Intra-African Trade Fair

What Intra-African Trade Fair does

The Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) is a biennial pan-African trade exhibition and marketplace, established in 2018 and organized by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with the African Union Commission and the AfCFTA Secretariat. It serves African businesses, investors, governments, entrepreneurs, and creative industries by providing a centralized platform to explore intra-continental trade and investment opportunities aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area, which encompasses a market of 1.4 billion people and a combined GDP exceeding $3.5 trillion. Core products include the IATF Virtual Platform (an interactive year-round online marketplace for showcasing goods, services, and investment opportunities), an Exhibitor Portal with B2B, B2G, and G2G matchmaking, IATF Virtual Booths providing 12-month online presence, and dedicated verticals including Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX), the Africa Automotive Show, and the Africa Research and Innovation Hub (ARIH). The fourth edition, IATF2025 in Algiers, Algeria, recorded $48 billion in trade and investment deals, drew 112,476 delegates and trade visitors, and attracted 2,148 exhibitors from 132 countries. The organization is transitioning into an independent, permanent African institution headquartered in Harare, Zimbabwe, with the fifth edition (IATF2027) scheduled to be hosted by Nigeria. Revenue is generated through exhibitor fees, corporate sponsorships, and virtual platform access subscriptions, although specific pricing is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Intra-African Trade Fair

Legal name

Intra-African Trade Fair

Website

https://2025.iatf.africa

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Intra-African Trade Fair is a biennial Afreximbank-organized pan-African marketplace that connects African businesses, governments, and investors via physical exhibitions and a year-round virtual platform, serving participants across 132 countries and supporting AfCFTA-driven intra-continental trade.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Fair and Exhibition Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Virtual Trade Shows & Expos (Digital Booths, Lead Capture) (MPAGAOAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Manufacturing, Industrial Equipment & Automation Shows Organizers (THAHABAF)

Keywords

• Trade fair exhibition services
• B2B matchmaking platform
• Intra-African trade events
• Virtual trade marketplace
• Continental trade facilitation

Headquarters

HQ city

Cairo

HQ country

Egypt

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Exhibitor Fees: Revenue generated from businesses and organizations paying to exhibit at the trade fair, with access to exhibitor portal, online diary, exhibitor listing, and matchmaking services
2. Sponsorship: Revenue from organizations sponsoring the event, as evidenced by the Advisory Council Members section listing major corporate sponsors
3. Virtual Platform Access: IATF Virtual Booth access provided to exhibitors for 1 year as part of exhibitor benefits

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) organizes biennial pan-African trade fair events combined with a year-round virtual exhibition platform (IATF Virtual), connecting African businesses, governments, and investors across 132 countries through exhibitor booths, B2B and B2G matchmaking, speed networking, and specialized zones such as Creative Africa Nexus, Africa Automotive Show, and Trade & Investment Forum. The organization is transitioning into an independent permanent African institution headquartered in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Product overview

The Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) operates as a marketplace event platform organized by Afreximbank in partnership with the African Union Commission and AfCFTA Secretariat. The platform consists of a physical trade fair combined with a virtual platform that persists year-round. Key offerings include the IATF Virtual Platform for online showcasing of goods and investment opportunities, an Exhibitor Portal with B2B/B2G matchmaking and speed networking capabilities, and IATF Virtual Booths for extended exhibitor presence. The platform covers 20+ industry sectors including Agriculture, Automotive, Creative Industries, Finance, ICT, Manufacturing, and Energy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IATF Virtual: Online platform for showcasing goods, services and investment opportunities, continuing after the Trade Fair concludes
• Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX)
• Africa Automotive Show
• Africa Research and Innovation Hub (ARIH)

Products and services

• IATF Virtual Platform Interactive online platform enabling exhibitors to showcase goods, services, and investment opportunities, with matchmaking capabilities that persist beyond the physical biennial trade fair event.
• Exhibitor Portal and Online Marketplace Online portal and marketplace providing exhibitor listings, business discovery, and a directory of participating organizations and their products/services across IATF editions.
• B2B and B2G Matchmaking Programme Structured business-to-business and business-to-government exchange platform facilitating development of business opportunities through curated matchmaking, speed networking sessions, and engagement programs for exhibitors, buyers, and government participants.
• IATF Virtual Booth (1-Year Access) Virtual booth offering provided to exhibitors for 12 months, enabling continued online presence, lead capture, and business engagement beyond the physical Trade Fair dates.
• Biennial Intra-African Trade Fair Event (IATF Editions) Flagship biennial physical trade fair held in rotating African host countries, featuring country pavilions, sector-specific exhibitions, conference programs, and special days, attracting thousands of exhibitors and tens of thousands of delegates from across the continent.
• Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) Specialized programme and exhibition area at IATF dedicated to creative industries, entertainment, content licensing, and talent discovery across Africa.
• Africa Automotive Show Focused exhibition and programme segment at IATF promoting intra-African automotive trade, vehicle manufacturing, automotive parts, and electric vehicle transition, run in partnership with the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM).
• Trade and Investment Forum Conference programme component of IATF bringing together continental and global players to discuss trade, investment, and market information, identify solutions for intra-African trade challenges, and share trade finance and trade facilitation interventions from Afreximbank and partner financial institutions.
• Africa Research and Innovation Hub (ARIH) Dedicated research and innovation programme at IATF seeking to unlock up to US$70 billion annually in economic gains for Africa through research collaboration, innovation showcase, and intellectual outputs aligned with IATF sector priorities.

Quantifiable outcome

• $48 billion in trade and investment deals recorded at IATF2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Nigeria GovernmentflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 March 2026The Federal Republic of Nigeria signed the host agreement for IATF2027, taking over from Algeria. Nigeria will serve as host for Africa's biggest marketplace, providing venue, government support, and promotional infrastructure.
• Zimbabwe GovernmentflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 September 2025Zimbabwe will host the headquarters of IATF's new independent entity, marking the transition of the trade fair into a permanent African institution. This partnership establishes the institutional framework for IATF's future operations.
• International Trade Centre (ITC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 September 2025Afreximbank and ITC renewed and expanded their MoU to support intra-African trade. ITC provides trade facilitation expertise, market intelligence, and capacity building for small businesses participating in the IATF.
• African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 September 2025Afreximbank renewed its MoU with AAAM to promote the industrialization of Africa's automotive sector. This partnership supports the Africa Automotive Show segment at IATF and aims to develop intra-African automotive supply chains and trade.
• African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfreximbank is the primary organizer of the Intra-African Trade Fair. As Africa's premier multilateral financial institution dedicated to the continent's trade and economic development, Afreximbank provides institutional backing, trade finance expertise, and extensive continental network to the IATF. The bank coordinates trade finance facilities and programs accessible to IATF participants.
• African Union CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe African Union Commission serves as a co-organizer of the IATF, providing political legitimacy and continental governance framework. This partnership ensures alignment with AU trade policies and facilitates government participation across member states.
• AfCFTA SecretariatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe AfCFTA Secretariat is a co-organizer, ensuring the IATF directly supports the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. This partnership provides the framework for intra-African trade opportunities highlighted at the event.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• RX Global (Reed Exhibitions): Global organizer of exhibitions and trade fairs across multiple industries. Comparable because it operates large multi-sector exhibition portfolios with similar B2B matchmaking and exhibitor monetization models.
• Clarion Events: Global organizer of trade shows and conferences, including Africa-focused events such as Africa's Big 7. Particularly relevant as a competitor organizing sector-specific African trade events.
• Messe Frankfurt: One of the world's largest trade fair companies, running flagship events like Ambiente and Texcare with extensive international exhibitor bases. Peer due to its multi-sector, rotation-based exhibition model and global matchmaking focus.
• Informa Markets: The world's largest trade show organizer (part of Informa PLC), running events across multiple verticals globally. Comparable as a broad incumbent with scale events, digital platforms, and emerging-market reach.
• Messe Düsseldorf: Major German trade fair organizer (e.g., MEDICA, drupa, K) with strong emerging-market exhibitor participation. Comparable for its multi-sector exhibition portfolio and global B2B matchmaking.
• Messe München: German trade fair organizer behind major events like BAU and IFAT. Comparable as a multi-sector, B2B-focused exhibition operator with international exhibitor participation.

Direct peers

• dmg events: A major organizer of large-scale international trade fairs with strong MEA presence (e.g., Big 5 construction events, Adipec energy events). Directly comparable as a multi-sector trade fair operator with rotating emerging-market editions.
• Trade Fair Confair (SAITEX): Africa's leading B2B trade fair (South African International Trade Exhibition). Direct competitor in the African trade fair space, targeting intra-African and Africa-international trade buyers.

Regional players

• CCPIT (China Council for the Promotion of International Trade): State-affiliated organizer of Chinese trade fairs and missions, including Africa-focused expos. Comparable as a publicly-backed, multi-sector trade fair organizer with strong government support and international expansion mandate.
• Gulf Exhibitions & Events (Expo Centre Sharjah): Operator of regional trade fairs in the Gulf. Comparable as a regionally anchored, government-supported trade fair organization targeting B2B exhibitors and cross-border commerce.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/iatf2025
• Facebookfacebook.com/intrafricantradefair
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/intra-african-trade-fair

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Intra-African Trade Fair