Lagos Nominated to Host 2027 Intra-African Trade Fair
Kehinde Adeleye
Lagos State, Nigeria, has been nominated as the host city for the 2027 Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in partnership with the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.
The nomination marks a historic first for Nigeria and the West African sub-region.
Announcing the decision in Algiers on Friday, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said Lagos’ selection reflects Nigeria’s central role in Africa’s economic integration and the state’s status as a leading commercial and financial hub.
“We are very excited about the choice of Lagos for the 2027 edition of this important fair.
This recognition reflects our resilience, strength, and commitment to the #GreaterLagos journey under our T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda. As we work toward making Lagos a global financial hub, this event will significantly boost our efforts,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Highlighting Lagos’ recent record of hosting world-class events such as GITEX and the upcoming E1 electric boat race the first in Africa, the governor described the nomination as a strong endorsement of the “Spirit of Lagos” and the state’s contribution to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Kaosarat Bada-Ambrose, described the IATF nomination as a proud moment for Lagos and Nigeria, noting that the biennial fair remains the continent’s premier platform for promoting intra-African trade and advancing the AfCFTA.
“Hosting IATF 2027 puts Lagos at the heart of Africa’s trade future. With over 23 million residents, strategic coastal access, and a dynamic entrepreneurial economy, our city offers the perfect setting for meaningful business partnerships. We are ready to welcome Africa and the world,” she said.
The fair is expected to attract more than 1,600 exhibitors, 35,000 visitors, and generate multi-billion-dollar trade and investment deals.
According to Bada-Ambrose, Lagos’ selection is anchored on three key strengths: its position as Nigeria’s economic hub, its role as the gateway to West Africa, and its alignment with AfCFTA objectives.
She confirmed that the Lagos State Government, in partnership with the Federal Government, Afreximbank, the AU, and the AfCFTA Secretariat, will begin preparations to deliver a world-class fair with a focus on infrastructure, logistics, security, and hospitality.
She added that IATF 2027 will serve as a defining moment in Africa’s journey toward an integrated, borderless market that strengthens intra-African trade, business cooperation, and sustainable growth.
Meanwhile, Bada-Ambrose is leading the first delegation of 20 SMEs, trained under the Lagos State Export Readiness Programme (LASERP), to the ongoing 2025 IATF in Algiers, where she delivered the keynote opening address at the SME Pavilion and participated in Nigeria’s Pavilion.
