Algiers: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) is set to lead a South African business delegation comprising 30 companies to the fourth Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), which will be held in Algiers, Algeria, from September 4 to 10, 2025. The IATF serves as a platform to promote intra-African trade by bringing together businesses, investors, and policymakers from across the continent and the diaspora.
According to South African Government News Agency, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Zuko Godlimpi, emphasized that the event provides South Africa with an opportunity to showcase its goods and services, attract investment, and foster regional integration. This aligns with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Godlimpi highlighted the importance of participating in international exhibitions as part of the dtic’s mandate and the Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP) 2024-2029, which focuses on economic growth, job creation, industrialization, localization, inclusive growth, and expanding both domestic and export markets.
Godlimpi also noted the strategic significance of Algeria as Africa’s third-largest economy, stressing the need to establish direct trade routes to enhance trade between the two nations. Despite South Africa enjoying a trade surplus under the AfCFTA, Godlimpi pointed out that preferential trade with Algeria is limited. He urged both countries to intensify efforts to promote and support preferential trade under the AfCFTA to fully capitalize on new market access opportunities.
The trade fair will focus on sectors such as agriculture, automotive, mining, information and communications technology (ICT), and energy. In addition to the exhibition, the event will feature trade and investment forums as well as industry conferences. Following previous editions held in Cairo (2018 and 2023) and Durban (2021), the IATF 2025 is anticipated to attract approximately 35,000 attendees and 1,600 exhibitors.
Source: South African Government News Agency