Caribbean urged to seize opportunities as Africa’s biggest trade fair closes with $48.3B in deals

The curtains came down on the 4th Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) in Algiers, Algeria, with organisers hailing the event as a record-breaking success that secured nearly US$50 billion in trade and investment deals. For the Caribbean, which has been deepening ties with Africa in recent years, the outcomes present new opportunities to strengthen economic and cultural linkages under the Africa-Caribbean trade agenda.

The fair attracted more than 112,000 participants and 132 countries, positioning it as one of the largest trade gatherings in Africa’s history. Delegates emphasised that the IATF has become a catalyst for integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), driving cooperation across borders and opening space for international partners—including the Caribbean.

A major theme emerging from the closing press conference was the role of youth and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in shaping Africa’s trade future. With many Caribbean economies also driven by SMEs and young entrepreneurs, stakeholders stressed the potential for collaboration, especially through knowledge exchange, innovation, and joint ventures. The AU Youth Start-up Awards and SME Pitch Awards showcased a new generation of African entrepreneurs—an inspiration for counterparts in the Caribbean.

Still, concerns were raised about the limited presence of African financial institutions at the fair. Calls were made for stronger involvement from banks, insurers, and credit providers to close financing gaps—a message that also resonates in the Caribbean, where access to trade finance remains a persistent barrier.

As the IATF prepares for its next edition in 2027, leaders urged that attention now shift to implementing the agreements reached in Algiers and strengthening institutions to sustain long-term impact. For Caribbean states, already exploring deeper engagement through platforms such as the Afreximbank-Caribbean initiatives, the fair’s momentum underscores the urgency of tapping into Africa’s expanding trade landscape.

The IATF’s success, organisers said, is not just about billions in deals signed, but about building bridges of cooperation and integration. For the Caribbean, those bridges are increasingly within reach.