
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1110" height="349" src="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/3526_IATF_Februray_CNBC-Africa-Website-Banner_Version1-1110x349.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-360311" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/3526_IATF_Februray_CNBC-Africa-Website-Banner_Version1-1110x349.jpg 1110w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/3526_IATF_Februray_CNBC-Africa-Website-Banner_Version1-300x94.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/3526_IATF_Februray_CNBC-Africa-Website-Banner_Version1-820x258.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/3526_IATF_Februray_CNBC-Africa-Website-Banner_Version1-768x241.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/3526_IATF_Februray_CNBC-Africa-Website-Banner_Version1-1536x483.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/3526_IATF_Februray_CNBC-Africa-Website-Banner_Version1-696x219.jpg 696w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/3526_IATF_Februray_CNBC-Africa-Website-Banner_Version1-1068x335.jpg 1068w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/3526_IATF_Februray_CNBC-Africa-Website-Banner_Version1-1337x420.jpg 1337w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/3526_IATF_Februray_CNBC-Africa-Website-Banner_Version1.jpg 1910w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1110px) 100vw, 1110px" /></figure>



<p>With seven days of live performances, expert speakers, special cultural highlights and an unprecedented list of exhibitors this year, you will want to delve into everything IATF2020 has to offer. </p>



<p>The biggest trade fair event in Africa, IATF brings together more professionals under one roof than any other event of its kind on the continent. This year, the theme is “Building Bridges for a Successful AfCFTA” focusing on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a market for goods and services across 55 countries, and paving the way for Africa to better achieve its economic and social goals.</p>



<p>Taking
place in Kigali, Rwanda, on 1 to 7 September, over one billion people will
showcase and exhibit their goods and services, while exploring business and
investment opportunities in Africa.</p>



<iframe loading="lazy" width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pWYuaA7LuAE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>



<p>With stakeholders
that include investors, SMEs, and the informal sector, IATF2020 has become the
ideal platform to address the challenges affecting intra-African trade and
provide practical and effective solutions to overcome these challenges.</p>



<p>The
inaugural IATF2018, which took place in Cairo, Egypt, was an enormous success,
garnering US$32 billion in trade and investment deals with more than 1 000
exhibitors and 2 500 conference delegates from over 45 countries.</p>



<p>This
year, IATF2020 will surpass the success of previous years by providing a
platform for businesses to access an integrated market of over 1.2 billion
people with a GDP of over US$2.5 trillion created under the African Continental
Free Trade Area.</p>



<p>IATF2020
does not only serve as a marketplace where buyers and sellers of goods meet,
but also as a business matchmaker, enabling exchanges from business to business
and business to government and political stakeholders.</p>



<p>Additionally,
the IATF2020 Conference will feature leading African and international speakers
who will discuss a variety of topics surrounding African trade and investment
opportunities. There will also be training workshops covering exporting,
standards and marketing.</p>



<p>This
year, visitors and exhibitors will also get to enjoy work from the greatest
creative minds on the continent during the Creative Africa Exchange. The
initiative showcases Africa’s creative economy through music, film, fashion,
and a creative Africa summit.</p>



<p>IATF2020
will host art and craft exhibitions with magnificent pieces that have never
been displayed together before. Visitors will be able to engage with the
artists and craftspeople, and find out how art is leading the way in the
cultural industries.</p>



<p>Traders
who are unable to make it to Rwanda for IATF2020 can still log onto the
IATF2020&nbsp;<a href="https://www.intrafricantradefair.com/en/virtual-trade-fair" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virtual Trade Fair&nbsp;</a>and
showcase goods, services and investment opportunities on the interactive online
platform. The Virtual Trade Fair connects exhibitors and visitors from all
sectors, and provides a platform for delegates and non-attendees to connect in
real-time during the event and for the rest of the year after the Trade Fair
has concluded.&nbsp;</p>



<p>With
exhibitors from all over Africa and beyond, businesses across the public and
private sectors, and SMEs to multinational corporations, IATF2020 simply cannot
be matched anywhere else.</p>



<p>Make
valuable business connections and accelerate your reach into African markets at
IATF2020. </p>



<p>To
register and get more information, visit the IATF website at <a href="https://www.intrafricantradefair.com/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">intrafricantradefair.com/en</a></p>


3526_IATF_Februray_CNBC Africa Website Banner_Version1

IATF is the biggest trade fair event in Africa, here’s what it has to offer

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As slated kick-off date for the AfCFTA draws closer, Nigeria’s Trade, Industry and Investment Minister, Niyi Adebayo says the country’s National Action Committee will not recommend ratification unless they are certain the trade policy will not hurt local industries. In an exclusive interview with CNBC Africa’s Christy Cole, the Minister also spoke about Nigeria’s industrial policy, and the upcoming UK-Nigeria Forum.</p>


‘Nigeria won’t ratify AfCFTA unless local industries are safe’ – Trade Minister Niyi Adebayo

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The Interim Director of One Africa, Edwin Ikhuoria, says to silence the guns of conflict in Africa, the continent’s leaders must first deal with the root cause which is unemployment. Ikhuoria argues that if youths are employed, they will not be available to be radicalised. He discussed this and more with CNBC Africa’s Godfrey Mutizwa on the side-lines of the concluded 33rd African Union Summit.</p>


AU Summit 2020: “This is the year of dealing with root causes of conflicts in Africa” – One Africa’s Edwin Ikhuoria

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The Commissioner for Trade and Industry at the African Union, Albert Muchanga, says the union is ready for the commencement of trade under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement on the first of July this year. While speaking to CNBC Africa’s Godfrey Mutizwa, Muchanga added that the union is almost done with its work on the rules of origin. They discussed this and more on the sidelines of the 33rd African Union Summit.</p>


AU Summit 2020: AFCFTA: How prepared is Africa for July 1st?

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The Community for Eastern and Southern African States (COMESA) sees the creation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area as further enhancement of its work and a bigger opportunity for business from the region rather than as a threat. CNBC Africa caught up with the COMESA Secretary General, Chileshe Kapwepwe on the side-lines of the AU summit.</p>


AU Summit 2020: Chileshe Kapwepwe brekas down COMESA’s 3 pillars of development

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Silencing the guns is a slogan at this year’s AU summit as part of this the continental body held discussions on the role of women in this initiative. CNBC Africa spoke to UNECA&#8217;s Executive Director, Vera Songwe for more.</p>


AU Summit 2020: UNECA on the role of women in promoting development & security in Africa

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The African Development Bank (AfDB) has warned that a failure to end conflicts on the continent will undermine plans to accelerate economic integration on the continent. AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina spoke to CNBC Africa on the side-lines of the on-going African Union Summit.</p>


AU Summit 2020: Africa’s youth are our greatest asset & we have to invest in them – Adesina

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The President of African Export-Import Bank, Benedict Oramah says there is political will and support towards initiatives and tasks set out by the bank across Africa. He spoke to CNBC Africa’s Godfrey Mutizwa on the sidelines of the 33rd African Union Summit to share his thought on political support on the continent.</p>


AU Summit 2020: Afreximbank President Oramah: Political will remains key to African free trade

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The 37th African Union Development Agency &#8211; NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC) Session took place over the weekend and there, Rwandan President Paul Kagame was elected Chairperson of one of its new agencies that will drive the continent towards achieving Agenda 2063 . CNBC Africa spoke to Ibrahim Mayaki, CEO of NEPAD, for more.</p>


AU Summit 2020: 37th HSGOC Session – Kagame tasked with driving Agenda 2063

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South African president Cyril Ramaphosa flew off from Waterkloof air base near Johannesburg to take up the reins of the African Union. He is on the way to Addis Ababa to take up the chair of the AU on behalf of South Africa.  CNBC Africa&#8217;s Kopano Gumbi filed this report.</p>


AU Summit 2020: Ramaphosa on assuming the AU Chairmanship & what it means for SA

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The second day of the African Union is underway and CNBC Africa&#8217;s Godfrey Mutizwa asked South African Minister of International and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, about key issues that have been addressed so far and what agenda South Africa is bringing to the African Union as chair.</p>


AU Summit 2020: Addressing conflicts on the continent key to achieving Agenda 2063 goals – Naledi Pandoor

AU Summit 2020: Addressing conflicts on the continent key to achieving Agenda 2063 goals – Naledi Pandor

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Director of Macroeconomic Forecasting and Research at African Development Bank (AfDB), Hanan Morsy says Africa is the least efficient in spending on education despite the very strong commitment of African governments. CNBC Africa&#8217;s Godfrey Mutizwa caught up with her on the side-lines of the Africa Union Summit for more.</p>


AU Summit 2020: “By enhancing efficiency

AU Summit 2020: “By enhancing efficiency, Africa can reach universal primary education” – AfDB’s Hanan Morsy

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Ahead of the 33rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union Commission Summit in Addis Ababa, CNBC Africa’s Godfrey Mutizwa spoke to Dr. Hippolyte Fofack, Chief Economist and Director, Research and International Cooperation at Afreximbank on why Africa should speak with one voice on trade as a way to consolidate its bargaining power on the global stage.</p>


AU Summit 2020: Afreximbank: Why Africa should speak with one voice on trade

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<p>The Department of Trade and Industry held an Economic Policy Dialogue to debate and advance its policies with a focus on the African Continental Free Trade Area. CNBC Africa’s Karabo Letlhatlha spoke with Dr Faizel Ismail the director of Nelson Mandela School of Governance for more.</p>


Faizel Ismail on the investment case for Africa

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<p>People are talking about the African Continental Free Trade Area, the biggest thing to hit Africa for a century. How is it going to work? What agreements are needed? Mukhisa Kituyi, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


AfCFTA: How is it going to work & what agreements are needed?

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<p>DPO Group, an African payment service provider from Kenya has acquired PayFast which is a payment processor in South Africa. This acquisition is set to change the way in which African’s engage with digital payment processes, especially in the wake of the African Continental Free Trade Area. DPO Group CEO, Eran Feinstein joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


Kenya’s DPO Group to expand African presence with PayFast acquisition

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<p>The world is increasingly becoming fractured. Trade wars have extended beyond the US and China to Japan and South Korea. Boris Johnson, the UK&#8217;s new prime minister, says Brexit will be done and dusted by 31st October. In this climate Africa&#8217;s free trade agreement makes more sense than ever. Rudi Steinbach, Africa Specialist and Senior Economist at the World Bank joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


African Continental Free Trade Area