By TZBN Staff and Agencies.
ALGIERS, Algeria, September 5, 2024: Over 35,000 visitors from more than 140 countries across the globe converge in Algiers in 12 months, to attend a well prepared Intra-African Trade Fair, a Statement issued by Afrexim Bank, one of the event co-hosts has said.
The Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025) takes place from 4 – 10 September 2025, categorized as Africa’s premier trade and investment event. It will be hosted by the Algerian government in collaboration with Afreximbank, AfCFTA and AUC who signed the Hosting Agreement April 15, 2024 in Algiers, Algeria.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) has announced preparations are complete for a high profile African business event in New York and the event is not taking place next year but this September of 2024. Confirmed speakers at the two-day event on the margins of the UN General Assembly include Aliko Dangote, Founder, CEO, and Chairman, Dangote Group. Taking place on 25-26 September his year’s, This UN African Business Forum is titled “Unstoppable Africa: The Solution for a Global Future”.
The Trade Fair in Algiers will bring more than 2,000 exhibitors, including businesses from the African continent and globally, who will be showcasing their goods and services to the visitors and buyers while exploring opportunities and exchanging information. The Algeria event is projected to translate into over US$44 billion in trade and investment deals.
Hosted by the Government of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria in collaboration with others, under the theme ‘Gateway to New Opportunities’, the week-long event will offer a platform for boosting trade and investment. It will aim to tap into opportunities from the single market of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) of over 1.4 billion people and a GDP of over US$3.5 trillion.
The fair is held biennially by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the African Union and the AfCFTA Secretariat.
Chairman of the Advisory Council of IATF and former President of Nigeria, H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo said: “The IATF has distinguished itself as an instrument for promoting intra-African trade and investment by enabling businesses to interact and access trade and market information opportunities. Over $100 billion in trade and investment deals have been closed cumulatively with over 70,000 visitors and more than 4,500 exhibitors participating in the last three editions of IATF.
“We welcome African businesses to tap into the opportunities to market, grow sales, expand to new markets and to exchange ideas with peers. We thank our host, Algeria, which is one of the continent’s more advanced economies”.
Heads of State and Governments, Ministers of Trade, Finance, Culture and other ministries as well as high profile business, small & medium enterprises and industry leaders are expected to attend IATF2025. Chief Obasanjo added: “IATF is the largest, holistic trade fair championing the continent’s growth and development. It serves as a collaborative platform for driving shared aspirations for prosperity and stability, as envisioned by AfCFTA. It is a strong backbone for meaningful transformation of Africa and enhancing resilience by creating a gateway to new opportunities for economies and businesses through intra-African trade and investment.
Key activities lined up for IATF2025 include a trade exhibition by countries and businesses; the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme with a dedicated exhibition and summit covering fashion, music, film, arts and craft, sports, literature, gastronomy and culinary arts; a four-day Trade and Investment Forum featuring leading African and international speakers; and the Africa Automotive Show for auto manufacturers, assemblers, original equipment manufacturers and component suppliers.
There will be Special Days dedicated for countries as well as public and private entities to showcase trade and investment opportunities, and tourism and cultural attractions, as well as IATF Diaspora Day which highlights commercial and cultural ties between Africa and its diaspora, featuring a Diaspora Summit, market and exhibition, cultural and gastronomic showcase.
Also planned is a business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) platform for matchmaking and business exchanges; the AU Youth Start-Up programme showcasing innovative ideas and prototypes; the Africa Research and Innovation Platform @ IATF for university students, academia and national researchers to exhibit innovations; and the African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network to promote trade, investment, educational and cultural exchanges at the local level. The IATF Virtual platform is already live, connecting exhibitors and visitors throughout the year.
MEANWHILE, another high profile African Busisness event is underway in New York, where the United Nations Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) has announced its line up of speakers and programme for its annual two-day event on the margins of the UN General Assembly this September of 2024. Taking place on 25-26 September, this year’s forum “Unstoppable Africa: The Solution for a Global Future” brings together influential leaders from the public and private sectors, to advance Africa’s role in shaping global business solutions.
Confirmed speakers include Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary General, Aliko Dangote, Founder, CEO, and Chairman, Dangote Group, Amina J. Mohammed, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, and Selim Bora, Chair, Summa International Construction among others.
UNSTOPABLE AFRICA
With the right investments, partnerships, and opportunities, Africa’s private sector has the potential to drive significant change in a world that urgently needs solutions. “Unstoppable Africa” will bring together the continent’s most dynamic current and future leaders on a powerful platform dedicated to collaboration and actionable commitments. Through this event, Africa’s changemakers will unite to address global challenges with impactful solutions and transformative actions, GABI has stated.
Central to this event is the recent strategic partnership between the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and the African Union Commission, which focuses on leveraging Africa’s business potential to drive sustainable development. This partnership aims to advance Agenda 2063 and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development).
Titled “Unstoppable Africa: The Solution for a Global Future,” the 2024 GABI event will not only highlight Africa’s economic resilience and vast potential but will also be a platform for presenting novel and practical solutions to some of the most urgent global challenges. From addressing energy transitions and ensuring access to sustainable power, to advancing digital transformation across sectors and promoting inclusive growth, Unstoppable Africa will position the continent as a leader in the global pursuit of a more equitable and sustainable future.
Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the UN Global Compact, which convenes GABI, commented, “With a market valued at over $3 trillion, Africa is poised for unprecedented growth and development. Africa’s GDP growth rate is expected to outpace the global average, with projections of 3.8% in 2024 and 4.2% in 2025.
“GABI was born from a powerful realization: the world has been doing business in Africa, but not always with Africa. We stand to rebalance that equation. GABI isn’t just another forum; we are a solution-oriented platform dedicated to shaping Africa’s business future. Our mission is clear: Convene, Connect, Catalyze, and Convey. We convene stakeholders to address Africa’s unique challenges, connect Africa’s private sector with global partners, catalyze sustainable growth through collaboration, and convey support for initiatives that deliver real results.
“Unstoppable Africa will bring together Africa’s brightest minds and global leaders to collaborate on sustainable solutions. When Africa wins, the world wins. Africa is ready to lead, and GABI is where Africa meets the world’s political, business, and philanthropic leaders.”
This year, the event will focus on several key themes that address Africa’s growing role in shaping the global future: Unlocking Inclusive Growth through Trade: Africa’s vast economic potential is increasingly tied to the development of inclusive trade systems that benefit all sectors of society. With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) set to transform intra-African trade, the event will explore how policymakers and business leaders can capitalize on this agreement to spur economic growth, reduce poverty, and create jobs. Other focuses will include:
- Africa: The Solution for Clean Energy: Leaders in the energy sector will discuss the continent’s unique ability to leapfrog into renewable energy solutions, overcoming the barriers of outdated infrastructure and delivering modern energy access to millions.
- Africa’s Digital Revolution: Sessions on digital transformation will explore Africa’s rapid advancements in technology, from fintech to AI, and how these technological advances are enabling the continent to bridge gaps in education, healthcare, and trade.
- Sport: And the Winner Is… Africa! Africa’s sports industry is emerging as a powerful driver of socio-economic transformation. From football to track, African athletes continue to make their mark on the world stage, and discussions will focus on building sports ecosystems that develop talent, attract investments, and foster national pride.
- African Creativity for the World: The event will shine a spotlight on Africa’s cultural powerhouses—its creative industries and sports sectors—which are becoming major economic drivers. On Thursday, 26 September, GABI will host a special film showcase titled “Bold Stories” dedicated to celebrating the transformative power of African women filmmakers in the entertainment industry.
- As Africa solidifies its role in the G20 and BRICS, the continent is poised for greater global significance. Despite economic challenges, Africa’s economy is projected to grow at 3.8% in 2024 and 4.2% in 2025, outpacing the global average of 2.9% and 3.2%.
Unstoppable Africa will be hosted by Folly Bah Thibault from Aljazeera English and Larry Madowo from CNN and is supported by African Union, Afreximbank, BUA, Flour Mills Nigeria, Google, Rockefeller Foundation, Safaricom, and Summa Group among others.
