The Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), will now operate as a permanent institution with its headquarters in Harare, Zimbabwe. The new Intra-African Trade Fair Company (IATFCO) was officially unveiled during the 2025 edition of the fair in Algiers.
The transition is designed to make IATF sustainable and scalable, aligning it more closely with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agenda. Zimbabwe secured hosting rights after a competitive bidding process that included Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Malawi, Zambia, and South Africa.
Former Nigerian President and IATF Advisory Council Chairman, H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, stated that Zimbabwe was selected due to its robust conferencing facilities, excellent air connectivity, ample accommodation capacity, and land allocated for expansion. “This opens a new chapter for IATF as it continues powering growth in intra-African trade and investment,” he noted.
Afreximbank President, Prof. Benedict Oramah, welcomed the development, announcing an initial US$28 million capitalisation. He urged African governments, corporations, and financial institutions to support the new body in its early years.
IATF2025, which concluded on 10 September, attracted over 112,000 visitors from 132 countries, featured 2,148 exhibitors, and generated US$48.3 billion in trade and investment deals.
