Calabar, long celebrated as Nigeria’s capital of hospitality and culture, is preparing to step onto an even bigger stage. Cross River State has officially secured the hosting rights for the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2026, a move that positions the city not just as a tourism destination but as a continental hub for business, culture, and innovation.

The announcement was formalised in Algiers, Algeria, where Governor Bassey Otu signed the hosting agreement during the 5th Sub-Sovereign Business Engagement on the sidelines of IATF 2025. The deal makes Calabar the first Nigerian city to welcome the trade fair since its inception in 2018.

Speaking after the signing, Governor Otu described the development as a historic milestone. “This is a profound honour for our state and a defining moment for Africa’s sub-sovereign governments,” he said. “Cross River is ready to lead Africa into a new era of trade and cooperation, where our local power fuels global impact.”

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The 2026 edition is expected to attract thousands of exhibitors, investors, and policymakers from across the continent. For Nigeria, hosting the IATF means more than prestige, it opens the door to billions of dollars in trade deals, partnerships, and investment opportunities.

While trade will be at the heart of IATF 2026, Governor Otu stressed that the fair would also celebrate Africa’s creativity. “In Calabar, you will encounter a city that is second to none in hospitality, culture, and tourism,” he said. “We will deliver a trade fair that Africa will never forget, because it will showcase who we are and what we can achieve together.”

He praised Afrexim Bank, the organisers of the fair, for recognising the creative economy as “Africa’s new goldmine.” From Afrobeats to Nollywood, African culture is no longer just heritage; it is business. “Afrexim has shown tremendous leadership in standing behind Africa’s creative sector,” Otu said. “Our music, our film, our art, and our stories are not just cultural treasures, but economic powerhouses that can compete anywhere in the world.”

Beyond the glamour of the trade fair, Otu used the platform to push a bigger idea: that Africa’s future will be shaped not just by national governments but by sub-sovereign leaders. “The way forward is for governors and sub-national entities to be the transformers and architects of Africa’s future,” he said. “It is at this level that real impact is felt, and it is at this level that we can unlock the full promise of the African Continental Free Trade Area.”

For Cross River, this is also a chance to reclaim its place as Nigeria’s tourism heartbeat. Calabar is already home to the famous annual carnival, a thriving hospitality sector, and a history of global connections through its port. By 2026, the city will add one more title, Africa’s trade capital.

Meiza Nigeria