
<p>This content was supplied by the IATF</p>



<p>A city that’s synonymous with innovation and creativity, Kigali, Rwanda plays host to this year’s Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) – the only pan-African B2B cross-sector trade fair. Focusing on the newly launched African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the week-long event promotes trade and investment across 55 countries. Major African traders, political stakeholders, buyers, investors, entrepreneurs and product manufacturers will join forces from 1 to 7 September 2020 to drive growth through unrivalled business opportunities.</p>



<iframe loading="lazy" width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gVJvJcf88sc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"></iframe>



<p><strong> Location, location</strong></p>



<p>Situated in the heart of Rwanda, Kigali is buzzing with possibility and African charm. Home to countless creative startups and tech hubs and supported by a promising investment climate, the dynamic and progressive capital is the perfect setting for the key event boosting trade in Africa – the IATF 2020.</p>



<p>Innovation aside, ‘the land of a thousand hills’ also boasts picturesque views with rolling green hills and valleys. Stretching into Rwanda’s countryside, Kigali offers visitors plenty of outdoor escapes with over 430 000 hectares of forests and four national parks. Those seeking adventure can climb Mount Kigali — the highest of Kigali’s hills — to experience panoramic views of the city.</p>



<p>And for those who enjoy immersing themselves in the culture of a brand-new city, Kigali celebrates creativity and passion through thriving art, trade, coffee and restaurant scenes. Visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to interesting art galleries, including the humble Niyo Art Gallery – a Rwandan home that has been transformed into a colourful museum for local works. A percentage of profits go to the Niyo Cultural Centre, which shelters and educates street children. For local goods and tasty food, the Kigali Culture Village provides a dedicated space for local artisans and food vendors. From charming fair-trade coffee shops to creative fusion restaurants, visitors can also treat their taste buds to real Rwandan java and delightful dishes.</p>



<p>Rapid development in the city has seen the creation of several new shopping malls, collaborative office buildings and entrepreneurship hubs like Norrsken Kigali – started by Sweden’s Norrsken Foundation to drive technology developments across the region. An acclaimed convention centre has also been constructed – IATF 2020 will host over 5 000 participants, 10 000 visitors and buyers, and 1 100 exhibitors at the state-of-the-art Intare Convention Arena. </p>



<p><strong>Travel options</strong></p>



<p>Kigali International Airport (KGL) is in Kanombe, a few kilometres outside of the city centre. Well connected to other major airports in Africa and cities across the world, including Amsterdam, Brussels, Dubai, Istanbul, London and Tel Aviv, IATF attendees can fly into Rwanda with ease. National carrier RwandAir is recognised as one of the safest and fastest-growing airlines on the African continent.</p>



<p>Road travel into Rwanda is another viable option, especially for those wanting to take in the natural beauty of the country. Sharing land borders with Burundi, the DRC, Tanzania and Uganda, attendees can opt for independent taxis or privately-run buses spanning the entire country.</p>



<p>Interested in learning more or registering for the event? Explore the IATF experience at <a href="https://www.intrafricantradefair.com/en">www.intrafricantradefair.com/en</a>. </p>


3648_IATF_Native-article-Banner

Visit vibrant Kigali for the inspiring IATF 2020

<div style="max-width: 700px;">
  <video-js
    data-account="1571595826001"
    data-player="default"
    data-video-id="6138276100001"
    data-embed="default"
    controls=""
    data-application-id=""
    class="vjs-fluid"></video-js>
</div>
<p><script src="//players.brightcove.net/1571595826001/default_default/index.min.js">
</script><br />
This month will see the 6th annual edition of the Mashariki African Film Festival here in Kigali under the theme, &#8220;Kagire Inkuru&#8221; which means, “Tell the Tale”. The event will be a week-long affair featuring filmmakers from across the continent and will host screenings, panels and workshops including one entitled, &#8220;Girls In Cinema&#8221;. CNBC Africa is joined by Kennedy Mazimpaka Communications Manager of Mashariki African Film Festival for more about what the event&#8217;s relationship is to Rwanda&#8217;s developing film industry.</p>


How Rwanda is looking to leverage its developing film industry through storytelling

<div style="max-width: 700px;">
  <video-js
    data-account="1571595826001"
    data-player="default"
    data-video-id="6135351693001"
    data-embed="default"
    controls=""
    data-application-id=""
    class="vjs-fluid"></video-js>
</div>
<p><script src="//players.brightcove.net/1571595826001/default_default/index.min.js">
</script><br />
Recently it was announced that youth basketball program, Giants of Africa will be hosting its first week-long festival this August right here in Kigali, Rwanda. CNBC Africa&#8217;s Makeda Mahadeo reports.</p>


Kigali to host first Giants of Africa basketball festival

<div style="max-width: 700px;">
  <video-js
    data-account="1571595826001"
    data-player="default"
    data-video-id="6134619926001"
    data-embed="default"
    controls=""
    data-application-id=""
    class="vjs-fluid"></video-js>
</div>
<p><script src="//players.brightcove.net/1571595826001/default_default/index.min.js">
</script><br />
In a bid to normalize ties between Rwanda and Uganda, through the fourth Quadripartite Heads of State Summit both President Paul Kagame and Yoweri Museveni met at Gatuna border. They were joined by Angolan President João Lourenço and his Congolese counterpart Félix Tshisekedi. The agenda of the meeting includes review and discussion of feedback from Uganda following a Note Verbale from Kigali dispatched on February 15. Joining CNBC Africa to speak on economic integration between countries in the region is Journalist Gonzaga Mugwana.</p>


Heads of state meet to discuss economic integration of Rwanda

Heads of state meet to discuss economic integration of Rwanda, Uganda and Congo


<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

<div style="max-width: 700px;">
  <video-js
    data-account="1571595826001"
    data-player="default"
    data-video-id="6129715800001"
    data-embed="default"
    controls=""
    data-application-id=""
    class="vjs-fluid"></video-js>
</div>
<p><script
  src="//players.brightcove.net/1571595826001/default_default/index.min.js">
</script><br />
As Chinese markets opened on Monday, the impact of the Coronavirus was felt immediately as trading had to be suspended on multiple stocks as they hit the daily 10 per cent downhill limit but China isn&#8217;t the only country to be affected by the virus, economies in the region are set to face trading pressures in the coming weeks, CNBC Africa&#8217;s Arnold Kwizera talked to commentator Frederick Goloba Mutebi on the potential trade effects of the outbreak.</p>


The economic impact of China’s coronavirus on East Africa

<div style="max-width: 700px;">
  <video-js
    data-account="1571595826001"
    data-player="default"
    data-video-id="6129500922001"
    data-embed="default"
    controls=""
    data-application-id=""
    class="vjs-fluid"></video-js>
</div>
<p><script
  src="//players.brightcove.net/1571595826001/default_default/index.min.js">
</script><br />
On the occasion of World Cancer Day, the next guest attended the launch of a new Radiotherapy Centre and hosted a health fair at her dedicated Breast Cancer Recovery House in Kigali dubbed, the Pink House. Here to discuss the importance of such facilities and the true cost of Breast Cancer recovery in East Africa is advocate and Founder of Breast Cancer Initiative East Africa (BCIEA), Philippa Kibugu-Decuir joins CNBC Africa for more</p>


New Radiotherapy Centre a major boost for cancer treatment in Rwanda

<div style="max-width: 700px;">
  <video-js
    data-account="1571595826001"
    data-player="default"
    data-video-id="6129456675001"
    data-embed="default"
    controls=""
    data-application-id=""
    class="vjs-fluid"></video-js>
</div>
<p><script
  src="//players.brightcove.net/1571595826001/default_default/index.min.js">
</script><br />
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) hosted the 7th edition of the Business Excellence Awards in Kigali and CNBC Africa attended the event and filed this report.</p>


Rwanda honours top performing companies at the Business Excellence Awards ceremony

<div style="max-width: 700px;">
  <video-js
    data-account="1571595826001"
    data-player="default"
    data-video-id="6128307654001"
    data-embed="default"
    controls=""
    data-application-id=""
    class="vjs-fluid"></video-js>
</div>
<p><script
  src="//players.brightcove.net/1571595826001/default_default/index.min.js">
</script><br />
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) will host the 7th edition of the Business Excellence Awards in Kigali. The event was designed to recognise outstanding businesses, encourage competitiveness and promote a profitable private sector in the country – but is it necessary? Guy Baron, Chief Investment Officer at the RDB joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


RDB to host the 7th Business Excellence Awards

<div style="max-width: 700px;"><video-js data-account="1571595826001" data-player="default" data-embed="default" controls="" data-video-id="6125918875001" data-playlist-id="" data-application-id="" class="vjs-fluid"></video-js></div>
<p><script src="https://players.brightcove.net/1571595826001/default_default/index.min.js"></script></p>
<p>In 2018, authorities at the City of Kigali embarked on a review of the city master plan to make it more affordable and inclusive. Engineer and Director of Urban Planning, Fred Mugisha joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


Kigali City plans to make city more affordable

Kigali City plans to make city more affordable, inclusive

<div style="max-width: 700px;"><video-js data-account="1571595826001" data-player="default" data-embed="default" controls="" data-video-id="6125256722001" data-playlist-id="" data-application-id="" class="vjs-fluid"></video-js></div>
<p><script src="https://players.brightcove.net/1571595826001/default_default/index.min.js"></script></p>
<p>New findings indicate that occupancy rate in Kigali city’s commercial buildings stands at 85 per cent. However, there are still bottlenecks without which commercial real estate would be more viable. Dickson Malunda, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Analysis and Research (IPAR) joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


IPAR: Here’s how Kigali can improve its commercial real estate sector performance

<div style="max-width: 700px;"><video-js data-account="1571595826001" data-player="default" data-embed="default" controls="" data-video-id="6122117757001" data-playlist-id="" data-application-id="" class="vjs-fluid"></video-js></div>
<p><script src="https://players.brightcove.net/1571595826001/default_default/index.min.js"></script></p>
<p>Last month it was announced that Jumia was suspending their food delivery services here in Rwanda, the news came amidst reports that the Pan-African e-commerce company had already shut down operations in several other African countries, including Cameroon and Tanzania, but to customers here in Kigali, the news was still quite surprising. The service had become a mainstay in many city dwellers&#8217; lunch and dinner plans and the outcry was heard on Twitter. Enter, Vuba Vuba – a new company by former Jumia Rwanda Managing Director, Albert Munyabugingo, plans to pick up where Jumia Food left off. He joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


Exit Jumia Food

Exit Jumia Food, enter Vuba Vuba – MD Albert Munyabugingo on how new food delivery service plans to cater to Rwandan market

<div style="max-width: 700px;"><video-js data-account="1571595826001" data-player="default" data-embed="default" controls="" data-video-id="6120667934001" data-playlist-id="" data-application-id="" class="vjs-fluid"></video-js></div>
<p><script src="https://players.brightcove.net/1571595826001/default_default/index.min.js"></script></p>
<p>One of the continent&#8217;s biggest collections of creatives will be taking place in Kigali this month. CAX is expected to have some of Hollywood’s A-listers as they seek to inspire Africa&#8217;s creatives. Dolapo Adedapo, Head of Global Engagement at Creative Africa Exchange joins CNBC Arica for more.</p>


CAX to invite the likes of Steve Harvey

CAX to invite the likes of Steve Harvey, Idris Elba to leverage opportunity in Kigali’s creative industry

<div style="max-width: 700px;"><video-js data-account="1571595826001" data-player="default" data-embed="default" controls="" data-video-id="6117304700001" data-playlist-id="" data-application-id="" class="vjs-fluid"></video-js></div>
<p><script src="https://players.brightcove.net/1571595826001/default_default/index.min.js"></script></p>
<p>The Basketball Africa League (FIBA) announced cities in Egypt, Senegal, Nigeria, Angola, Morocco and Tunisia as the host and the host city for the first-ever BAL Final Four and BAL Final will be Kigali. Additionally, Nike and Jordan Brand will be the exclusive outfitter of the new professional league featuring 12 club teams from across Africa and scheduled to begin play in March 2020. Amadou Gallo Fall, Basketball Africa League President, joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall on how sport is driving economics on the continent

<div style="max-width: 700px;"><video-js data-account="1571595826001" data-player="default" data-embed="default" controls="" data-video-id="6115238909001" data-playlist-id="" data-application-id="" class="vjs-fluid"></video-js></div>
<p><script src="https://players.brightcove.net/1571595826001/default_default/index.min.js"></script></p>
<p>News arrived this week that Pan-African e-commerce company, Jumia – best known here in Kigali for its restaurant delivery service, is suspending operations in Rwanda. This comes after the company already shut down in Cameroon and Tanzania. Back in April the company, which many compared to Amazon, showed immense promise with a very high valuation and a New York listing, now with the new setbacks, what does this mean for them and the generation of African start-ups behind them that were looking to follow in their footsteps? Kenneth Agutamba, Analyst and Chief Strategist at Impact Communication Strategies joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


How does Jumia’s setbacks impact other African start-ups?

<div style="max-width: 700px;"><video-js data-account="1571595826001" data-player="default" data-embed="default" controls="" data-video-id="6114819544001" data-playlist-id="" data-application-id="" class="vjs-fluid"></video-js></div>
<p><script src="https://players.brightcove.net/1571595826001/default_default/index.min.js"></script></p>
<p>This week saw the inaugural Kusi Ideas Fest here in Kigali – Rwanda and CNBC Africa&#8217;s Steven Muvunyi caught up with blogger, social media enthusiast and CEO of SouthBridge, Jeanine Munyeshuli Barbe on the significance of citizen journalism, it&#8217;s relationship to traditional media and it&#8217;s place in Africa&#8217;s future.</p>


Kusi Ideas Festival: SouthBridge CEO Barbe on future of journalism in Africa

<div style="max-width: 700px;"><video-js data-account="1571595826001" data-player="default" data-embed="default" controls="" data-video-id="6114527167001" data-playlist-id="" data-application-id="" class="vjs-fluid"></video-js></div>
<p><script src="https://players.brightcove.net/1571595826001/default_default/index.min.js"></script></p>
<p>The 4th Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani Anti-Corruption Award was held in Kigali yesterday that saw seven recipients of this distinguished prize. CNBC Africa&#8217;s Arnold Kwizera spoke with Rwanda&#8217;s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Johnston Busingye for more.</p>


Kigali

Visit vibrant Kigali for the inspiring IATF 2020

How Rwanda is looking to leverage its developing film industry through storytelling

Kigali to host first Giants of Africa basketball festival

Heads of state meet to discuss economic integration of Rwanda, Uganda and Congo

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

The economic impact of China’s coronavirus on East Africa

New Radiotherapy Centre a major boost for cancer treatment in Rwanda

Rwanda honours top performing companies at the Business Excellence Awards ceremony

RDB to host the 7th Business Excellence Awards

Kigali City plans to make city more affordable, inclusive

IPAR: Here’s how Kigali can improve its commercial real estate sector performance

Exit Jumia Food, enter Vuba Vuba – MD Albert Munyabugingo on how new food delivery service plans to cater to Rwandan market

CAX to invite the likes of Steve Harvey, Idris Elba to leverage opportunity in Kigali’s creative industry

BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall on how sport is driving economics on the continent

How does Jumia’s setbacks impact other African start-ups?

Kusi Ideas Festival: SouthBridge CEO Barbe on future of journalism in Africa

Johnston Busingye on Rwanda’s fight against corruption

News Tips

Advertise With Us

Kigali

Visit vibrant Kigali for the inspiring IATF 2020

How Rwanda is looking to leverage its developing film industry through storytelling

Kigali to host first Giants of Africa basketball festival

Heads of state meet to discuss economic integration of Rwanda, Uganda and Congo

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

The economic impact of China’s coronavirus on East Africa

New Radiotherapy Centre a major boost for cancer treatment in Rwanda

Rwanda honours top performing companies at the Business Excellence Awards ceremony

RDB to host the 7th Business Excellence Awards

Kigali City plans to make city more affordable, inclusive

IPAR: Here’s how Kigali can improve its commercial real estate sector performance

Exit Jumia Food, enter Vuba Vuba – MD Albert Munyabugingo on how new food delivery service plans to cater to Rwandan market

CAX to invite the likes of Steve Harvey, Idris Elba to leverage opportunity in Kigali’s creative industry

BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall on how sport is driving economics on the continent

How does Jumia’s setbacks impact other African start-ups?

Kusi Ideas Festival: SouthBridge CEO Barbe on future of journalism in Africa

Johnston Busingye on Rwanda’s fight against corruption

News Tips

Advertise With Us

Newsletters