The 2nd edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair, one of the largest trade shows that provides a platform for sharing trade, investment and market information and enabling buyers and sellers, investors and countries to meet, discuss and conclude business deals, opens from November 15 to 21 in Durban, South Africa.
Organized by the African Union, African Export-Import Bank and the Government of the Republic of South Africa, the fair offers an opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their goods and services, engage in Business to Business (B2B) exchanges and conclude business deals.
It further provides a unique and valuable platform for businesses to access an integrated African market of over 1.2 billion people with a GDP of over US$2.5 trillion created under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
It provides different conferences on various themes relating to trade. This conference featuring leading African and international speakers and a variety of sessions dealing with African trade and investment. Specifically, the conference features dedicated sessions on trade and investment opportunities under the AfCFTA and that includes training workshops covering exporting, standards, and marketing.
Business-to-Business and Business-to-Government. It is expected that this provides significant opportunities for matchmaking, business exchanges and conclusion of business and investment deals.
At the fair, there are specific country days, especially for South, Egypt and Nigeria to exhibit their product brands, among others.
Selected countries to showcase their trade, investment, tourism and cultural opportunities. Virtual Trade Fair (VTF) This enables showcasing of goods, services and investment opportunities on an interactive online platform. The Virtual Trade Fair continues even after the trade fair has concluded.
The IATF provides for what is referred to as Creative Africa. It involves showcasing Africa’s creative economy with a fashion show, music, films, Creative Africa Summit and a dedicated Creative Industry Exhibition.
The IATF Automotive Show. The Automotive Show segment has a dedicated auto exhibition, an automotive workshop and a B2B/B2G for the Automotive Industry. IATF Automotive Show is planned to present a platform for car manufacturers, assemblers, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and component suppliers to exhibit their products and also interact with potential buyers and suppliers. Youth Start-Up
The Youth Start-Up. This segment has a dedicated Pavilion for Youth Start-Ups in Africa where they will showcase their goods and services, and IATF2021 will provide opportunities for matchmaking with venture capitalists, entrepreneurship training, networking amongst the youth and other delegates at the IATF.
IATF 2021 is expected to attract over 10,000 attendees from across Africa.
Speakers at the conference are from some of the highest tiers of business and government in Africa, with unparalleled commercial and government insight into economic opportunities and threats in Africa.
Some of this year’s speakers from the world of politics and government include: H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa; Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; H.E. Ambassador Albert M. Muchanga, African Union Commissioner for Trade and Industry; and Dr. Vera Songwe, Executive Secretary of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
