By Hajira Khota                                                                                                                                                        19.11.2021

The Intra-African Trade Fair takes place over the next six days and is hosted by the Afrexim Bank in collaboration with the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement Secretariat, comes at a time when several African countries are facing economic challenges, primarily due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The event takes place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal from November 15 to 21.

Companies from Africa will be presenting their products at the IATF, which will be attended by 15 heads of state.

Its plan is to bring African entrepreneurs, sellers, and investors together to showcase their goods and services. Various businesspeople have arrived in Durban with the hopes of making new relationships, selling goods, and boosting their companies.

President Cyril Ramaphosa formally opened the event earlier on Monday, calling it a “nexus point” for businesses throughout Africa, a continent to establish connections and grow the continental economy.

Ramaphosa said that is one of the measures that would enable Africa to achieve economic independence, as envisioned under the African Continental Free Trade Area program.

Covid-19 sent a Zimbabwean trader to the Trade Fair after a painful few years for the continent’s economy due to lockdowns and a general global crisis. She says that she is hopeful that her journey here would provide her with the exposure she requires.

Sihle Zikalala, the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, praised the exhibition as an opportunity to bring African countries together.

The expo, according to Zikalala, would generate 1200 jobs and help to the province’s economic development.