The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), in partnership with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), has supported and trained select Nigerian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to boost their participation in the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) through the 2025 Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) held in Algiers, Algeria.
The initiative provided entrepreneurs with a vital platform to access new markets, showcase their products and services, and build cross-border partnerships aimed at enhancing export readiness and competitiveness. It also underscored the shared commitment of LCCI and Afreximbank to advancing intra-African trade, innovation, and sustainable economic growth by placing SMEs at the centre of the continent’s premier trade marketplace.
According to both organisations, the collaboration is strengthening the competitiveness of Nigerian businesses and accelerating AfCFTA’s objectives by unlocking opportunities for economic diversification, job creation, and value-chain expansion across Africa. “LCCI and Afreximbank are proud to champion this milestone, which reaffirms our dedication to empowering SMEs as the backbone of Africa’s economic future and ensuring that Nigeria’s private sector plays a leading role in shaping the continent’s trade and investment landscape,” they said.
Director of AU/AfCFTA and International Relations at Afreximbank, Yusuf Daya, explained that the partnership reflects the bank’s commitment to promoting intra-African trade, fostering export diversification, and driving private-sector-led growth. “The Intra-African Trade Fair is a catalyst for economic transformation, providing African businesses with opportunities to expand beyond borders and strengthen regional value chains. By supporting the recent participation of 20 Nigerian SMEs in the Fair, Afreximbank is not only empowering indigenous enterprises but also advancing the objectives of the AfCFTA,” Daya said.
LCCI also announced plans to deepen Nigeria’s involvement in future editions of the trade fair. The chamber revealed that it will play a more significant role in IATF2027 by mobilising the Nigerian business community ahead of the event, which is scheduled to take place in Lagos.
For small businesses, participation in trade fairs like IATF represents more than visibility. It opens doors to cross-border trade, partnerships, and access to continental value chains , critical opportunities that enable SMEs to scale, compete globally, and drive inclusive growth under AfCFTA. Such initiatives also help position Nigeria’s private sector as a central player in shaping Africa’s future trade landscape.
