Afreximbank Projects $44 Billion in Trade Deals at IATF 2025 in Bold Push for Intra-African Growth
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is forecasting over US$44 billion in trade and investment agreements at the upcoming Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025). The event, scheduled to take place from September 4–10 in Algiers, Algeria, is expected to be the largest and most significant edition yet. With more than 2,000 exhibitors from over 75 countries and upwards of 35,000 participants, IATF 2025 is set to be a milestone in advancing African economic integration.
Afreximbank sees the event as a critical platform for shifting Africa’s trade narrative from dependency on raw materials to a focus on value-added goods and services. According to Dr. Yemi Kale, the Bank’s Managing Director for Research and Group Chief Economist, the Fair aligns with the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and aims to convert policy into practical business achievements. He emphasized the importance of intra-African collaboration in achieving meaningful and sustainable economic progress.
During a promotional roadshow in Accra, Ghana, Dr. Kale extended a special invitation to the Ghanaian government and private sector, urging them not just to participate, but to take a leadership role at IATF 2025. “We are not just asking Ghana to attend—we are here to invite Ghana to lead,” he stated, calling for active Ghanaian involvement through business exhibitions, regional pavilions, cultural showcases, and commercial deal-making.
Dr. Kale also highlighted Ghana’s strategic role in the Bank’s vision for regional development. Referring to Ghana as an “integral part” of Afreximbank’s long-term agenda, he pointed out that the country has been a founding member and a key beneficiary of the Bank’s support across multiple sectors. This history of cooperation underscores Ghana’s importance in the broader context of African economic transformation.
As preparations intensify for IATF 2025, Afreximbank’s strong projections signal growing optimism about the potential of intra-African trade under the AfCFTA framework. With a target of over $44 billion in deals, the Fair is expected to catalyze commercial linkages and foster investment across the continent, reinforcing Africa’s drive toward self-reliance and diversified economic growth.
Source: Citi newsroom