The Government of Algeria is accelerating efforts to deepen intra-African trade as it prepares to host the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025), the continent’s largest commercial marketplace, scheduled to take place in Algiers from September 4 to 10, 2025.
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Organized by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in collaboration with the African Union (AU) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the event is projected to attract more than 35,000 participants and 2,000 exhibitors, with trade and investment deals expected to exceed $44 billion
The upcoming fair marks a strategic milestone in Algeria’s economic agenda to position itself as a pan-African trade and investment hub. The country has been actively increasing its share of intra-African trade, which rose from 1.9% in 2022 to 2.2% by the end of 2024, according to data from Algeria’s Ministry of Trade and Export Promotion. However, Algeria’s exports remain largely concentrated in hydrocarbons, which made up over 91% of total outbound trade in 2023. Top African destinations included Tunisia, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Senegal.
In support of this shift toward greater economic integration, Algeria has ramped up investment in infrastructure corridors designed to facilitate cross-border movement of goods and services. Key among these is the Trans-Sahara Highway, which connects Algiers to Lagos and is nearing full operational capacity. Additional projects include the Nigeria–Algeria gas pipeline and the Tindouf–Zouérat road linking Algeria to Mauritania, intended to enhance both energy trade and regional logistics.
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As part of its bilateral strategy, Algeria has also launched a new border post and free-trade zone with Mauritania, while advancing similar agreements with Mali, Niger, Tunisia, and Libya. These efforts are aligned with Algeria’s active participation in the AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative, which seeks to ease non-tariff barriers and promote preferential intra-African commerce.
In a speech delivered at a pre-event policy forum in Algiers on July 18, 2025, Minister of Trade Tayeb Zitouni stated, “IATF 2025 is more than an exhibition, it is a strategic catalyst for Algeria’s role in Africa’s economic transformation.” He added that the country’s aim is to leverage its geographic position at the crossroads of North Africa, West Africa, the Sahel, and Southern Europe to expand its influence across regional trade networks.
On the domestic front, Algeria has undertaken a series of regulatory reforms targeting investment approval processes, financial markets, and labor policy. These initiatives aim to boost the competitiveness of non-hydrocarbon sectors such as ICT, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, cement production, and automotive manufacturing. According to government statistics, non-hydrocarbon export earnings surpassed $7 billion in 2022, with an additional $5.3 billion recorded in the first half of 2023.
Analysts view Algeria’s trade reforms and infrastructure commitments as key enablers of its ambition to become a continental commerce gateway. With the IATF 2025 expected to draw attention from both African and global investors, Algeria is poised to consolidate its reputation as a critical player in Africa’s integration agenda.
