IATF Lagos 2027: NACCIMA Applauds Hosting Rights as a ‘National Honour’ and ‘Continental Responsibility’

The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) In its reflection, NACCIMA notes that the hosting rights reaffirm Nigeria’s leadership role in driving AfCFTA objectives and expanding intra-African trade.

When the African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim Bank) first conceived the idea of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) in 2018, the vision was clear,  to create a single continental marketplace where businesses could connect, trade, and unlock the true potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Since then, the fair has grown into Africa’s premier platform for showcasing goods, services, and investment opportunities. Cairo hosted the maiden edition in 2018, Durban carried the torch in 2021, and Cairo returned as host in 2023, each fair drawing thousands of exhibitors, investors, and policymakers. Together, they have generated billions of dollars in trade and investment deals, proving the transformative power of African markets working together.

Now, the journey is coming to Lagos, Nigeria, in 2027 said the NACCIMA Secretariat, described the development as “a national honour and continental responsibility”.

For Nigerian businesses, particularly Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the event represents an unprecedented opportunity. With over 1.3 billion consumers under AfCFTA’s umbrella, Nigerian products, services, and innovations will be showcased not just to African partners but to global markets eager to engage with Africa’s growth story.

Looking back at previous IATFs, the benefits are clear:

• Cairo 2018 unlocked trade deals worth more than $32 billion, setting the benchmark.
• Durban 2021 pushed boundaries further, emphasizing industrialization and supply chain integration.
• Cairo 2023 deepened Africa’s digital and creative economy presence, attracting global attention.

Building on this trajectory, Lagos 2027 is expected to be a defining moment, a chance to cement Nigeria’s role as Africa’s trade hub.

NACCIMA highlighted several anticipated benefits:

• Greater visibility and competitiveness for Nigerian enterprises in African markets.
• Stronger access to finance, investment, and partnerships for MSMEs.
• Job creation and value-chain expansion across sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and technology.
• Positioning Lagos as Africa’s gateway city for trade, investment, and innovation.

The association pledged to mobilize the organized private sector to ensure active participation. “We will work with the Federal Government, Lagos State, Afrexim Bank, the African Union, and partners across the continent to deliver an impactful IATF 2027,” said NACCIMA leadership, represented by Engr. (Dr.) Jani Ibrahim, National President, and Director General, Engr. Sola Obadimu.

Reflecting on the journey from past host cities to Lagos, NACCIMA emphasized that IATF 2027 is more than just a trade fair. It is an opportunity to write a new chapter in Africa’s economic integration story, with Nigeria at the center stage.

“On behalf of the Nigerian private sector, we welcome Africa and the world to Lagos in 2027. It is time for Nigerian entrepreneurs and innovators to seize this historic opportunity to connect, trade, and prosper,” NACCIMA declared.

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