Africa-Press – Seychelles. ZIMBABWE has been named the permanent host of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) starting in 2029, in what officials say is a landmark decision that solidifies the country’s desire to be the future hub of continental commerce.
The announcement, made recently in Cairo, Egypt, positions Zimbabwe as the fixed base for Africa’s premier trade event, a key platform for advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement.
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) also unveiled a US$2 billion facility dedicated to boosting Zimbabwe’s agricultural exports and strengthening its food security.
Afreximbank acting director for trade facilitation and IATF, Gainmore Zanamwe, confirmed the historic decision.
He said after Nigeria hosted the next event, the trade fair would move to Zimbabwe permanently to become an institutionalised fixture.
“Zimbabwe also won the bid to host the IATF entity permanently,” he said.
“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.”
IATF brings together businesses, investors and policymakers from across the continent to forge trade and investment deals.
Alongside the hosting rights, Afreximbank’s US$2 billion Agricultural Export Facility is designed to transform the country’s agricultural sector.
The initiative will provide critical financing to farmers and agribusinesses involved in food production and processing, aiming to increase both export capacity and domestic food security.
“There is an export and food security initiative that we started, working with the Ministry of Agriculture in Zimbabwe,” Zanamwe noted.
“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.”
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