On June 10, 2025, Dr Yemi Kale, Managing Director and Group Chief Economist of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), addressed a gathering of esteemed guests at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) Roadshow held in Accra, Kempinski Hotel.
This event, themed “Harnessing Regional and Continental Value Chains: Accelerating Africa’s Industrialisation and Global Competitiveness under the AfCFTA,” aimed to build momentum towards the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) scheduled for September 4-10 in Algiers, Algeria.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Kale expressed gratitude to the Government of Ghana and various stakeholders, including Oakwood Green Africa and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, for their commitment to Africa’s economic transformation.
He emphasised the urgent need for Ghana’s public and private sectors to actively participate in the upcoming trade fair, highlighting it as a pivotal opportunity for the nation to showcase its potential on a continental stage.
Dr Kale articulated a vision where Africa enhances intra-continental trade, focusing not just on raw materials but also on value-added goods, services, and innovations.
He underscored the critical role of the AfCFTA as a legal and policy framework that the IATF serves as a commercial engine to facilitate trade across the continent.
One of the key challenges mentioned was the lack of access to timely and actionable market intelligence, which hinders trade growth.
He pointed out discrepancies in sectors like leather and meat, where African countries import vast amounts despite having the capacity to produce locally.
“These imbalances represent missed opportunities for job creation and economic diversification,” he noted.
Highlighting the progress made since the inception of the IATF, Dr. Kale shared impressive statistics from previous editions, including the 2023 fair in Cairo, which attracted nearly 2,000 exhibitors and generated US$43.7 billion in trade deals.
“These numbers are a testament to Africa’s appetite for intra-continental trade and its ability to convert vision into value,” he stated.
As the host of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Dr. Kale stressed Ghana’s unique position to lead in Africa’s integration agenda, citing its growing manufacturing base and dynamic SME ecosystem.
He called on Ghanaian businesses, government agencies, and youth innovators to prepare for IATF 2025, aiming for significant representation that showcases the strength of Ghana’s private sector.
The IATF 2025 promises to be an expansive event with over 2,000 exhibitors from more than 75 countries expected, alongside a diverse program that includes trade exhibitions, investment forums, and innovative showcases.
Dr Kale further urged Ghanaian stakeholders to seize this opportunity, asserting that the IATF is not merely a marketplace but a strategic tool for economic development.
As he concluded, Dr Kale also reiterated the importance of the IATF in connecting ambition with capital and urged participants to mobilise and lead, ensuring Ghana occupies a prominent role in the continental dialogue.
“Let us ensure that when Africa gathers in Algiers this September, Ghana is at the heart of the conversation—and the front of the opportunity,” he affirmed.
Business Roadshow
Instructively, the Ghana IATF2025 Business Roadshow is one of several events planned across the continent, ahead of the IATF2025 that will be held in Algiers, Algeria, from 4 – 10 September 2025.
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 expected 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.
By Godwin Dzigbanu, African Eye Report
