IATF-4

The ECOWAS Commission, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), successfully hosted a B2B Speed Networking Side Event during the 4th Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025) in Algiers, Algeria on 6^th September 2025. The event, held at the ECOWAS Pavilion, brought together small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from across West Africa and beyond, creating a vibrant platform for business-to-business engagement and collaboration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The event provided SMEs with a unique opportunity to form working groups, brainstorm competitive Pan-African products, and present innovative concepts to a panel of judges. Guided by real-world case scenarios, participants explored strategies for sourcing, production, distribution, branding, and e-commerce, while also projecting the potential income and employment opportunities their ideas could generate within two years. The winning group benefited market access support from UNDP and a platform to connect with potential partners.

By facilitating structured peer-to-peer exchanges, the B2B Speed Networking session advanced the overall objective of strengthening SME participation in AfCFTA. The initiative also highlighted the vital role of public-private partnerships in fostering a more inclusive and competitive regional economy. The ECOWAS Commission reaffirmed its commitment to empowering SMEs, promoting intra-regional trade, and ensuring that West African businesses are fully integrated into the continental market.