The Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2025 in Algeria has reaffirmed its status as Africa’s premier investment gateway, and Nigeria has emerged as one of its top beneficiaries. As business leaders and government representatives from across the continent converged under the fair’s banner of “Gateway to New Opportunities,” Nigerian enterprises secured a strong foothold in forging strategic deals, signing memoranda of understanding, and brokering cross-border partnerships.
At the heart of Nigeria’s presence stood the Dangote Group, which was formally welcomed as an Official Premier Partner of IATF 2025. Dabbling extensively in sectors such as cement, fertilisers, petrochemicals, refined petroleum, sugar, salt, and logistics, Dangote exemplifies Nigeria’s industrial muscle and its capacity to shape continental value chains. Afreximbank, which supported Dangote’s transformative ventures like the Refinery and Fertiliser Complex, hailed the partnership as reinforcing “a self-reliant, prosperous Africa where intra-African trade is the cornerstone of growth.”
On the trade front, Nigerian businesses have an impressive track record. In previous editions of IATF, Nigeria accounted for about $11 billion in signed deals—more than any other participant—and a combined $100 billion in deals has been recorded across three editions of the fair. Across the continent, IATF has generated some $120 billion in trade and investment commitments to date.
IATF 2025’s own forecast remains ambitious: $44 billion in dealflow, drawing over 2,000 exhibitors and 35,000-plus visitors from across 140 countries.
Beyond Dangote, strategic partners such as Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms (Arise IIP)—a joint venture between Africa Finance Corporation, Equitane, and Afreximbank—were also named Premier Partners. Their mission is to build local industrial parks and processing zones to turn raw materials into export-ready products. The move underscores Nigeria’s interest in deepening industrialisation across the continent.
The fair also spotlighted Nigeria’s improving export landscape. The Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, revealed that Nigerian exports have surged by over 13 percent year-on-year, thanks to expanding trade corridors and AfCFTA’s implementation. Key exports now reaching across Africa include ceramics, garments, pharmaceuticals, and agro-products.
As for infrastructure, Nigerian delegates left Algiers energized. High-impact projects like the Trans-Saharan Highway, the Nigeria-Algeria gas pipeline, and regional fibre-optic networks were centrepieces of discussion. These corridors promise to slash logistics costs, unlock North African markets, and solidify Nigeria’s position as a hub for continental trade.
In sum, Nigeria’s participation at IATF 2025 illustrates more than presence—it reflects leadership. From securing high-value industrial partnerships with Dangote Group and Arise IIP, to outperforming peers in trade deals, and riding export growth, Nigeria is writing a new chapter in intra-African commerce. The business community would do well to watch these developments—not just as headlines, but as pathways to opportunity.
