WHAT: The Intra-African Trade Fair

WHO: The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the African Union and AfCFTA Secretariat.

WHERE: Cairo, Egypt

WHEN: 9-15 November 2023

The Intra African Trade Fair or IATF was created as a platform for entry into Africa's single market of over a billion people joined together through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) platform. Two immensely successful editions of the IATF have been held in Cairo, Egypt (2018) and Durban, South Africa (2021). IATF 2023 is the third edition, under the theme "Building Bridges for a Successful AfCFTA".

Hosted by The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the African Union and AfCFTA Secretariat, the event will welcome heads of state, senior government officials; continental/global players in multiple sectors.

The African Development Bank is playing a lead sponsorship role in this year's edition, given the active involvement on the IATF Advisory Council, and its commitment to AfCFTA implementation under its "Regional Integration" and "Industrialize Africa" High 5 priorities.

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.

At IATF 2023, $43 billion worth of trade and investment deals are expected to close. The fair will attract 75 participating countries, 1600 business exhibitors, entrepreneurs, investors, financiers and 35,000 buyers and visitors.

The inaugural IATF 2018 held in Cairo, Egypt, saw 1086 exhibitors and businesses participate, surpassing the 1,000 initially anticipated. Deals worth $32 billion were brokered. 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.

Register online at: https://web.cvent.com/event/2c16a9fa-7563-4e25-bc74-a66ecb7cbf47

Contact: Chara Tsitoura, Communication and External Relations Department, email: [email protected]