The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the African Union and AfCFTA Secretariat are hosting the 3rd Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) in Cairo, Egypt.
It is being held at the Egypt International Exhibitions Centre, and is scheduled for the 9th – 15th of November 2023.
The 2023 trade fair brings together continental and global players to explore business and investment opportunities in Africa.
It is a gateway to Africa’s market of one billion people through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Cairo, Egypt (2018), and Durban, South Africa (2021), hosted two immensely successful editions of the IATF.
Intra-African Trade Fair 2023 is the third edition, under the theme “Building Bridges for a Successful AfCFTA”.
This event welcomes heads of state, senior government officials and continental/global players in multiple sectors.
The African Development Bank takes a prominent sponsorship role in this year’s edition, reflecting its active participation in the IATF Advisory Council.
The commitment also extends to AfCFTA implementation, aligning with the bank’s “Regional Integration” and “Industrialize Africa” High 5 priorities.
IATF Empowering Africa
Promoting the competitiveness of African member countries under the AfCFTA agenda also aligns with the Bank’s goal to support private sector development, competitiveness, and strong trade performance for African countries.
The various sectors covered include agri-agrobusiness, health, environment and climate development, infrastructure – power (renewable energy), water, transport and logistics development.
Additionally, at IATF 2023, $43 billion worth of trade and investment deals are expected to close.
The fair will further attract 75 participating countries, 1600 business exhibitors, entrepreneurs, investors, financiers and 35,000 buyers and visitors.
How IATD 2023 Will Help African Businesses
1. Make valuable business connections
IATF is facilitating meetings and networking opportunities with major African trade actors and political stakeholders to accelerate their reach into African markets
2. Strengthen businesses with a mark of quality
Every attendee showcases their attendance with an official certificate of participation. Clients will be able to recognize credentials all year round.
3. A concrete opportunity for trade
IATF is the only pan-African B2B cross-sector trade fair. It’s an opportunity for African buyers and sellers to meet and explore business opportunities.
4. Free year-round business platform
Attendees also get access to IATF Virtual, the year-round platform that allows you to track every lead, interaction and inquiry, making follow-ups easier and more convenient.
5. Showcasing the best of African business
IATF’s attendees will see the best that Africa has to offer, courtesy of a rich and varied events programme.
The inaugural Intra-African Trade Fair was held in 2018 in Cairo, Egypt.
It saw 1086 exhibitors and businesses participate, surpassing the 1,000 initially anticipated. Deals worth $32 billion were brokered.
Likewise, at the second edition in Durban, South Africa in 2021, there were 1,161 exhibitors from 69 countries, of which 46 were African.
The fair attracted 31,400 attendees both “in-person” and virtually. At Durban, deals worth some $42 billion were arranged.
Participation at the IATF2023 provides potential opportunities to build new pipelines and develop businesses in non-traditional business sectors.