Liberia is expected to gain significant economic and trade opportunities from Nigeria’s hosting of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025), which will later take place in Lagos. The proximity of the fair to Liberia provides a unique chance for the country to deepen regional ties, improve market access, and expand trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Although Liberia is not a direct participant at IATF2025 in Algeria, the fair’s arrival in Nigeria — the region’s commercial powerhouse — is anticipated to generate ripple effects across West Africa. It will open new pathways for Liberian businesses to engage with the vast Nigerian market and other African economies through strengthened trade links, reduced tariffs, and expanded cross-border collaboration.
On the edge of the opening ceremony of IATF2025 currently underway in Algeria, Nigeria was officially named the host country for the 2027 prestigious event. The announcement was made directly to former Nigerian President Chief OlusegunObasanjo, who also serves as the IATF Advisory Council Chair, reinforcing Nigeria’s pivotal role in Africa’s trade and economic integration.
Bringing IATF2027 to Lagos marks a major milestone for West Africa and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region. As Africa’s largest economy and home to the continent’s biggest oil refinery owned by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, Nigeria is uniquely positioned to accelerate intra-African trade and investment opportunities under AfCFTA.
Liberia’s government has shown strong commitment to AfCFTA, implementing reforms to facilitate trade, improve customs procedures, and encourage private sector participation. The Lagos-hosted IATF2027 will further amplify these efforts by providing easier access to a wider network of investors, buyers, and partners based in Nigeria and beyond.
“This announcement is exciting news for Liberia and other ECOWAS countries,” said a regional trade expert. “Having IATF in Nigeria creates a natural hub for West African businesses to expand, innovate, and benefit from the continental trade agenda.”
Nigeria’s role as host country reflects its growing leadership in shaping Africa’s economic future. Beyond its vast market size, Nigeria is home to the headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States and boasts an industrial base poised to drive value addition and economic diversification.
The IATF2025, organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the African Union Commission, and the AfCFTA Secretariat, has already attracted over 35,000 delegates and 2,000 exhibitors from 140 countries in Algeria, with trade deals projected to exceed US $44 billion.
Ms. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice-President of Intra-African Trade & Export Development at Afreximbank, stated, “This event is more than a trade fair—it is a transformative movement for Africa’s economic integration. Hosting the fair in Nigeria will unlock immense opportunities for West African countries, including Liberia, to grow their economies and integrate further into the continental market.”
Liberia has been an active supporter of AfCFTA, viewing it as a crucial platform to boost its economic diversification and regional trade. The country has undertaken reforms aimed at simplifying customs and border procedures to reduce delays and costs, aligning trade policies with AfCFTA protocols to facilitate smoother cross-border commerce, encouraging private sector engagement and entrepreneurship in key sectors such as agriculture, mining, and manufacturing, and promoting regional cooperation with neighbouring ECOWAS countries to build integrated value chains.
Despite challenges such as infrastructure gaps and limited industrial capacity, Liberia’s strategic embrace of AfCFTApositions it to benefit from expanded access to larger African markets, attracting investment and boosting exports. The Lagos-hosted IATF2027 is expected to offer Liberian businesses greater opportunities for partnership, knowledge exchange, and market penetration.
Got it. I’ll rewrite the article so that every detail is presented in full sentences and paragraphs, with no bullet points or lists:
