Zimbabwe to Host Permanent Intra-African Trade Fair Headquarters in Harare

Harare Secures Intra-African Trade Fair Headquarters

Harare, Zimbabwe, has been officially chosen as the host city for the newly established, permanent headquarters of the Intra-African Trade Fair Company (IATFCO). The significant announcement was made during the 2025 edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) held in Algiers, Algeria. This development marks a pivotal step towards institutionalizing the IATF as an independent and sustainable entity, further bolstering continental economic development and integration.

The decision followed a competitive bidding process that saw Zimbabwe emerge victorious over other nations, including Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Malawi, Zambia, and South Africa. H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former Nigerian President and Chairman of the IATF Advisory Council, cited Zimbabwe's 'robust conferencing facilities, excellent air connectivity, ample accommodation capacity, and land allocated for expansion' as key factors in its selection.

Strategic Vision and Institutionalization

The establishment of the IATFCO headquarters in Harare is a strategic move designed to transition the IATF from a biennial event into a permanent institution. This aims to make the fair more sustainable, scalable, and closely aligned with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The IATF, co-convened by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the African Union Commission (AUC), and the AfCFTA Secretariat, serves as a crucial platform for promoting trade, investment, and industrial growth across Africa.

Professor Benedict Oramah, the outgoing President and Chairman of Afreximbank, emphasized the need to institutionalize the IATF after nearly eight years of support from its founding partners. He stated, 'This opens a new chapter for IATF as it continues powering growth in intra-African trade and playing its role as the most important trade and investment gathering on the continent.' To support this transition, Afreximbank's board has approved an initial capitalization of US$28 million for the new IATF entity.

Economic Impact and Future Outlook for Zimbabwe

Hosting the IATFCO headquarters is anticipated to bring substantial benefits to Zimbabwe. It is expected to:

• Boost Zimbabwe's profile as a regional trade hub.
• Attract further investment and bolster tourism.
• Enhance business activity and regional cooperation.
• Potentially trigger upgrades in infrastructure, including power, roads, and digital systems.

The new headquarters is expected to be housed at the Harare Afreximbank Africa Trade Centre (HAATC), which is currently under construction. This center will feature a hotel, office block, and state-of-the-art conference and exhibition facilities. The IATF has a proven track record of facilitating significant trade and investment deals, with the IATF2025 alone generating US$48.3 billion in agreements and attracting over 112,000 visitors and 2,148 exhibitors from 132 countries. Since its launch in 2018, the fair has facilitated over US$120 billion in trade and investment deals.