The 4th edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) officially opened in Algiers on Thursday, with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) projecting over $44 billion in trade and investment deals and participation from more than 35,000 delegates and 2,000 exhibitors from across the continent.
The opening ceremony was led by Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, who praised Algeria for hosting the landmark event and called on African nations to accelerate continental integration.
“Algeria’s leadership in co-convening this landmark event reflects not only its strategic position as a bridge between North Africa, the rest of the continent, and global markets, but also its deep commitment to advancing Africa’s integration agenda,” Mene said.
Describing the trade fair as “Africa’s marketplace, where businesses, investors, governments, and innovators come together to turn policy into practice,” Mene emphasized that IATF2025 was not only about large figures but also about creating jobs, empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and integrating women and youth into Africa’s growing value chains.
Mene highlighted the impressive outcomes of previous editions, noting that the third IATF held in Cairo in 2023 drew nearly 28,000 participants and generated over $43 billion in deals.
“This year in Algiers, we expect more than 35,000 participants, 2,000 exhibitors, and over $44 billion worth of trade and investment deals. But the true success of IATF lies not only in numbers; it is reflected in the opportunities created for our people, our SMEs, and our emerging entrepreneurs,” he said.
He described the theme of the fair, “Gateway to New Opportunities,” as emblematic of both Algeria’s role as a hub connecting Africa’s markets and the collective ambition of African nations to make the AfCFTA a key driver of economic transformation across the continent.
Mene also highlighted recent trade gains under the AfCFTA framework, noting that intra-African trade reached $220.3 billion in 2024, representing a 12.4% increase from 2023, according to Afreximbank’s African Trade Report 2025.
“This recovery demonstrates growing confidence in Africa’s integration model and underscores the potential of the AfCFTA to transform our economies,” he said.
Beyond the headline numbers, Mene noted that Africa’s trade composition is gradually diversifying. While primary commodities continue to dominate, there is growing trade in machinery, motor vehicles, food products, chemicals, and electronics—a sign of industrial development and reduced dependency on raw exports.
Mene underscored four key priorities for the continent. First, he stressed that connectivity remains a challenge, pointing out that “too many delegates had to transit through Europe to reach Algiers.
That must change.” He called for faster implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and investment in trade corridors, logistics hubs, and digital infrastructure to turn AfCFTA rules into real opportunities on the ground.
He also emphasized inclusivity, noting that the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund—set to be officially launched during IATF2025—would help cushion short-term revenue losses and support private sector adaptation. “This is a strong signal that integration is not only about ambition, but also about solidarity and practical support for those who need it most,” Mene said.
Mene further called on African countries to mobilize domestic resources and diaspora investment into key value chains such as agro-processing, automotive, pharmaceuticals, and digital industries. “If we mobilize our own resources, we can create the investment momentum that transforms economies from within,” he stated.
Finally, Mene stressed that Africa’s growth must be sustainable. “The AfCFTA is not just about more trade, but about better trade; trade that supports renewable energy, sustainable industrialisation, and climate resilience,” he said, urging participants to embed green industrialisation into value chains to ensure that economic growth aligns with sustainability goals.
Concluding his remarks, Mene urged participants to use the Fair as a platform for action: “Let us sign MoUs and business deals, launch ventures, mobilize investments, and build stronger regional value chains.
Through our collective efforts here, let us send a clear message to the world: Africa’s market is open for business, our future is in our own hands, and the AfCFTA is the vehicle that will drive us toward a new era of inclusive, sustainable prosperity.”
IATF2025 is expected to not only facilitate billions of dollars in deals but also provide a strategic platform for African businesses to connect, innovate, and scale across the continent.
