Ghana faces a crucial two-year window to prepare for the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) in 2027, when Nigeria hosts the next edition. With African Continental Free Trade Area ( AfCFTA ) headquartered in Accra and the continent’s largest economy next door, expectations are high for Ghana to mount a strong showing that reflects its claim as the “Gateway to West Africa.”
Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, was announced as host after a competitive bid process, with former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairman of the IATF Advisory Council, making the declaration in Algiers at the opening of IATF 2025.
Analysts say Ghana’s proximity to Nigeria gives it a strategic advantage that should be leveraged to showcase made-in-Ghana goods and services to the 1.4 billion-strong African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) market. But they caution that this will require intensive preparation, coordinated efforts, and clear leadership from institutions including the Ministry of Trade, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Ghana Free zones Authority, and the private sector.
With more than 2,000 exhibitors from 48 countries and thousands of buyers attending, IATF has become Africa’s largest marketplace, facilitating $44 billion in projected deals in its 2025 edition alone. Since its launch in 2018, the fair has generated over $118 billion in trade and investment agreements, attracting more than 70,000 visitors and 4,500 exhibitors.
Countries that previously hosted, Egypt, South Africa, and Algeria, have used the platform to spotlight national industries, expand exports, and strengthen their trade visibility. Observers argue Ghana must do the same, especially with AfCFTA’s Secretariat headquartered in Accra, which raises expectations that the country should lead by example in driving continental trade integration.
The fair is more than just an exhibition. It is Africa’s premier marketplace where deals are struck, networks built, and national brands elevated. It would be a shame if Ghana fails to put up a strong showing.
For Ghana, the stakes are particularly high. Nigeria’s hosting of IATF 2027 is not just a national opportunity but a regional one for West Africa. Whether Ghana capitalises on it will depend on how quickly it aligns its institutions, entrepreneurs, and businesses to present a compelling case to the continent and beyond.
