Several African leaders have gathered in Durban, South Africa for the second edition of the “Intra African” Trade Fair hosted by the African Export-Import Bank. The Trade Fair started on November 15 and will end on November 21, 2021.
The trade fair is expected to attract about ten thousand buyers and sellers and will generate up to forty billion dollars in trade deals.
In attendance was President Muhammadu Buhari and former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, who also served as the IATF’s 2021 advisory council chairperson. In his opening speech, the former president said that the event helped in the accomplishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“The Intra-African Trade Fair is an important component in writing the wrongs of the past and breaking down borders . It is aimed at building bridges to help us achieve the ambitions of agenda, the Africa we want.” The former President said.
The trade fair aims to provide a platform to share trade, investment, and market information. It will also enable buyers, sellers, investors, and countries to meet, discuss and conclude business deals. The theme for this year: Building bridges for a successful African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) – a single market for goods and services across 55 countries will give a boost to trade and investments across the African continent.
IATF OFFERINGS
The trade fair will offer an opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their goods and services and will also foster engagement between Business to Business (B2B) companies and conclude deals.
IATF will also pose a unique and valuable platform for businesses to have access to a broad African market of over 1.2 billion people with a GDP of over 2.5 trillion USD created under the African continental Free Trade Area.
The line-up of events for the duration of the Trade Fair will include:
Trade & Investment Forum Comprising: This is the IATF 2021 conference featuring African & International speakers, comprising sessions dealing with African trade & investment.
Business-to-Business and Business-to-Government: This will provide opportunities for networking, matchmaking, business exchanges, and conclusion of business and investment deals.
Country Days: On these days, selected countries will showcase their trade, investment, tourism, and cultural opportunities.
Creative Africa: This programme will showcase Africa’s creative economy with a fashion show, music, film & dedicated creative industry exhibition.
IATF Automotive Show: An auto exhibition and auto workshop for B2B/B2G in the automotive industry which will include car manufacturers, assemblers, and original equipment manufacturers.
Youth Start-Up: The programme is dedicated to youth start-ups in Africa where they will be able to showcase their goods and services. The IATF will provide an opportunity for youth start-ups in Africa to network and be matched with venture capitalists. IATF will also offer entrepreneurship training to the start-ups.
InlandTown! 2021
