Nigeria to Host 2027 Intra-African Trade Fair

The Federal Government has signed the hosting agreement for the fifth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair, positioning Nigeria as the host of Africa’s largest trade and investment marketplace.

The agreement was signed in Lagos, the designated host city, in partnership with the African Export-Import Bank, the African Union Commission, and the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

The trade fair is scheduled to take place from November 5 to November 11, 2027, and is projected to attract more than 100,000 visitors, 2,500 exhibitors, and participants from over 100 countries.

Organisers expect the event to generate more than $50bn in trade and investment deals.

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who chairs the advisory council for the event, described the signing of the hosting agreement as a significant step for Nigeria and the African continent.

He highlighted Lagos’ historic role in Africa’s economic integration efforts, noting that the city previously hosted the Lagos Plan of Action, which promoted Africa’s industrialisation and economic self-reliance.

“The signing of this hosting agreement marks a significant milestone for Nigeria and for the continent. Bringing the trade fair to Lagos is historically significant,” Obasanjo said.

“I am confident that the event will surpass previous editions in scope and impact as we advance the goal of a unified African marketplace.”

The President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, Dr George Elombi, also commended Nigeria’s leadership in promoting intra-African trade.

“When we proclaimed Nigeria as the next host of the Intra-African Trade Fair, we knew that a mighty elephant had been sighted,” Elombi said.

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“Nigeria’s entrepreneurial strength and industrial capacity give us confidence that the event will strengthen trade and investment across Africa.”

The trade fair will be held under the theme “Global Africa Repositioned – From Market Access to Market.”

Activities scheduled for the event include trade exhibitions, an AfCFTA-focused investment forum, and Global Africa Day aimed at strengthening ties between Africa and its diaspora.

Other programmes include Business-to-Business and Business-to-Government networking sessions, the Creative Africa Nexus platform for the continent’s creative industries, and the Africa Automotive Show.

The event will also feature the AU Youth Start-up Pavilion to showcase emerging African businesses, as well as the Africa Research and Innovation Hub linking researchers, universities, and policymakers.

Since its launch in 2018, the Intra-African Trade Fair has generated more than $167bn in trade and investment deals and attracted over 180,000 participants from 132 countries.

Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, said hosting the event comes at a time when the global trading system is facing rising uncertainty.

She noted that the trade fair offers Africa an opportunity to reshape its economic future through deeper regional integration under the AfCFTA framework.

“As we prepare to host Africa’s largest marketplace in Lagos, we have the opportunity not only to reflect on our current realities but also to design the future of African trade integration,” she said.

Officials from the AfCFTA Secretariat also highlighted Nigeria’s strategic role in continental trade due to its large market size, resource base, industrial capacity, and vibrant small and medium-scale enterprise sector.