Obasanjo in Durban for Intra-Africa Trade Fair

By Sodeinde Temidayo David

Nigeria’s ex-president, Mr Olusegun Obasanjo, has arrived in South Africa for the Intra-Africa Trade Fair (IATF) signing ceremony scheduled to take place at the country’s International Convention Centre.

The Nigerian statesman is noted to have arrived early to the event scheduled to take place from November 15 to 21.

Mr Obasanjo was welcomed by a Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mr Ravi Pillay, at the King Shaka International Airport on Thursday morning.

Mr Obasanjo, the IATF advisory council chairman and the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) premier Mr Sihle Zikalala will lead the signing ceremony of the IATF agreement which will see Durban as play host to the event this year.

Also, the ceremony is set to welcome the Secretary-general of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Mr Wamkele Mene, the Commissioner of the African Union (AU) for Economic Development, Trade and Industry, Mr Albert Muchanga and the president of Afreximbank, Mr Benedict Oramah.

IATF is the key event boosting trade in Africa. No other event brings together more professionals under one roof.

The discussion of the panel, after the signing ceremony, with a focus on promoting the country under the AfCFTA post-COVID-19.

IATF is an initiative that supports the implementation of the AfCFTA.  It is organised by Afreximbank in collaboration with the African Union, marking an important step to sustainably addressing the gap in trade and market information for the successful realisation of the AfCFTA objectives and is aimed at driving trade and investment in Africa.

The event also has a virtual segment called the IATF Virtual, which will enable showcasing of goods, services and investment opportunities on an interactive online platform.

The IATF Virtual will continue even after the Trade Fair has concluded.