agro products across the continent,” she said during a keynote speech at the Nigerian IATF2025 Business Roadshow.
The event gathered government officials, business leaders, investors, and representatives from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to promote intra-African trade under the theme: “Harnessing Regional and Continental Value Chains: Accelerating Africa’s Industrialisation and Global Competitiveness through AfCFTA.”
The Nigerian roadshow is part of a series of high-level events also taking place in cities like Nairobi, Accra, Johannesburg, and Algiers in preparation for the fourth Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) scheduled for 4–10 September 2025 in Algiers, Algeria.
The fair, themed “Gateway to New Opportunities,” is Africa’s top trade and investment event aimed at driving economic growth, partnerships, and innovation across the continent.
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Speaking at the forum, Nonye Ayeni, Executive Director and CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), described the IATF as a vital platform for exchanging trade and investment information and building partnerships.
“With frameworks like AfCFTA and platforms like IATF we now have the tools to bridge the trade gap, boost intra-African trade and tremendously grow our economies in a sustainable and inclusive way.
We need to build structured, sustainable and competitive value chains that can power inclusive growth both here in Nigeria and across the continent in Africa.
We know that AfCFTA promises to be the largest single market in the world, connecting 1.3 billion people across 54 countries in Africa,” she said.
Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President for Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank, spoke on the results the IATF has already delivered.
“In just three editions, IATF has achieved what once felt aspirational: over $100 billion in trade and investment deals, more than 70,000 participants, and 4,500+ exhibitors from across 130 countries.
This is not a conference, it is Africa’s trade engine, designed to connect our producers, unlock demand, and operationalise the promise of the AfCFTA.
And in every edition, whether in Cairo, Durban, or beyond, Nigeria has not just participated.
Nigeria has led. At IATF2023 alone, Nigerian enterprises generated over $11 billion in signed deals, the highest of any country. Nigeria always shows up.
Nigeria delivers,” she added. The last IATF in Cairo attracted nearly 2,000 exhibitors from 65 countries and generated $43.7 billion in trade and investment deals.
IATF2025 will feature a wide range of activities including trade exhibitions, the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme with a summit and exhibitions covering fashion, music, film, arts, sports, literature, and cuisine, a four-day Trade and Investment Forum, and the Africa Automotive Show for manufacturers and suppliers.
There will also be Special Days for countries and private and public organisations to showcase trade, investment, and tourism opportunities, as well as Global Africa Day to highlight the commercial and cultural ties between Africa and its diaspora.
Additional features include business-to-business and business-to-government matchmaking sessions, the AU Youth Start-Up programme to showcase innovations, the Africa Research and Innovation Hub targeting students and researchers, IATF Virtual for year-round connections, Diaspora Day, and the African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network (AfSNET) promoting exchanges at local levels.
Organised by Afreximbank in partnership with the African Union Commission and the AfCFTA Secretariat, IATF is designed to support intra-African trade and investment by bringing together businesses, investors, and government representatives to explore opportunities and tackle challenges facing trade within Africa.
The fair is also open to international businesses looking to engage with Africa’s growing markets and support the continent’s development through industrialisation and exports.
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Image Credit: BizWatchNigeria.Ng
