From Paris, Buhari Heads To South Aftica For Trade Fair

By Uche Mbah

President Muhammadu Buhari leaves Paris, France, Saturday for Durban, South Africa to attend the opening ceremony of the second Intra African Trade Fair, IATF.

In a statement released and signed by Presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, the Presidency said that President Buhari will join other African leaders at the event.

“President Muhammadu Buhari will, Saturday, leave Paris for Durban, South Africa, at a special invitation by President Cyril Ramaphosa, to join other African leaders at the Official Opening Ceremony of the 2nd Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2021 which takes place on Monday,” the statement read in part.

The one week event, aimed at boosting trade relations among participants, is expected to hold from November 15 to November 21 at the instance of the African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIM) in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.

“It also promises to create the enabling environment for businesses to thrive across the African continent; bring to fruition the lofty ideas behind the creation of the AfCFTA by providing the platform to further identify and proffer solutions to challenges militating intra-African trade and; generate market information needed to connect buyers and sellers throughout the continent,” the statement said.

According to the release, international brands are expected to be part of the program and are expected to benefit from the fair, thereby attracting for the continent trade and investment opportunities worth $40billion.

Travelling with the President will be the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo; Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar and the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Export Promotion Council,  Segun Awolowo.

President Buhari is expected back in Nigeria Tuesday, November 16.