Harare to Host Permanent Intra-African Trade Fair Headquarters

The Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) will now operate as a permanent institution, with its headquarters set to be established in Harare, Zimbabwe, under the newly formed Intra-African Trade Fair Company (IATFCO).

The announcement was made at IATF2025 in Algiers, marking a significant step in advancing Africa’s economic integration agenda under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Zimbabwe won the bid to host the headquarters after competing against Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Malawi, Zambia, and South Africa.

According to former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who chairs the IATF Advisory Council, Zimbabwe was chosen because of its modern conferencing facilities, air transport links, accommodation capacity, and its commitment to allocate land for future growth of the institution.

“This marks a new era for IATF, ensuring its role as the continent’s premier trade and investment platform remains strong while boosting intra-African trade,” Obasanjo said.

The institution will be supported by an initial capitalization of US$28 million approved by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). IATFCO will oversee the biennial trade fair, which has grown into Africa’s biggest marketplace for business and investment opportunities.

Afreximbank president Benedict Oramah described the development as a “major milestone” and called on African states, the private sector, and financial institutions to rally behind IATFCO as it takes shape.

The IATF is jointly organized by Afreximbank, the African Union Commission, and the AfCFTA Secretariat. It offers companies an opportunity to exhibit products and services, build partnerships, and access AfCFTA’s single market of more than 1.4 billion people with a combined GDP of over US$3.5 trillion.

This year’s edition, held in Algiers from 4–10 September 2025, drew more than 112,000 participants from 132 countries, featured 2,148 exhibitors, and generated trade and investment deals worth US$48.3 billion.