MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The 4th edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) opened in Algiers with a call to action from the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), H.E. Wamkele Mene, who declared Africa’s market “open for business” and urged governments, investors, and businesses to seize the moment to deepen regional integration and economic transformation.
Hosted by the Government of Algeria under the theme: “Gateway to New Opportunities,” the Fair has drawn a record 35,000 participants and 2,000 exhibitors, with US$44 billion in trade and investment deals expected — surpassing the previous edition’s US$43 billion signed in Cairo in 2023.
“The true success of IATF lies not only in numbers, but in the jobs created, the SMEs empowered, and the markets unlocked,” the Secretary-General said during his opening address. “Africa’s future is in its own hands, and the AfCFTA is the vehicle to drive us there.”
AfCFTA’s Growing Impact on the African Continent
According to the latest African Trade Report 2025 by Afreximbank, intra-African trade surged to $220.3 billion in 2024 — a 12.4% increase from 2023. The trade data reveal a gradual but strategic shift away from raw commodity exports toward more industrial and value-added goods, such as machinery, motor vehicles, chemicals, and electronics.
“This shift signals our continent’s transition from raw commodity dependency toward industrial diversification — a shift that will only be sustained by stronger logistics and manufacturing value chains,” the Secretary-General noted.
He also highlighted the role of key AfCFTA instruments in facilitating trade, including:
The Rules of Origin framework,
The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS),
The e-Certificate of Origin,
The Digital Trade Protocol, and
The AfCFTA Private Sector Engagement Strategy.
The AfCFTA Adjustment Fund
A major milestone of this year’s fair is the official launch of the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund, a facility designed to cushion short-term revenue losses for countries and support SMEs and industries adapting to the new market realities of the free trade area.
“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,” the Secretary-General emphasized.
Strategic Priorities for Africa’s Trade Future
Four strategic imperatives were outlined in the speech to ensure the AfCFTA’s success:
- Boosting Connectivity and Infrastructure: Calls to accelerate the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). Investment in trade corridors, digital infrastructure, and logistics hubs remains urgent.
2. Inclusive Integration: Support mechanisms like the Adjustment Fund are crucial to ensure no country or firm is left behind.
3. Mobilizing Domestic and Diaspora Capital: The African diaspora and local investors are critical engines of growth in sectors such as Agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, and digital technology.
4. Green and Sustainable Industrialization: Emphasized the need for trade that supports renewable energy, climate resilience, and sustainable development across the continent.
IATF 2025: A Platform for Action
Far beyond a networking event, the IATF has become a continental deal-making platform, where policy is translated into practice. Participants are expected to sign new MoUs, launch ventures, and strengthen regional value chains in alignment with AfCFTA’s mission.
“Let us use this Fair not only as a showcase, but as a platform for action and concrete commitments,” the Secretary-General urged. “Through our collective efforts, let us send a clear message to the world: Africa is ready.”
The fair runs throughout the week in Algiers and is expected to generate renewed momentum for Africa’s single market, the largest in the world by number of countries, as it transitions from planning to tangible, transformative execution
MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The 4th edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) opened in Algiers with a call to action from the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), H.E. Wamkele Mene, who declared Africa’s market “open for business” and urged governments, investors, and businesses to seize the moment to deepen regional integration and economic transformation.
Hosted by the Government of Algeria under the theme: “Gateway to New Opportunities,” the Fair has drawn a record 35,000 participants and 2,000 exhibitors, with US$44 billion in trade and investment deals expected — surpassing the previous edition’s US$43 billion signed in Cairo in 2023.
“The true success of IATF lies not only in numbers, but in the jobs created, the SMEs empowered, and the markets unlocked,” the Secretary-General said during his opening address. “Africa’s future is in its own hands, and the AfCFTA is the vehicle to drive us there.”
AfCFTA’s Growing Impact on the African Continent
According to the latest African Trade Report 2025 by Afreximbank, intra-African trade surged to $220.3 billion in 2024 — a 12.4% increase from 2023. The trade data reveal a gradual but strategic shift away from raw commodity exports toward more industrial and value-added goods, such as machinery, motor vehicles, chemicals, and electronics.
“This shift signals our continent’s transition from raw commodity dependency toward industrial diversification — a shift that will only be sustained by stronger logistics and manufacturing value chains,” the Secretary-General noted.
He also highlighted the role of key AfCFTA instruments in facilitating trade, including:
The Rules of Origin framework,
The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS),
The e-Certificate of Origin,
The Digital Trade Protocol, and
The AfCFTA Private Sector Engagement Strategy.
The AfCFTA Adjustment Fund
A major milestone of this year’s fair is the official launch of the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund, a facility designed to cushion short-term revenue losses for countries and support SMEs and industries adapting to the new market realities of the free trade area.
“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,” the Secretary-General emphasized.
Strategic Priorities for Africa’s Trade Future
Four strategic imperatives were outlined in the speech to ensure the AfCFTA’s success:
- Boosting Connectivity and Infrastructure: Calls to accelerate the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). Investment in trade corridors, digital infrastructure, and logistics hubs remains urgent.
2. Inclusive Integration: Support mechanisms like the Adjustment Fund are crucial to ensure no country or firm is left behind.
3. Mobilizing Domestic and Diaspora Capital: The African diaspora and local investors are critical engines of growth in sectors such as Agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, and digital technology.
4. Green and Sustainable Industrialization: Emphasized the need for trade that supports renewable energy, climate resilience, and sustainable development across the continent.
IATF 2025: A Platform for Action
Far beyond a networking event, the IATF has become a continental deal-making platform, where policy is translated into practice. Participants are expected to sign new MoUs, launch ventures, and strengthen regional value chains in alignment with AfCFTA’s mission.
“Let us use this Fair not only as a showcase, but as a platform for action and concrete commitments,” the Secretary-General urged. “Through our collective efforts, let us send a clear message to the world: Africa is ready.”
The fair runs throughout the week in Algiers and is expected to generate renewed momentum for Africa’s single market, the largest in the world by number of countries, as it transitions from planning to tangible, transformative execution.
By: Anthony Williams