Zimbabwe has made a significant leap towards cementing its status as a continental economic hub after securing the permanent hosting rights for the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) starting in 2029. The milestone positions the country as a central player in advancing Africa’s intra-trade agenda, in line with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) vision.
The announcement was made in Cairo, Egypt, recently during Afreximbank’s investiture ceremony, where the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) also unveiled a US$2 billion facility to strengthen Zimbabwe’s agricultural exports and food security initiatives.
Afreximbank Acting Director for Trade Facilitation and the IATF, Dr Gainmore Zanamwe, confirmed the development, describing it as a landmark moment for Zimbabwe and the African trade community. He revealed that Zimbabwe will assume the permanent hosting role after Nigeria’s turn, transforming the IATF into a fixed, institutionalised event based in one location.
“Zimbabwe also won the bid to host the IATF entity permanently. After Nigeria, the event will be held in Zimbabwe in 2029. This is a key initiative to formalise and institutionalise IATF in one place. We are now working closely with the Government of Zimbabwe to prepare for permanent hosting,” said Dr Zanamwe.
The IATF is a flagship continental event that brings together businesses, policymakers, and investors from across Africa to promote trade, investment, and collaboration. Hosting it permanently is expected to bring long-term economic benefits, including increased tourism, infrastructure development, and global visibility for Zimbabwe’s trade potential.
In a complementary move, Afreximbank launched a US$2 billion Agricultural Export Facility aimed at boosting Zimbabwe’s agricultural productivity and export competitiveness. The initiative will support farmers and agribusinesses involved in food production and processing, enhancing both domestic food security and regional trade integration.
“There is an export and food security initiative that we started, working with the Ministry of Agriculture in Zimbabwe. We are now at an advanced stage where we are identifying key farmers who can produce food and export agricultural products to other African countries. The US$2 billion facility is ready, and we invite all key players in production and processing to participate,” Dr Zanamwe said.
The dual announcement underlines Afreximbank’s confidence in Zimbabwe’s economic potential and strategic location within Southern Africa. It also signals growing recognition of the country as a gateway for African trade, investment, and agricultural transformation, furthering its vision under the Second Republic’s national development agenda.
With these developments, Zimbabwe is poised to emerge as a continental trade powerhouse, anchoring Africa’s integration, food security, and sustainable economic growth.
