IATF 2025: An export-ready platform for Malawi

IATF 2025: Energizing Malawi’s Export Growth and Economic Prosperity

Post was last updated: July 31, 2025

Key Business Points

  • Intra-African trade presents significant opportunities for Malawi’s businesses, particularly with the operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which has created a unified market of over 1.4 billion people and a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of more than $3.5 trillion.
  • Large-scale, export-ready production is crucial for Malawi to seize the opportunities presented by the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2025, and companies must be prepared to demonstrate their potential to the world, attract buyers and investors, and create visibility for their export offerings.
  • Strategic participation in the IATF 2025 is essential, and companies should take advantage of the trade and investment forum, business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) matchmaking platform, and virtual trade fair booth to connect with buyers, investors, and partners from across Africa.

The Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) is a premier platform for African countries to showcase their products, create partnerships, and unlock the continent’s trade potential. With the operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the fair presents significant trade opportunities, especially for Malawi’s businesses. As ndi fonseka, or business owners, in Malawi, it is essential to integrate into the global economy, and intra-African trade plays a crucial part in this endeavour.

The IATF 2025, scheduled for September 4-10 in Algiers, Algeria, is a strategic opportunity for Malawi to engage with the unified African market and position its businesses for growth. However, to truly seize this opportunity, companies must address the critical challenge of large-scale, export-ready production. Without it, Malawi risks leaving behind untapped potential and missing out on the benefits of increased trade integration.

To make the most of the IATF 2025, Malawi must take a strategic approach to its participation. Large companies have a critical role to play, and their presence at the IATF can demonstrate Malawi’s potential to the world, attract buyers and investors, and create visibility for their export offerings. The trade and investment forum, B2B and B2G matchmaking platform, and virtual trade fair booth are essential tools for companies to connect with buyers, investors, and partners from across Africa.

The opportunities for Malawi at the IATF 2025 are endless, particularly in the Algerian market, which recorded over $42 billion in imports in 2024. Three products with strong export potential to Algeria are groundnuts, aromatic rice, and soybeans. Malawi is already an exporter of groundnuts, and players in the groundnuts value chain can explore further market opportunities in Algeria. The country’s Kilombero rice, known for its aroma and soft texture, could appeal to Algeria’s premium consumers, while non-GMO or specialty soybeans can be positioned for smaller Algerian processors seeking traceable, ethically produced feedstock.

Beyond Algeria, the IATF 2025 presents opportunities for Malawi to explore trade relationships with other African countries. The Export Development Fund (EDF) stands ready to support companies that will secure export markets at the IATF with export financing facilities. Companies must show up with the right products and preparation to move from visibility to actual trade, from interest to signed contracts. The EDF and Malawi Investment and Trade Centre are ready to facilitate participation at the Malawi Pavilion during the IATF 2025, and wina akufike, or come and participate, to take full advantage of this continental platform.

Source Link

What are your thoughts on this business development? Share your insights and remember to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest Malawi business news and opportunities. Visit us daily for comprehensive coverage of Malawi’s business landscape.

Vanessa Banda
Latest posts by Vanessa Banda (see all)
Post Views: 400