Chris Koney’s column: Algeria hosts a successful Intra African Trade Fair 2025 

After a smooth four-hour flight from Cairo, I arrived in Algeria’s capital, Algiers, popularly referred to as the white city, (Alger la Blanche in French) due to its dazzling white buildings cascading down the slopes of the Sahel Hills to the Mediterranean Sea.

As the largest city of Algeria, it is a historic port with French and Arab influences, a major administrative and economic center, and home to the ancient Casbah of Algiers.

After disembarking, I was received by two young officers from the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Communication unit at the Presidency. They took me through the immigration process and swiftly retrieved my checked luggage from the baggage carousel. I rode in a black Mercedes-Benz sedan to the four – star Golden Tulip Royaume Hotel, strategically located five minutes from the airport.

Professor Mehdi Boukaouma of the University of Algiers, who also manages communications at the Algerian Presidency, welcomed me at the hotel reception. After we exchanged pleasantries, he introduced his colleague responsible for my daily schedule and required logistics as requested by the Algerian Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Mourad Louhaidia.       

I was in Algeria to participate in the Intra–African Trade Fair (IATF 2025) from September 4-10, 2025 hosted by the Government of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria and organized by the Afreximbank Group in cooperation with the African Union Commission and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The event sought to promote trade and investment, foster collaboration, and support the implementation of the AfCFTA.

IATF 2025 was a critical platform, which highlighted innovation and entrepreneurship, with significant potential for youth involvement. Its success was as a result of the record number of trade and investment deals, exhibitors and participants, the showcase of various African products and technologies, in addition to the extensive participation of non-African countries and international businesses.

The opening ceremony, addressed by Algerian President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, among other dignitaries, featured a lively summit style discussion that saw the participation of fourteen (14) Heads of State and government, 6 representatives of government as well as 41 ministers and deputy ministers.

According to the IATF 2025 Report Card, the event welcomed 2,148 exhibitors and featured major activities, including a trade exhibition by countries and businesses, a four-day trade and investment forum graced by leading African and international speakers, the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme with its own dedicated exhibition covering fashion, music, film, arts and craft, sports, literature and gastronomy, as well as the Africa Automotive Show.

The robust and enriching programme also included nine Special Days hosted by countries and organisations to showcase their trade and investment opportunities, including an IATF2025 Global Africa Day that highlighted commercial and cultural ties between Africa and its diaspora, the Arise IIP Industrial Day and the Dangote Day as well as Country Days by Algeria, Kenya, Tunisia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Cote d’Ivoire.

B2B and B2G matchmaking programmes were held to facilitate strategic partnerships and government collaborations to unlock new opportunities while the AU Youth Start-Up Programme showcased innovative ideas and prototypes, and the Africa Research and Innovation Hub @IATF targeted the academia and national researchers. The activities were preceded by the IATF Virtual Platform which had already been live throughout the year, connecting exhibitors and visitors.

Addressing the closing ceremony,  Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria and Chairman of the Advisory Council of IATF2025, said that the trade fair had surpassed all expectations and targets set by the organisers and expressed “a sense of accomplishment and feeling of satisfaction” at the outcome.

Chief Obasanjo attributed the successful outcome to the vibrant exchanges and dynamic partnerships that pervaded the trade fair and said that, more than being just a trade fair, IATF2025 was a testament to a more integrated and prosperous Africa. “Through vibrant exchanges and partnerships, IATF2025 has exceeded our expectations and now stands as the biggest ever. It has sown the seed of future prosperity for our shared vision of an economically integrated Africa. We need to continue building on these established connections in exploring new opportunities, working together to realize the full benefits of AfCFTA,” he added.

There were also enriching discussions by political, business and other leaders on key Intra-African trade issues during the conference segment of the trade fair, with some of the most sought-after African and international speakers participating.

The post Chris Koney’s column: Algeria hosts a successful Intra African Trade Fair 2025  appeared first on The Business & Financial Times.

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