THE fourth Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) concluded in Algeria last week, and its message was clear: Africa is open for business.
The event was a monumental success, generating a staggering US$48,3 billion in trade and investment deals. Beyond the numbers, a truly significant decision was made for our continent’s future.
Zimbabwe won the competitive bid to host the permanent headquarters of the IATF.
It is crucial to remember that this was a contest among African nations, for an African institution. This victory is not for Zimbabwe alone; it is a victory for every African country that believes in our collective economic destiny. This decision places our trade future firmly in African hands, and now, we must all unite to support it.
However, this bright future depends on us tackling serious challenges. Afreximbank president Benedict Oramah issued a sharp and necessary rebuke at the fair. He noted the “awkward” and disappointing lack of participation from other African financial institutions. His message was simple: we cannot build intra-African trade without African capital.
“We must be deliberate about organising African financial institutions to be here,” he stated, highlighting the critical lack of funding for projects and trade.
“We should see the credit insurance companies. We should see the trade financing institutions.”
This is our first collective call to action. All African financial bodies — development banks, insurers, and commercial banks must now step up and integrate themselves into this process. Zimbabwean institutions, with the headquarters on their doorstep, have a special opportunity to lead.
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Furthermore, Oramah’s call for other nations to help capitalise the new headquarters with more than the initial US$28 million is a direct appeal to continental solidarity. This is our institution; let us fund it together. We cannot afford not to.
Equally, we must urgently address the physical barriers to trade. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat pointed out that many delegates had to travel through Europe or the Middle East to reach the fair. This is unacceptable. Integration is not just about trade rules; it is about connectivity.
As Africans, we must accelerate the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market. Opening our skies will lower costs, improve efficiency, and finally bring our economies and people closer together. Concurrently, continued investment in trade corridors, ports, and digital infrastructure remains a top priority.
The IATF has proven itself to be more than an event; it is the engine of Africa’s economic awakening, having already generated about US$50 billion in deals.
The previous three editions generated combined trade and investment deals worth more than US$120 billion.
With its permanent home now established in Zimbabwe, we have a historic chance to solidify this progress. Let us answer Oramah’s call. Let us support the AfCFTA’s vision for connectivity.
