Nigeria, Ogun State shine with top awards for ‘Trade Excellence, Sustainability’
Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, has called for a conscious effort towards nurturing the partnerships and collaborations established throughout the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF).
He urged African leaders to ensure that these connections are transformed into concrete, long-term alliances capable of delivering tangible economic outcomes across the continent.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 4th edition of the IATF held in Algiers, Algeria, Obasanjo described the fair as a catalyst for deeper integration, sustained cooperation, and accelerated economic development under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He stated that the true value of the IATF lies in how well African governments, investors, exhibitors, and entrepreneurs are able to build on the momentum created in Algiers.
He said the relationships and networks formed must not end with the event but should evolve into strategic partnerships that address the continent’s critical development needs, ranging from industrialisation and value addition to digital transformation and cross-border trade.
On the success of IATF 2025, Obasanjo noted that the scale, engagement, and enthusiasm witnessed during the weeklong event had exceeded all expectations.
He applauded the leadership of Afreximbank, particularly its President and Chairman of the Board, Prof. Benedict Oramah, for consistently championing Africa’s trade and development agenda through platforms such as the IATF.
Obasanjo also commended the Algerian government for its steadfast support and hospitality, as well as the African Union Commission and the AfCFTA Secretariat for their integral roles in shaping a unified vision for the continent’s economic future.
He urged stakeholders to maintain the spirit of collaboration and unity that defined IATF 2025.
He also reiterated that Africa’s future depends not just on policy or ambition, but on the sustained commitment to turning shared ideas into collective action that will ultimately unlock the full potential of intra-African trade and regional prosperity.
Also, at a post-event press conference following the conclusion of IATF 2025, the President and Chairman of the Board of Afreximbank, Professor Benedict Oramah, described the $50 billion in trade and investment deals recorded at the fair as the most significant achievement in the history of the Intra-African Trade Fair.
Oramah reflected on the journey since the first edition in 2018, noting that what began as a bold step has now evolved into a powerful platform actively resolving longstanding trade challenges across the continent.
He emphasised Afreximbank’s commitment to ensuring that the deals concluded at the fair are not just numbers on paper.
In addition, Oramah assured that the bank would monitor each agreement closely, providing facilitation and support where needed, to guarantee real outcomes before the next edition of the trade fair, which is scheduled to take place in Lagos.
He also stressed the urgent need to mobilise African financial institutions to play a more active role in future editions, noting that one of Africa’s most persistent constraints remains the lack of capital to finance trade and absorb associated risks.
Also speaking, the former President of Afreximbank, Jean-Louis Ekra, hailed the IATF as a proven and powerful instrument for accelerating Africa’s development.
He noted that the momentum built by the trade fair must be translated into completed and impactful deals, especially those that can address structural gaps in intra-African development.
Ekra further highlighted the importance of directing funding and technical support towards empowering young entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized enterprises, and women-led businesses, in the realisation of a more inclusive and resilient African trade ecosystem.
He also called for increased participation from a broader range of countries in subsequent editions of the IATF, asserting that deeper continental engagement is essential to unlocking the full potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Announcing the IATF 2025 report card earlier, the Director of Trade Facilitation and Investment Promotion at Afreximbank, Dr. Gainmore Zanamwe, confirmed that the fair significantly exceeded expectations.
Initially projected to generate $44 billion in trade and investment deals, the event closed with a record-breaking $48.3 billion in concluded agreements.
Attendance also reached new heights, with 112,000 participants from across the globe, making this year’s edition the most successful and widely attended in IATF’s history.
The Algerian government emerged as a key player, sealing the highest volume of deals worth $11.4 billion. In addition, an extra $11.6 billion in agreements are currently in the pipeline, also led by Algeria.
The fair drew 2,148 exhibitors, surpassing the original target of 2,000, while hosting 20 Heads of State and representation from all 55 African Union member countries, alongside other global participants, totaling 132 countries in attendance.
Meanwhile, Nigeria received special recognition at the event, winning the award for ‘Best Stand for Doing Business and Networking,’ in acknowledgment of its vibrant, engaging, and commercially focused presence throughout the fair.
The award highlights Nigeria’s strategic efforts to position itself as a key trade and investment hub on the continent.
In addition, the Ogun State Government was honored with the ‘Eco-Friendly Design and Commitment to Sustainability’ award, celebrating the state’s dedication to promoting green practices and environmentally responsible trade exhibitions.
The recognition underscored Ogun’s growing reputation as a forward-thinking sub-national government championing sustainable industrial growth in Africa.
