By George Ozalla
Nigeria has formally signed the hosting agreement for the 2027 Intra-African Trade Fair, positioning Lagos as the venue for one of Africa’s largest trade and investment gatherings aimed at expanding commerce across the continent.
The agreement was signed in Lagos on March 9 between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in partnership with the African Union Commission and the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat.
The trade fair, scheduled to take place from November 5 to 11, 2027, is expected to bring together thousands of exhibitors, investors, policymakers and business leaders from across Africa and other parts of the world as part of ongoing efforts to deepen intra-African trade under the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, who signed the agreement on behalf of the Federal Government, described the development as a significant opportunity for Nigeria and the continent to strengthen economic cooperation and expand trade among African nations.
Oduwole said the Intra-African Trade Fair has continued to serve as a major platform for connecting African businesses and investors, noting that previous editions of the event generated billions of dollars in trade and investment deals across the continent.
In his remarks, the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, George Elombi, said the fair represents a strategic platform for promoting Africa’s single market and encouraging the development of regional value chains.
He stressed the need for African countries to focus on strengthening production capacity and value addition, noting that deeper trade partnerships among African economies would contribute significantly to job creation and economic growth across the continent.
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who chairs the advisory council for the 2027 trade fair, described the signing of the hosting agreement as a milestone for Nigeria and Africa’s economic integration agenda.
Obasanjo noted that Lagos holds a historic place in Africa’s economic cooperation efforts, recalling that the city hosted the adoption of the Lagos Plan of Action in 1980 which promoted industrialisation and economic self-reliance across the continent. He expressed confidence that the 2027 edition of the trade fair would further strengthen Africa’s push toward a unified market.
Also speaking, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, said Lagos was ready to host the continent and provide the necessary environment for businesses, investors and governments to explore new opportunities for economic expansion.
Other dignitaries present at the ceremony included the Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals of the African Union Commission, Francisca Tatchouop Belobe; Executive Vice President of Afreximbank, Kanayo Awani; and Director of Partnerships and Private Sector Engagement at the AfCFTA Secretariat, Cynthia Gnassingbe.
The Intra-African Trade Fair is widely regarded as one of the continent’s most significant platforms for promoting cross-border commerce, facilitating business deals and strengthening partnerships among African countries. Since its launch in 2018, the fair has attracted participants from dozens of countries and generated major trade and investment commitments aimed at boosting economic integration across Africa.
