Wale Edun Meets African Leaders at IATF 2025, Reaffirms Nigeria’s Commitment to AfCFTA

Nigeria has once again underlined its dedication to continental economic integration as the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, met with African leaders at the ongoing Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2025 in Algiers.

The fair, which opened on September 4 and runs through September 10, is themed “Building Bridges for a Successful AfCFTA.” It has drawn more than 1,600 exhibitors, 35,000 participants, and delegations from 75 countries, making it the continent’s largest platform for advancing trade and investment.

Organisers project that the forum could generate deals worth over $44 billion.

During his engagements, Edun reassured African partners of Nigeria’s unwavering support for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), stressing that the country is committed to harnessing the pact for shared prosperity.

He noted that Nigeria sees AfCFTA not only as a framework for boosting trade but also as a tool for industrialization, job creation, and sustainable growth.

The Algiers gathering is jointly organized by Afreximbank, the African Union Commission, and the AfCFTA Secretariat, with strong backing from the host country, Algeria. It provides a central platform to deepen intra-African trade across diverse sectors including manufacturing, technology, creative industries, and youth-led enterprises.

In his remarks, AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene called on African nations to remain united and accelerate the implementation of the free trade area despite global economic challenges.

He emphasized that with Africa’s population of 1.4 billion, the AfCFTA could become a transformative market if countries commit fully.

Nigeria’s renewed pledge comes on the heels of its $40 billion intra-African trade financing commitment, announced earlier in July, aimed at bridging the continent’s financing gap and driving business growth.

As the IATF continues, attention remains on how Nigeria and other leading economies will translate their commitments into tangible outcomes that strengthen the AfCFTA and improve the lives of millions across Africa.