One roadshow in Nairobi sparked a $100B+ continental shift. Not with fireworks or fanfare, but with focus, bold declarations, and a renewed urgency to turn African trade inward.
On 5th June 2025, at the IATF2025 Business Roadshow in Nairobi, Kenya, they showed up and stepped up.
The message from Kenya’s leadership was both strategic and symbolic: Intra-African trade is no longer just policy. It’s a national priority.
By announcing bold steps to fast-track the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Kenya positioned itself as a trade, industrial, and innovation hub, right at the heart of Africa’s next economic chapter.
"The solutions to Africa’s problems lie with Africans. " - Hon. Lee Kinyanjui, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry
This was a clear signal of intent.
More than 200 stakeholders, including fintech pioneers, creatives, automotive leaders, and policymakers, gathered to explore how regional and continental value chains can drive Africa’s industrialisation and competitiveness.
The opportunity is real, urgent, and within reach.
The numbers tell the story:
- $44B+ in projected trade and investment deals at IATF2025
- 2,000+ exhibitors and 35,000+ visitors expected from 140+ countries
- A track record of $100B+ in trade and investment deals from past editions
Across the continent, countries like Tunisia, Morocco, and South Africa import over $400 million worth of leather goods annually, mostly from Europe and South America.
And yet, African countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, and Sudan have the livestock, tanning capacity, and workforce to meet that demand locally.
The disconnect isn’t capability. It’s coordination.
That’s where platforms like IATF2025 come in, not just as trade shows, but as continental infrastructure for commerce, policy, and innovation.
To unlock Africa’s potential, we must rethink how we trade, not just globally, but with each other.
We must build trust in African value, confidence in African systems, and commitment to African partnerships.
As a Strategic Legal Architect deeply engaged in cross-border investment, legal structuring, and trade policy, I view IATF2025 as far more than an event.
It’s a living mechanism for making AfCFTA work, on the ground, in business, and across borders.
Our continent doesn’t need saving. It needs scaling.
And it starts with us, trading with purpose and partnering with vision.
Let’s keep the momentum alive.
