By Vivian Ihechu
The Nigeria’ pavilion won the Stand Award in the Best Country Pavilion category at the Intra-African Trade Fair 2023 (IATF2023) in Cairo, Egypt, which closed on Nov.15, 2023.
The IATF is organised by the African Export-Import Bank, African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The presentation of the award, alongside six other awards that went to different exhibitors from other countries at the fair, took place on Wednesday, Nov.15.
The IATF2023 started on Nov. 9 and ended on Nov.15, 2023.
Nigeria’s Pavilion was vast with bold creativity that characterised the arena, showcasing the nation’s rich cultural and economic heritage.
Exhibitors with stands in the pavilion, all through, welcomed visitors with warm mien and enthusiasm typical of Nigerians.
AT the IATF2023, Nigerian companies and sub-national signed deals worth over $1bn with the African Export-Import Bank at the IATF2023.
For instance, United Bank for Africa Plc signed $150m trade finance facility agreement under the Ukraine Crisis Adjustment Trade Financing Programme for Africa.
The facility is expected to enhance confidence in the settlement of international trade transactions for strategic imports.
Other Nigerian businesses participated in the fair for diverse reasons.
Oilserv Limited, a group of companies, for instance, saw the IATF2023 as an opportunity to join the Afreximbank bank initiative.
Emeka Okwuosa, Chairman/Group Chief Executive Officer, noted that it was necessary for the company to key into the intra-African system and be able to work closely with other African countries from the point of view of opportunities for Oilserv.
“Also, we can execute projects in other parts of Africa additionally, to work with other companies that do similar activities or can positively add to what we are doing.
“That makes for a better intra-African trade.
“It falls in line with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, AfCfTA, protocols which is about development of Africa.
“ For me, being in Egypt is positive and I believe that we need to do more of this in Africa’,” Okwuosa said.
In all 1,750 exhibitors from 61 countries across Africa and worldwide showcased different kinds of products and services at the IATF2023.
Also at the presentation of the stand awards, the African Union’s African Women in Processing booth received the Best Stand Feature, for capturing the cultural characteristics to IATF 2023.
The AU trade group award was given to the Africa Design booth.
The most innovative stand award went to Algeria, for their use of creative space and bringing life to the hall.
Algeria is billed to hold the IATF in 2025.
