The African Development Bank Group is using the continent’s largest trade and investment platform to highlight the critical role of industrialization and regional integration in driving Africa’s economic transformation.
The fourth Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025), which opened yesterday in Algiers, has drawn more than 30,000 participants from 75 countries. Organizers expect the fair to generate over $44 billion in trade and investment deals, with the Bank Group — a key sponsor — potentially participating in several of them. The institution is also emphasizing its strong support for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“The African Development Bank is proud to stand at the forefront of Africa’s economic transformation,” said Ousmane Fall, the Bank’s Director for Industrial and Trade Development, who is leading a ten-member delegation to the event.
The Bank is showcasing major initiatives such as the Africa Investment Forum, which will host its Market Days in Rabat this November. Delegates are also spotlighting programs designed to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), strengthen value chains, and boost cross-border trade. Key initiatives include the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, which attract private investment and generate jobs in agriculture-related industries, as well as regional value chain projects in textiles, pharmaceuticals, automotive production, and mineral beneficiation.
“By investing in industries, infrastructure, and trade facilitation, we are enabling African economies to create jobs, add value locally, and compete globally. IATF2025 is the marketplace where Africa’s vision of ‘Made in Africa’ becomes a global brand,” Fall said.
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