Organisers of the event in a group photo
The Intra-African Trade Fair in 2023 (IATF2023) would bring together entrepreneurs, financiers, business executives, governments, and regulators in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to discuss methods to enhance trade and investment on the African continent, organisers have said.
The third edition of the fair, organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with the African Union (AU) and the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), is intended to build on the success of the fair held in Durban, South Africa last year.
During a launch in Accra to announce the opening of registrations for the IATF2023 edition, Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria and chair of the IATF Advisory Council, claimed that the IATF2023 edition would beat the 2021 edition (IATF2023).
He said the IATF’s positive outcome in 2021 was proof of what the African continent could achieve if it worked together.
“We are proud to say that the IATF 2021 turned out to be a resoundingly successful week that met and surpassed all our expectations. It epitomized what we can achieve as Africans if we come together,” Chief Olusegun Obasanjo noted.
Looking ahead to the next exhibition, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo stated that SMEs are urged to attend because they are the backbone of African economies.
Valuable platform
Taking her turn, Managing Director of Afreximbank’s Intra-African Trade Initiative, Kanayo Awani, said the fair in 2023 would give a valuable platform for enterprises to access an integrated African market of more than 1.2 billion people with a combined GDP of over $3 trillion.
Mrs Awani predicted that the Abidjan event would generate more business than the previous one.
More than 10,000 people from throughout Africa are anticipated to attend the IATF2023, as well as 30,000 conference delegates and 1,000 thousand exhibitors.
Dr. Gainmore Zanamwe, Head of Trade Facilitation, Afreximbank’s Intra-Africa Trade Initiative, commented on the IATF2023, saying that business-to-business and business-to-government exchanges will create prospects for more deals, business matchmaking, and networking.
The IATF2023 conference will also cover several subject areas with more networking opportunities, such as the IATF Youth Start-Up programme, which will highlight the support that youth-owned companies and small and medium-sized businesses require to survive.
Capacity building, mentoring, access to funding, enabling infrastructure, government policy, and market linkages will all be included.
According to Dr. Zanamwe, the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) would provide a forum for Africa’s creative and cultural sectors to meet with politicians, renowned investors, and thought leaders in the field.
The IATF Automotive Show is scheduled to highlight Africa’s thriving automotive industry, encouraging automobile and car equipment makers, assemblers, and component suppliers to display their wares and learn more about other companies and market potential.
He pointed out that the specific Country Days would allow participating countries to highlight trade and investment opportunities, as well as any tourism and cultural attractions.
Similarly, the host Cote d’Ivoire and other participating countries in the week-long event would be granted day opportunities.
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