Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos has hailed the nomination of the state as the host city in Nigeria for the 2027 Intra-African Trade Fair.
This was contained in a statement released on Monday by the spokesperson for the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, Mr. Adewale Akodu.
Akodu said the African Export-Import Bank, the African Union, and the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat announced the nomination at the ongoing IATF 2025.
He added that the nomination marks a historic moment for Nigeria and the West African sub-region.
IATF is the continent’s premier trade and investment event, held every two years to promote intra-African trade and accelerate the implementation of the AfCFTA.
Responding to the announcement in Algiers on Friday, Sanwo-Olu said the choice underscores Nigeria’s pivotal role in Africa’s economic integration and Lagos State’s status as a major commercial and financial hub.
“We are very excited about the choice of Lagos for the 2027 edition of this important fair. But we are not surprised because it is a reflection of our resilience, our strength, and our commitment to the Greater Lagos journey as illustrated by our T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda.
“We are striving towards making Lagos a global financial hub; this will definitely boost our efforts.
“We have just successfully hosted GITEX, the global tech expo, and in a few days, we will be hosting the spectacular E1 electric boat race, the first in Africa, which will put us in the company of leading cities, such as Monaco, Jeddah, and others.
“We keep making history. It is the Spirit of Lagos at work,” the governor said.
Sanwo-Olu described the nomination as a vivid acknowledgement of the state’s commitment to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which has impacted Nigeria’s economy positively.
“It is a lot of work. I assure all would-be participants that we will have a great outing here in Africa’s most populous city, the continent’s second-largest city economy.
“Lagos is, indeed, proud of this honour. On behalf of the government and the great people of Lagos, I thank the organisers for bestowing this honour on us,” he said.
The Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, Mrs Folashade Ambrose, said hosting the biannual event is a strategic milestone for the state, Nigeria, and West Africa in boosting continental trade integration.
punch
