The Federal Government has set a target of securing more than $50 billion in trade and investment deals at the 2027 Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) scheduled to take place in Lagos in November 2027.
The projected deal value is expected to surpass the $48.3 billion agreements recorded during the fourth edition of the fair, which was held in Algiers, Algeria, in September 2025.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, disclosed the target during the signing of the hosting agreement for the fifth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair in Lagos on Monday.
According to the minister, the agreement formally confirms Nigeria’s commitment to host the continental trade event, which is expected to attract more than 100,000 participants both physically and virtually.
“We’re expecting to host over 100,000 physical and virtual guests. We’re expecting to have over $50 billion worth of deals from IATF 2027,” Oduwole said.
She explained that the trade fair serves as a major platform for advancing the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area, which aims to establish a unified market for goods and services across the African continent.
Oduwole also noted that the event strengthens Africa’s economic connections beyond the continent.
“The IATF has made connections with the Caribbean and the diaspora, and we are positioning Nigeria to lead economically in this renaissance,” she added.
The minister said the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment is leading the coordination efforts for the event in collaboration with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council and other key stakeholders.
The fourth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025) held in Algiers from September 4 to September 10, 2025, attracted more than 112,000 visitors from 132 countries, both physically and virtually.
A total of 958 buyers participated, while 2,148 exhibitors from across Africa and other regions showcased their products and services.
Algeria, the host nation, accounted for $11.4 billion, representing 23.6 percent of the total deals signed during the fair.
The event featured several activities, including trade exhibitions, a four-day trade and investment forum, the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme covering fashion, music, film and arts, as well as the Africa Automotive Show.
Business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) matchmaking sessions were also organised to promote partnerships and unlock investment opportunities across the continent.
Meanwhile, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of African Export-Import Bank, George Elombi, said the trade fair has generated an average of $40 billion in deals across its previous four editions.
Elombi described the fair as a transformative platform capable of strengthening partnerships, driving innovation, and improving Africa’s global economic image.
He expressed optimism that the Lagos edition in 2027 could exceed the $50 billion deal target and deepen economic cooperation across Africa.
