Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has described the nomination of Lagos as Nigeria’s host city for the 2027 Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) as a historic milestone for the state, the country, and the West African sub-region.
The announcement was made by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the African Union, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat at the ongoing IATF 2025 in Algiers, according to a statement released on Monday by Mr. Adewale Akodu, spokesperson for the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment.
IATF is Africa’s premier trade and investment event, held every two years to boost intra-African trade and fast-track AfCFTA implementation.
Reacting to the news, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the choice of Lagos reaffirms Nigeria’s pivotal role in Africa’s economic integration and underscores the state’s position as the continent’s commercial nerve centre.
“We are very excited about the choice of Lagos for the 2027 edition of this important fair. But we are not surprised because it is a reflection of our resilience, our strength, and our commitment to the Greater Lagos journey as illustrated by our T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor linked the nomination to the state’s growing global profile, citing Lagos’ recent hosting of GITEX, the global tech expo, and its upcoming E1 electric boat race — Africa’s first.
Sanwo-Olu assured participants of a successful outing in Lagos, describing the fair as a vivid acknowledgement of the state’s alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose, described the hosting right as a strategic milestone that will attract over 1,600 exhibitors, 35,000 visitors, and generate billions of dollars in trade and investment deals.
“Hosting the IATF 2027 positions us at the forefront of Africa’s trade future and reaffirms our commitment to fostering regional collaboration, investment, and innovation,” Ambrose said.
She added that Lagos’ population of over 23 million, strategic coastal access, and entrepreneurial economy made it the ideal setting for the biannual event. Preparations, she noted, would focus on infrastructure, logistics, security, and hospitality to deliver a world-class fair.
Ambrose also led a delegation of 20 SMEs from Lagos’ Export Readiness Programme to the ongoing IATF 2025 in Algiers, where she delivered the keynote address at the SME Pavilion for Africa and participated in the Nigeria Pavilion.
The Lagos State Government said the 2027 fair would not only boost Nigeria’s trade competitiveness but also leave a legacy of deeper economic integration across Africa.
