IATF 2025 Kicks Off in Algeria: Africa’s Largest Trade Fair Becomes Launchpad for Continental Blockchain and Payment Integration

Algiers, Algeria – The 2025 Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) has launched in Algiers, bringing together over 15,000 participants from 75 countries in what has become the continent’s most important platform for advancing trade integration and technological innovation. This year’s event, themed “Connecting African Markets for the Digital Age,” features an unprecedented focus on blockchain technology, cross-border payment systems, and digital infrastructure as catalysts for unlocking Africa’s $3.4 trillion trade potential.

Against the backdrop of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation, IATF 2025 serves as both marketplace and policy laboratory where deals are signed, partnerships formed, and the future of African commerce is being redesigned. Here’s what makes this year’s event particularly significant for Africa’s economic transformation.

Key Highlights and Major Announcements

1. Pan-African Payment Settlement System (PAPSS) Expansion

• 22 additional countries joined the system, bringing total participation to 44 African nations
• New integration with Afreximbank’s blockchain-based settlement platform
• Target: Process $50 billion in intra-African trade transactions by 2026

2. Digital Trade Protocol Launch

• Africa Union unveiled harmonized digital trade rules covering:
  • Electronic contracts and signatures
  • Data localization standards
  • Digital asset classification
• Pilot phase: 13 countries including Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa

3. Major Deals Signed

• Dangote Group: $1.2B agreement for cross-continental cement distribution
• MTN Group: Pan-African mobile money interoperability pact
• Ethiopian Airlines: Digital cargo tracking system with 32 African airports

Blockchain and Fintech Focus Areas

Trade Finance Innovation

• African Development Bank: Launched $500M blockchain-based trade finance facility
• Standard Bank: Unveiled AI-powered letter of credit platform
• ECOBANK: Demonstrated instant settlement system for SMEs

CBDC Developments

• Nigeria (eNaira): Showcased integration with 8 other African currencies
• Ghana (e-Cedi): Pilot expansion to include cross-border transactions
• New announcements: Kenya, Angola, and Morocco to launch CBDC pilots in 2026

Smart Agriculture

• IBM Africa: Blockchain-based supply chain for agricultural exports
• Twiga Foods: $200M expansion using IoT and blockchain tracking
• Algerian Dates Export: Digital certification system to boost European exports

Country Participation and Focus

Technology and Infrastructure Showcase

Trade Connectivity Platform

• Real-time dashboard showing trade flows between African nations
• AI-powered matching system connecting buyers and suppliers
• Digital certification for rules of origin compliance

Logistics Innovation

• DP World: Automated port management system demonstration
• Lori Systems: AI-driven cross-border logistics platform
• Algerian Railways: Digital corridor management system

Energy Integration

• Desertec Initiative: $2.1B solar energy transmission project
• Nigerian-Moroccan: Gas pipeline digital monitoring system
• Africa Green Energy: Blockchain-based carbon credit trading

Startup and Innovation Pavilion

Fintech Highlights

• Nala Payments (Tanzania): Cross-border expansion to 15 new countries
• Chipper Cash (Pan-Africa): $100M small business financing initiative
• Paga (Nigeria): Merchant payment system expansion

Agritech Innovation

• Hello Tractor (Nigeria): AI-powered equipment sharing platform
• Twiga Foods (Kenya): Blockchain-based supply chain financing
• Sokowatch (East Africa): B2B e-commerce platform scaling

Health Tech

• mPharma (Ghana): Pharmaceutical supply chain management
• 54Gene (Nigeria): African genomic data marketplace
• Zipline (Rwanda): Drone delivery network expansion

Policy and Regulation Forum

AfCFTA Implementation Progress

• 85% of tariff lines now liberalized
• 45 countries ratified the agreement
• Digital trade protocol adoption timeline set for 2026

Standardization Initiatives

• Common digital identity framework for 35 countries
• Harmonized e-commerce regulations
• Cross-border data flow agreements

Investment Protection

• Pan-African investment code nearing completion
• Digital asset regulation framework proposal
• Dispute resolution mechanism for digital trade

Numbers That Matter

• $45.6B worth of deals expected to be signed (2023: $36B)
• 15,000+ participants from 75 countries
• 1,500+ exhibitors across 12 sectors
• 350+ speakers in 200 sessions
• 40% of exhibitors in technology and digital services
• 60% of participants from private sector

Looking Ahead: The Algiers Declaration

The summit will conclude with the adoption of the Algiers Declaration on Digital Trade Integration, expected to include:

1. 2026 Deadline for full PAPSS implementation across Africa
2. Common Digital Market framework for goods and services
3. Africa Blockchain Initiative for trade facilitation
4. Digital Skills Development fund for youth and women
5. Cyber Security Cooperation framework

Why This Matters for Africa’s Future

The IATF 2025 represents more than just a trade fair—it’s the operationalization of Africa’s economic integration vision. By combining traditional trade with digital innovation, the continent is leapfrogging legacy systems and building a 21st-century trade infrastructure that could:

• Increase intra-African trade from current 15% to 30% by 2030
• Create 15 million new jobs in digital and trade sectors
• Reduce trade costs by 25-30% through digitalization
• Attract $200B+ in digital infrastructure investment

As African Union Trade Commissioner Albert Muchanga stated: “We are not just trading goods—we are trading our future.”

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