Zimbabwe has been chosen to host the headquarters of the newly independent Intra-African Trade Fair Company (IATFCO), marking a significant transformation for Africa’s largest trade and investment platform.
The landmark announcement was made during the Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025) in Algiers on September 26, 2025, by former Nigerian President and Chairman of the IATF Advisory Council, H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
Competitive Selection Process
Zimbabwe emerged victorious from a highly competitive bidding process that included proposals from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Malawi, Zambia, and South Africa. The decision followed rigorous evaluation by the IATF Advisory Council.
According to H.E. Obasanjo, Zimbabwe’s selection was based on several key factors including superior conferencing facilities, robust air connectivity, adequate accommodation capacity, and the government’s commitment to provide land for future expansion.
“This opens a new chapter for IATF as it continues powering growth in intra-African trade and playing its role as the most important trade and investment gathering on the continent,” H.E. Obasanjo said. “IATF is a symbol of Africa’s economic awakening, where the power of trade and investment unifies us from across regions of the African continent and breathes life to the ambition of the African Continental Free Trade Area AfCFTA.”
Strategic Transformation
The establishment of IATFCO represents a crucial evolution for the trade fair, which has traditionally been co-convened biennially by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the African Union Commission, and the AfCFTA Secretariat. This transition aims to create a sustainable, scalable institution that aligns more closely with the African Continental Free Trade Area’s objectives.
The move is designed to accelerate Africa’s economic integration by providing a permanent platform for businesses across the continent to showcase products, explore opportunities, and facilitate trade relationships.
Financial Backing and Support
Professor Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, announced substantial financial support for the new entity. The Afreximbank Board has approved an initial capitalization of US$28 million for the institution.
“This is a huge milestone for IATF. It is encouraging that the Board of Afreximbank has approved an initial capitalisation of US$28 million for the institution,” Prof Oramah said. “While we anticipate that the organisation would strive for financial sustainability, I would like to seize this opportunity to call on African governments, Corporations, and financial institutions to support it during its early teething stage.”
IATF2025 Success
The announcement comes on the heels of a highly successful IATF2025, which concluded on September 10 after seven days of intensive trade and investment activities. The event attracted over 112,000 visitors from 132 countries and hosted 2,148 exhibitors.
The fair generated impressive results, with US$48.3 billion in trade and investment deals signed during the week-long continental exposition, underscoring the event’s growing importance in Africa’s economic landscape.
Continental Impact
The IATF platform is strategically positioned to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA’s single market, which encompasses over 1.4 billion people and represents a combined GDP exceeding US$3.5 trillion.
As an independent entity based in Harare, IATFCO will be better positioned to serve as a permanent catalyst for intra-African trade and investment, providing year-round support for businesses looking to expand across the continent.
The new headquarters will serve as a hub for facilitating trade information exchange, supporting increased intra-African commerce, and helping implement the African Continental Free Trade Agreement’s ambitious goals.
For more information about the Intra-African Trade Fair, visit www.intrafricantradefair.com.
The Intra-African Trade Fair is organized by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), African Union Commission (AUC), and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat. The platform facilitates trade and investment information exchange to support increased intra-African trade and investment, while providing opportunities for continental and global players to showcase goods and services and explore business opportunities across Africa.
