As part of efforts to entrench and drive the adoption of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), alongside the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), supported and trained select small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) held in Algiers, Algeria.

Noting that the initiative provided entrepreneurs with an unparalleled platform to access new markets and showcase their products, the duo revealed that businesses also forged cross-border partnerships and enhanced export readiness.

They further noted that the collaboration underscored a shared commitment to driving intra-African trade, innovation and sustainable economic growth by facilitating SME participation in Africa’s premier trade marketplace.

They added that the initiative further strengthened the competitiveness of Nigerian businesses and advanced AfCFTA’s goals by unlocking opportunities for diversification, job creation and value-chain expansion across the continent.

Director of AU/AfCFTA and International Relations, Afreximbank, Yusuf Daya, said the partnership aligns with both Afreximbank and LCCI’s shared commitment to promoting trade and private sector development.

“LCCI and Afreximbank are proud to champion this milestone, which reaffirms our dedication to empowering SMEs as the backbone of Africa’s economic future and ensuring that Nigeria’s private sector plays a leading role in shaping the continent’s trade and investment landscape.”

Daya said that it reflected the bank’s unwavering commitment to promoting intra-African trade, fostering export diversification and driving private-sector-led growth across the continent.

“The Intra-African Trade Fair is a catalyst for economic transformation, providing African businesses with opportunities to expand beyond borders and strengthen regional value chains. By supporting the recent participation of 20 Nigerian SMEs in the Fair, Afreximbank is not only empowering indigenous enterprises but also advancing the objectives of the AfCFTA,” he said.

LCCI said the chamber will play an even bigger role during IATF2027 by mobilising the business community in Nigeria to collaborate on the trade fair planned to be held in Lagos, Nigeria.