Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on African leaders to transform the $48.3 billion in trade and investment deals sealed at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2025 into long-term partnerships that drive industrialisation, digital transformation, and cross-border trade.
Speaking at the fair’s closing ceremony in Algiers, Algeria, Obasanjo hailed the event as a catalyst for economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) but warned that its impact would be measured by sustained collaboration, not just headline figures.
“The relationships and networks formed must not end here,” Obasanjo said. “Africa’s future depends on turning shared ideas into collective action that unlocks the continent’s full potential.”
He praised Afreximbank President Prof. Benedict Oramah, the Algerian government, the African Union Commission, and the AfCFTA Secretariat for their roles in shaping a unified vision for Africa’s economic future.
At a post-event briefing, Oramah described the deals as the largest in IATF history, pledging that Afreximbank would track and support implementation to ensure real economic impact ahead of the next edition in Lagos, Nigeria.
The fair also saw Nigeria and Ogun State recognised for Trade Excellence and Sustainability, underscoring the country’s growing influence in Africa’s economic integration efforts.
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