Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has enthusiastically welcomed the designation of Lagos as Nigeria’s host city for the 2027 Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), viewing it as a significant milestone.
The announcement was detailed in a statement released on Monday by Adewale Akodu, spokesperson for the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment (MCCTI).
According to Akodu, the decision was formally revealed by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, during the current IATF 2025 event.
Organized biennially, the IATF stands as Africa’s flagship platform for trade and investment, designed to foster greater intra-African commerce and expedite the rollout of the AfCFTA agreement.
Responding to the announcement in Algiers on Friday, Gov. Sanwo-Olu said the choice underscores Nigeria’s pivotal role in Africa’s economic integration and Lagos State’s status as a major commercial and financial hub.
“We are very excited about the choice of Lagos for 2027 edition of this important fair. But we are not surprised because it is a reflection of our resilience, our strength and our commitment to the Greater Lagos journey as illustrated by our T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda.
“We are striving towards making Lagos a global financial hub; this will definitely boost our efforts.
“We have just successfully hosted GITEX, the global tech expo and in a few days, we will be hosting the spectacular E1 electric boat race, the first in Africa, which will put us in the company of leading cities, such as Monaco, Jeddah and others.
“We keep making history. It is the Spirit of Lagos at work,” the governor said.
Sanwo-Olu described the nomination as a vivid acknowledgment of the state’s commitment to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which has impacted Nigeria’s economy positively.
“It is a lot of work. I assure all would-be participants that we will have a great outing here in Africa’s most populous city, the continent’s second largest city economy.
“Lagos is, indeed, proud of this honor. On behalf of the government and the great people of Lagos, I thank the organisers for bestowing this honour on us,” he said.
NAN
