African leaders, including presidents, heads of state, and senior government officials, have renewed calls for stronger continental integration to unlock Africa’s economic potential and deliver shared prosperity.
Speaking at the fourth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) in Algiers, Algeria, they stressed the urgent need to close infrastructure gaps, strengthen trade links, and reposition Africa competitively in the global market.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria lamented Africa’s persistent development challenges, urging leaders to act decisively to reclaim the continent’s rightful place on the world stage.
Afreximbank President, Prof. Benedict Oramah, highlighted that Africa seeks true partnerships rather than aid, emphasizing collaborations based on mutual respect, trust, and long-term prosperity.
AfCFTA Secretary-General, Wamkele Mene, disclosed that the last edition of the IATF generated over $43 billion in trade and investment deals, expressing optimism that this year’s fair would surpass that milestone.
Other leaders, including Tunisia’s President Kais Saied, Mozambique’s President Daniel Francisco Chapo, and Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo, echoed calls for peace, unity, and responsibility, warning against moral, social, and humanitarian crises that undermine Africa’s dignity and progress.Obasanjo announced Lagos, Nigeria, as the host city for the next IATF in 2027, describing the fair as a powerful driver of integration and economic transformation across the continent.