The organisers of the continent’s business exhibition, the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the African Union (AU) and the host, the government of Rwanda have postponed the second edition of the show by one year citing the coronavirus pandemic.
IATF2020, which was set to run from 1 to 7 September 2020 in Kigali, Rwanda has been moved to 6 to 12 September 2021 in the same city as the Rwandan government remains the host of the event. Following the decision, the trade fair will now be known as IATF2021.
In a statement issued yesterday, the organisers indicated that the decision was endorsed by the Olusegun Obasanjo-chaired IATF2020 Advisory Council during its sixth meeting held virtually on 26 April 2020, after careful assessment of the situation.
The statement highlighted that the continuing COVID-19 pandemic situation was not conducive to holding such an important pan African event which was initially scheduled to take place in just 4 months.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has forced Governments, corporations, and individuals to take unprecedented measures to ensure public safety. It is our responsibility to comply with these measures to protect our host country and ensure the health and safety of all delegates, exhibitors and participants who have confirmed or expressed interest in taking part in the second edition of IATF,” the statement quoted Afreximbank President Professor Benedict Oramah as having said.
The statement also stated that AU Commissioner for Trade and Industry Commissioner for Trade and Industry, Ambassador Albert Muchanga emphasized the need to ensure an urgent response to the pandemic and enabling stakeholders to benefit maximally from participating in the continental trade fair.
“We are facing an unprecedented health crisis. This is the time to join efforts to also mitigate the impact of the pandemic on African economies. We have agreed that the second IATF needed to take place in a more favourable context to enable African countries and companies to take full advantage of the Trade Fair, which will now become an element of their recovery strategy,” said Ambassador Muchanga.
Rwandan Minister of Trade and Industry, Soraya Hakuziyaremye, underscored his government’s commitment to the success of the event.
“The reality we are confronted with today as we fight the spread of Covid-19 has prompted us to look at various factors that will undoubtedly impact African businesses and investors this year. In partnership with Afreximbank and the AU Commission, Rwanda is looking forward to the second IATF in 2021 to boost intra-African trade, which is more than ever crucial to the development of our continent,” Hakuziyaremye said.
The Advisory Council also postponed the third edition of IATF from 2022 to 2023 in line with the two-year intervals between IATF exhibitions