The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has announced the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair scheduled to hold from September 25 to October 6, 2026, at the ACCI Trade Fair Complex along Airport Road, Abuja.

The announcement was made during a press briefing in Abuja where the Director General of ACCI, Agabaidu Jideani, formally unveiled the event. Details of the programme were presented by the First Deputy President of the chamber and Chairman of the Fair Organising Committee, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba.

ACCI said the 12 day event will serve as a major platform for trade promotion, investment attraction and enterprise development, bringing together participants from Nigeria and other countries. The chamber projected that the fair will attract more than 500 exhibitors showcasing over 10,000 products and services, while about 100,000 visitors are expected to attend the event.

According to the chamber, participants will include manufacturers, financial institutions, government agencies, diplomatic missions, development partners and private sector stakeholders. It added that the fair will provide opportunities for networking, investment discussions and market expansion for businesses of all sizes.

The 2026 edition of the fair is themed “Resilience: Trade, Taxation and the Economy” and is designed to address key economic challenges affecting businesses in Nigeria. ACCI said the theme reflects ongoing concerns around inflation, currency instability, supply chain disruptions and changes in tax policies that continue to affect business operations across sectors.

The chamber explained that discussions at the fair will focus on taxation reform, trade facilitation and investment opportunities, while also strengthening engagement between businesses and government institutions. It said the platform will encourage business to business interactions as well as business to government dialogue aimed at improving the ease of doing business environment.

ACCI also noted that special attention will be given to emerging sectors including fintech, digital payment systems, taxation technology, agriculture, manufacturing, sustainable transport, food processing and environmental sustainability. These sectors, it said, are critical to diversifying the economy and improving competitiveness in a changing global market.

Side attractions have also been lined up to add cultural and entertainment value to the event. These include the Miss AITF 2026 pageant and the BABAFEST AITF Weekend 2026, a cultural festival that will showcase music, fashion and art exhibitions. The chamber said the festival component is aimed at promoting creative industries while connecting culture with commerce.

ACCI reiterated that the trade fair remains a key instrument for supporting micro, small and medium enterprises, describing them as central to job creation and economic growth in Nigeria. It said the fair will provide visibility, networking opportunities and access to potential investors and partners for small businesses seeking expansion.

The chamber further stated that its operations are guided by several institutional units including the Business Entrepreneurship Skills and Technology Centre, the Nigerian Chamber of Commerce Dispute Resolution Centre, the National Policy Advocacy Centre and the Abuja Trade Centre, which directly manages the fair.

ACCI expressed appreciation to sponsors, exhibitors, government partners and media organisations for their continued support over the years and assured that preparations are ongoing to ensure a successful and impactful 21st edition of the Abuja International Trade Fair.