South Africa to Host of IATF 2021

ThesecondIntra-AfricanTradeFair(IATF2021)hasbeenrescheduled

totakeplaceinDurban,KwaZulu-Natal,SouthAfrica,fromNovember 15th to 21, 2021. The Trade Fair was previously due to be held in Kigali, Rwanda in December, 2021. A statement explained that the decision to move the Trade Fair to Durban was made by the Advisory Council of IATF2021 at its 10th meeting held virtually in May 2021. This decision was arrived at after formal consultations with the Government of Rwanda, who indicated that logistical constraints relatedtotheCOVID-19pandemichadadverselyaffectedtheprogress of construction of a new facility to host the event. Commentingonthedecision,IATF2021AdvisoryCouncilChairmanand formerPresidentofNigeria,ChiefOlusegunObasanjo,commendedthe GovernmentofRwanda,Afreximbank,theAU,theAfCFTASecretariat andallIATFstakeholdersforshowinggreatresilienceinadaptingtothe uncertainenvironmentarisingfromtheCOVID-19pandemicsituation. “We have once again been able to shoulder the consequences of the COVID-19pandemic,whichisaffectingallsectorsworldwideandforcing Governments, corporates and individuals to take unprecedented measures to ensure public safety and keep economies running”, Obasanjo said. “Relocating IATF2021 to Durban saves us time on the calendar and willenableAfricancountriesandcorporates,aspartoftheirrecovery strategy,totakefulladvantageoftheTradeFair,whichisalsoanimportant component of the implementation of the African Continental Free TradeAgreementunderwhichtradingcommencedthisyear”, headded. He expressed optimism that, “a significant number of people would have been vaccinated by November and this will allow us to have a successful event”.