Accra, Ghana//-The vibrant city of Accra today hosted Ghana Business Roadshow of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2025 to urge Ghanaian businesses to take part in the major trade event to be held in Algiers, Algeria from 4th to 10th September.
The IATF2025 is the fourth edition of IATF, Africa’s premier trade and investment event that is held biennially by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the African Union Commission and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.
The IATF2025 is set to be a landmark event, bringing together over 2,000 exhibitors and more than 35,000 visitors from over 140 countries. The fair is projected to generate upwards of US$44 billion in trade and investment deals, highlighting its critical role in boosting intra-African commerce.
The Ghana IATF2025 Business Roadshow, which is one of several events planned across the continent, ahead of the major event, was themed “Harnessing Regional and Continental Value Chains: Accelerating Africa’s Industrialisation and Global Competitiveness under the AFCFTA,”.
The event brought together policymakers, business leaders, and development partners to explore strategies for boosting intra-African trade and fostering industrial growth across the continent.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, Francis Kwadwo Kwarteng Arthur, expressed his approval and commendation during his remarks.
“At the level of the Minister of State, Ghana’s journey as an intra-African trade fair has been marked by excellence and verifiability. Since its inception in Cairo, Egypt, in December 2018, the IATF has served as a powerful platform for African countries to showcase their products, forge partnerships, and unlock new markets. Ghana has proudly participated from the very first edition under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade and Industry.” He said
Keynote Remarks Highlight the Urgency of Regional Integration
The keynote address presented by Mr. Benjamin Asiama on behalf of the Ghanaian Minister for Trade, Agriculture and Industry, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, emphasised the transformative potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Our goal is to leverage intra-African trade to reduce reliance on external markets, create jobs, and promote sustainable development. This roadshow is a vital step toward realising that vision.” He stated.
The Minister underscored the importance of regional value chains, calling for enhanced collaboration among member states to utilise Africa’s abundant natural and human resources efficiently. He also highlighted the government’s commitment to infrastructural development, including transport, energy, and digital connectivity, to facilitate smoother cross-border trade under the 24-hour economy policy.
We are training SMEs to enhance their readiness to capitalise on external markets. We guide these companies through various procedures and provide training to help them take advantage of opportunities abroad. Currently, we are working with several companies to support them through certification processes and prepare the platform,” he added.
IATF2025 offers a distinctive and valuable platform for businesses to tap into the integrated African market, which encompasses more than 1.4 billion people and boasts a GDP exceeding US$3.5 trillion, established through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
