IATF 2025 in Algeria: A Landmark Affirmation of Pan-African Commitment and Economic Sovereignty

IATF 2025 in Algeria: A Landmark Affirmation of Pan-African Commitment and Economic Sovereignty

✍️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria |  When Algeria opens its doors to the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025) this September, it will not merely be hosting a continental economic event. It will be making a resounding political and strategic statement: Africa belongs to Africans, and Algeria intends to remain at the forefront of that struggle for unity, sovereignty, and integration.

Algeria’s Historic Role Reaffirmed

Patrick Ndzana Olomo, Director of Economic Development at the African Union Commission, was emphatic: the IATF is more than a marketplace; it is a strategic and symbolic milestone. By bringing the fourth edition of the fair to Algiers, Algeria renews a tradition that stretches back to its support for African liberation movements and its unwavering defense of the continent’s sovereignty.

The event is thus a continuation of Algeria’s historic role as a cradle of liberation and a vanguard of Pan-African solidarity, reaffirming that the struggle for economic emancipation is the natural extension of the anti-colonial battles of the 20th century.

A Showcase of Algerian Potential

Far from being limited to symbolism, the fair represents a unique opportunity for Algeria to project its economic capabilities on a continental stage. From energy and agriculture to pharmaceuticals and industrial know-how, Algeria seeks to demonstrate that it is not just a consumer market but a production hub and export powerhouse.

With flagship infrastructure such as the Trans-Saharan Highway and the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP), Algeria is positioning itself as a logistical and energy backbone for Africa, indispensable to continental trade flows.

Tebboune’s Personal Commitment

Crucially, this is not a technocratic endeavor—it bears the imprint of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s direct involvement. His commitment to ensuring the success of the IATF underscores the fact that Algeria views the fair not as a ceremonial occasion, but as a strategic lever for reshaping Africa’s economic architecture.

The country’s recent accession to the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) further demonstrates Algeria’s readiness to liberate intra-African trade from the dominance of foreign currencies, a revolutionary step toward economic sovereignty.

A Continental Event with Global Implications

The scope of IATF 2025 is immense:

• 2,000 exhibitors from across the continent.

• 35,000 professional visitors.

• A target of over $44 billion in trade and investment deals.

This makes it the largest trade and investment platform in Africa, directly advancing the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The fair will also highlight the creative industries and youth entrepreneurship under the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) initiative, underlining the importance of innovation and cultural power in economic transformation.

By hosting the IATF, Algeria consolidates its position as a central hub for African trade, finance, and investment. It is a role fully consistent with its geopolitical weight, its energy potential, and its unwavering defense of African sovereignty in global forums.