Zimbabwe to Host New Intra-African Trade Fair Headquarters
Zimbabwe has been selected as the host nation for the headquarters of the Intra-African Trade Fair’s new independent entity, marking a major step in strengthening Africa’s drive towards economic integration.
The Intra-African Trade Fair Company (IATFCO) was officially unveiled at IATF2025 in Algiers. The move transitions the fair into a permanent African institution designed to be sustainable, scalable, and closely aligned with the ambitions of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Following a rigorous bidding process, Zimbabwe emerged the winner ahead of Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Malawi, Zambia, and South Africa. The country’s modern conferencing facilities, strong air connectivity, accommodation capacity, and land pledged for expansion secured its selection.
Announcing the decision, IATF Advisory Council Chairman and former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, said: “This opens a new chapter for IATF as it continues powering growth in intra-African trade and unifying us through the African Continental Free Trade Area. IATF is a symbol of Africa’s economic awakening.”
Afreximbank President and Chairman, Prof. Benedict Oramah, congratulated Zimbabwe and confirmed that the bank’s Board had approved an initial capitalisation of US$28 million for IATFCO. He called on African governments, corporations, and financial institutions to lend their support during the institution’s early stages.
IATF, co-convened by Afreximbank, the African Union Commission, and the AfCFTA Secretariat, has become Africa’s premier trade and investment gathering. The 2025 edition in Algiers drew more than 112,000 visitors from 132 countries and generated US$48.3 billion in trade and investment deals. With 2,148 exhibitors showcasing goods and services, the fair highlighted the vast opportunities available across AfCFTA’s single market of 1.4 billion people and a combined GDP exceeding US$3.5 trillion.
The establishment of IATFCO in Harare is expected to enhance the fair’s impact, providing Africa with a permanent hub to drive trade, investment, and economic transformation.
For further details, visit: www.IntraAfricanTradeFair.com.
