Nigeria will host the 2027 Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) in Lagos, with the Federal Government targeting over $50 billion in trade and investment deals, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr. Jumoke Oduwole announced Monday. The goal exceeds the $48.3 billion in agreements signed at the previous edition in Algiers in 2025.
The hosting agreement, signed in Lagos, formally confirms Nigeria’s commitment to organize the fifth continental trade fair in November 2027. Dr. Oduwole stated the event is expected to attract more than 100,000 physical and virtual participants and generate significant business linkages.
“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,” she said. The minister highlighted the fair’s role in advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to establish a single continental market, and noted its growing connections with the Caribbean and African diaspora.
The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment is leading coordination for the event, working with agencies like the Nigerian Export Promotion Council and other stakeholders.
The IATF has become a major economic platform. The fourth edition, held in Algiers from September 4-10, 2025, attracted 112,000 visitors from 132 countries, featured 2,148 exhibitors, and resulted in $48.3 billion in deals. Algeria, as host, accounted for $11.4 billion of that total. The fair includes trade exhibitions, investment forums, the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) program, and the Africa Automotive Show, alongside structured business-to-business and business-to-government matchmaking.
George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, noted that previous IATF editions have generated an average of $40 billion in deals, demonstrating the event’s capacity to foster partnerships and enhance Africa’s economic profile. He expressed confidence that the Lagos edition could surpass the $50 billion target and strengthen continental economic integration.
The 2027 fair in Lagos aims to build on this trajectory, positioning Nigeria as a central hub for intra-African commerce under the broader AfCFTA framework. Organizers anticipate the event will further unlock investment opportunities and drive tangible progress toward a more interconnected African economy.
