The momentum toward Africa’s largest trade and investment platform, the Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025), is accelerating—sparked by a powerful high-level roadshow held in Sandton, Johannesburg. The event brought together top-tier policymakers, business leaders, investors, creatives, and diplomats, all focused on reshaping Africa’s economic future through intra-African trade and industrialisation.
Opening the event was Mr. Humphrey Nwugo, Regional Director, Southern Africa at Afreximbank, who delivered a compelling address that challenged the continent to shift from potential to action.
“The problem is not capacity. The problem is connectivity. The problem is lack of information,” Nwugo declared, highlighting the paradox of Africa importing goods like leather and meat from outside the continent despite having the production capacity locally.
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He emphasized that platforms like IATF are built to bridge these gaps, enabling African countries to trade more with each other, not just in raw commodities, but in value-added goods, services, and innovation. Since its inception in 2018, IATF has already facilitated over $100 billion in trade and investment deals. The upcoming 2025 edition in Algiers, Algeria, is projected to add another $44 billion, drawing 2,000+ exhibitors and 35,000 visitors from across the globe.
Also addressing the gathering, Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Hon. Sihle Zikalala, reaffirmed South Africa’s strong commitment to continental economic growth through strategic infrastructure development, trade facilitation, and regional cooperation.
He highlighted South Africa’s R1 trillion infrastructure investment and policy reforms aimed at accelerating public-private partnerships. He also praised continental initiatives such as the African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and the Guided Trade Initiative (GTI) as vital tools that are turning the AfCFTA vision into a reality.
Scheduled for 4–10 September 2025 at SAFEX in Algiers, IATF2025 is expected to be the most impactful edition yet. With participation from 140+ countries, the fair will feature:
- Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX): A showcase of fashion, film, music, literature, and culinary excellence.
- Africa Automotive Show: A platform for manufacturers, OEMs, and suppliers.
- Trade and Investment Forum: Four days of thought leadership and strategic dialogue.
- AU Youth Start-Up Pavilion & Innovation Hub: Empowering Africa’s next generation of entrepreneurs and researchers.
- Global Africa Day & Diaspora Summit: Celebrating commercial and cultural ties across continents.
With a combined African market of 1.4 billion people and a GDP of $3.5 trillion under the AfCFTA, IATF2025 is more than a fair—it’s a springboard for economic transformation.
The Johannesburg roadshow confirmed that Africa’s trade future is no longer a distant aspiration—it’s a present-day imperative. The call has gone out to governments, investors, creatives, and entrepreneurs alike: the time to connect, collaborate, and compete together is now.
For South Africa, and for the continent, IATF2025 is a moment to lead, showcase, and rewrite Africa’s trade story on a global stage.
