Sierra Leone is set to participate in the African Export-Import Bank’s (Afreximbank) Trade Fair organized in collaboration with the African Union Commission and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat. It is the 3rd Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2023) to be hosted in Cairo on the theme: “Connecting African Markets,” under the auspices of the Arab Republic of Egypt from 9-15 November 2023. The African Export-Import Bank, the African Union, the AfCIFTA Secretariat, and the Arab Republic of Egypt have invited thousands to join them at upcoming lATF2023 opportunities for all, in Cairo, Egypt.
The objective of the IATF2023 is to provide a unique and valuable platform for businesses to access an integrated African market of over 1.3 billion people with a GDP of over US$3.5 Trillion created under the African Continental Free
Trade Area for a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The exhibition will target key investment sectors in the Agriculture and agro-processing, Automotive, Clothing and textiles, Construction and infrastructure, Consumer goods, Creative Industries, inducing Entertainment, Diaspora, Education, Energy and power, Engineering, Finance, Health and pharmaceuticals, ICT, Innovation, Logistics, Manufacturing, Mining, Standards, Tourism, Transport (road, rail, maritime, air) Youth Start-ups.
IATF2023 is composed of different ventures, product categories are further expanded, focusing on the segmented fields of Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) – This platform will showcase the African creative economy in fashion, music, film, arts and craft, sports, gastronomy, and culinary arts. The CANEX Program will include a Creative Africa Summit and a dedicated Creative Industry Exhibition. An 82B and 82G platform – The platform will provide opportunities for matchmaking, business exchanges, and the conduction of business and investment desks. This is supported by a dedicated African Buyers” Program. Country Days – The country day segment which has sponsorship opportunities open to 4 countries – presents a platform for the 4 selected countries to showcase their trade, investment, tourism, and cultural opportunities. The first slot is reserved for the Host Country (Egypt). IATF Virtual – This platform showcases goods, services, and investment opportunities on an interactive online platform. The IATF-Virtual is currently live and will continue even after the physical Trade Fair has ended. Africa Automotive Show – The Africa Automotive Show will present a platform for auto manufacturers, assembling, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and component suppliers to exhibit their products and also interact with potential buyers and suppliers. It consists of an Auto Forum, Auto show, and B28 and B2G exchanges. AU Youth Start-Up Program – The Youth Start-Up segment will have a dedicated Pavilion for Youth Start-Ups in Africa where they will showcase their innovative ideas, prototypes, goods, and services. The IATF will provide opportunities for matchmaking with venture capitalists, entrepreneurship training, and networking amongst the youth and other delegates at the Trade Fair. Diaspora Day – IATF2023 Diaspora Day will highlight commercial and cultural ties between Africa and its diaspora, featuring a Diaspora Summit, market and exhibition lastly, a Cultural and gastronomic showcase.
The Ministry of Finance in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade has put together a comprehensive list of businesses, dealing in different products operating in the form of corporate, Small, and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and the two ministries are doing this to pave the way for deepening friendly exchanges and practical cooperation among regional sides in various fields, promote mutual understanding, bring hearts closer, and make greater contributions to building an African-African friendly home together. The Sierra Leone Commercial Bank and Rokel Commercial Bank, Micro Forestry Development Ltd, Sierra Tropical, and Sierra Bo Garri have all been listed amongst prospective corporate F1 and corporate participants. While, Lambano SL Ltd, Rosel Beauty Shop, Lyoa Sourced, Monaj Design, Dorvaila Inn and Suite, Nianda Agriculture, Kujuls Naturals, Sydsher Enterprises, Susue Consulting, Hudson Martin, and Marie Carol are apparently amongst SME to be a part.
This is the first time Sierra Leone is participating in the IATF but is fully prepared to market what it can offer in terms of trade and investment opportunities. It is a drive in line with President Bio’s plan of transforming the economy; improving the micro-economy, developing the private sector, developing the financial sector, and deepening financial inclusion.
The Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone in Cairo is facilitating in order to help professional and business services in Sierra Leone access this event to hear from Governments and leaders in the services sector across accounting, legal, consultancy, and creative service industries on how Sierra Leonean businesses can grow their overseas networking and sales. It will also help businesses learn about export opportunities from global challenges and trends like technology transformation and clean growth and the support available from institutions. Again, it will also give first-hand information on how to access export opportunities in key overseas regions. This provides a unique opportunity to improve Sierra Leone’s attractiveness and appeal to an international audience – driving important increases in trade, tourism, and international students. Additionally, attendees will also be able to share experiences from Sierra Leone, other countries and regions, plus networking opportunities that will aid Sierra Leonean businesses to the spotlight
Since the establishment of the African Free Trade Area dialogue and relations between Afreximbank have achieved fruitful results of cooperation in all areas. It is the continental financial institution that represents the people of the 54 African nations, and Afreximbank is determined to leverage the African economic crisis through Africa-to-Africa trade and investment models. This engagement is the primary function on which IATF and Afreximbank place greater emphasis thereby encouraging trade links that will play a crucial role in the intensive development of Afreximbank and Africa dialogue relations. Afreximbank will continue to support Commercial Banks in playing an active role in promoting African-trade relations.
The IAFT will host various people-to-people exchange programs with Afreximbank in the fields of culture, sports, trade, science and technology, tourism, youth, and so on. These programs can further the required understanding and friendship between Afreximbank, the Egyptian people, and the peoples of wider Africa. In the succeeding years, The IATF will continue to expand the scope of person-to-person exchanges and cooperation, thus making efforts to a closer Africa-to-Africa community with a shared future.
The IATF2023 Fair will showcase colorful culture and arts as well as unique traditional delicacies across North, east, and West Africa. Artists and friends from Egyptians will present wonderful performances such as dances, singing, instrumental music, and Tourism. The fair will mobilize hundreds of investors and invite guest’s cultural heritage display with great interest
Furtherance thereof, this Trade fair will open new opportunities for new development. The Seven-day event sees the participation of exhibitors from 54 countries, regions, and international organizations via online and offline channels.
With an area of over 150,000 square meters, the Trade Fair features over 20 pavilions. The trade fair will serve as a game changer and will generate mutual investment amounts which can be expanded as trade and commercial bonds between Afreximbank and Commercial Banks, thereby deepening the bilateral and trade ties that will leverage poverty reduction.
Finally, it is expected that the trade fair will boost trade between Africa to Africa and Africa and Euro-Asian countries. This will accelerate the people-to-people exchanges and make AfCFTA become an important concept to promote exchanges and cooperation between Africans in advancing the course of economic development and shouldering the common task of improving people’s livelihoods.
*Ambassador Sadiq Silla is boosting ties with companies and factories ahead of the arrival of the Sierra Leonean delegation*
