The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has joined forces with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to facilitate the involvement of Nigerian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) held in Algiers, Algeria.
This partnership is designed to open new market avenues for Nigerian businesses, allowing them to display their products and establish cross-border collaborations, thereby boosting intra-African commerce, innovation, and sustainable economic development.
According to LCCI, “this alliance highlights our mutual dedication to enhancing intra-African trade, fostering innovation, and promoting sustainable growth by enabling SMEs to participate in Africa’s leading trade platform.”
“This initiative also enhances the competitiveness of Nigerian enterprises and supports the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by creating opportunities for economic diversification, employment generation, and expansion of value chains across Africa.”
Yusuf Daya, Director of AU/AfCFTA and International Relations at Afreximbank, emphasized that the partnership reflects the bank’s steadfast commitment to advancing intra-African trade, encouraging export diversification, and stimulating private sector-driven growth throughout the continent.
“The Intra-African Trade Fair acts as a powerful engine for economic transformation, offering African companies the chance to broaden their reach beyond national borders and reinforce regional value chains.”
“By facilitating the participation of 20 Nigerian SMEs at the event, Afreximbank is empowering local businesses while furthering the goals of the AfCFTA,” Daya added.
Looking ahead, the Chamber plans to take an even more active role in IATF2027 by rallying Nigeria’s business community to engage collaboratively in the trade fair, which is scheduled to be hosted in Lagos.
Drawing over 112,000 attendees both virtually and in person from 132 countries, including Nigeria, IATF2025, held from September 4 to 10, 2025, concluded successfully with $48.3 billion worth of trade and investment agreements signed during the seven-day continental event, which featured 2,148 exhibitors.
