Algeria: CANEX to take centre stage at Intra-African Trade Fair 2025

The trade fair, which serves as Africa’s premier trade and investment platform, will take place in Algiers, Algeria, from 4 to 10 September 2025 and is expected to attract over 35 000 visitors from more than 140 countries. The programme will feature a dedicated exhibition and summit focusing on sectors such as music, fashion, film, arts and crafts, sports, literature, gastronomy, and culinary arts.

As part of the final preparations, Algeria’s Minister of External Trade and Export Promotion, Mohammed Boukhari, addressed the fourth meeting of the IATF Advisory Council, where he reiterated Algeria’s commitment to hosting a successful event.

“Algeria has expressed its full readiness to organise IATF2025, especially given our extensive capabilities and resources which will be leveraged fully to ensure the success of this important event,” Boukhari said. “A high-level intersectoral committee has been established to oversee and monitor the preparations. We are confident that IATF2025 will meet the set objectives as it perfectly aligns with Algeria’s economic objectives and we are committed to making the trade fair a resounding success.”  

Speaking ahead of the Advisory Council meeting, executive vice president of Intra-African Trade & Export Development Bank at Afreximbank Kanayo Awani briefed Mohammed Boukhari on outstanding deliverables identified during CANEX WEEKEND, which was held in Algiers in 2024 as a dry run for IATF2025.

“Overall, we are happy with the progress made towards hosting IATF2025, the biggest trade and investment platform on the continent,” Awani said. “I want to laud the Government of Algeria for agreeing to take necessary measures to ensure that IATF2025 is a resounding success. IATF2025 is pivotal to advancing intra-African trade. Therefore, I want to encourage local businesses, especially SMEs, to take advantage of the fair to showcase their products and services to buyers and visitors attending the fair, in order to expand their markets.”

IATF Advisory Council deputy chairman and Afreximbank former president Jean Louis-Ekra said: “We have had a fruitful meeting of the Advisory Council. We are satisfied with the commitment and progress made so far towards preparing for IATF2025 as September beckons. We encourage countries, corporates, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), buyers, visitors, and delegates to take this early opportunity to register for the trade fair.”

More than 2 000 exhibitors, including businesses from across the continent and overseas, are expected to showcase their goods and services to thousands of visitors and buyers during the fair. The event is anticipated to generate trade and investment deals worth over US$44 billion, reinforcing its status as Africa’s leading marketplace.

Meanwhile, registration for CANEX at IATF 2025 is underway and interested creatives should register here.