The 2023 edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), which was pencilled to be hosted by Cote d’Ivoire in Abidjan from 21 to 27 November 2023, has been moved to Egypt. This was announced by the organisers of the continental confex this week.
“Originally scheduled for Abidjan, the 3rd Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2023) has a new host city and dates. Cairo, Egypt will be the vibrant venue for this prestigious event, taking place from 9 to 15 November 2023. We want to express our gratitude to the Egyptian government for stepping in as the new host and their unwavering commitment to promoting trade across the African continent,” said the organisers in a statement.
This is the second time that Egypt will be hosting the continental exhibition and conference.
“Egypt, the host country of the successful inaugural IATF in 2018, offers top-notch infrastructure and facilities, ensuring an exceptional experience for exhibitors, conference delegates, buyers, and trade visitors. We are confident that our collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Trade and Industry will make IATF2023 an unparalleled success,” read part of the statement.
The organisers, however, did not disclose the reasons for moving the event from Cote d’Ivoire to Egypt. Cote d’Ivoire signed the hosting agreement which confirmed the West African country as the host of the event. This followed the announcement of Cote d’Ivoire as the host of IATF2023 in Durban, South Africa, in November 2021 at the end of the second edition of the event.
This is the second time that the organisers have changed hosts of the event. The second edition of the event was set to be hosted by Rwanda in 2020 but was moved to South Africa in 2021 after Kigali’s preparations had been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The event is organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in collaboration with the African Union (AU) and the Ghana-based African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) Secretariat.
The IATF is regarded as one of the vehicles to realise the ACFTA by bringing together continental and global buyers and sellers. It also enables stakeholders to trade, invest and share market information as well as trade finance and trade facilitation solutions designed to support intra-African trade and the economic integration of the continent.
The edition of the event, which was held in Durban, recorded 1 501 exhibitors, 32 541 visitors, 69 exhibiting countries and US$ 42.1 billion in trade and investment deals. The organisers are projecting 1 600 visitors, 35 000 visitors, 75 exhibiting countries and US$43 billion in investment and trade and investment deals.