Abuja International Trade Fair: Industry, Trade, Investment Minister, Dr. Jumoke wants conversation converted to deals
The 21st Edition of the Abuja International Trade Fair, (AITF), officially took off on Tuesday with the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, urging participants to covert conversations at the fair into transactions.
She said such trade platforms such as the Abuja International Trade Fair, are avenues that mattered in the economy of the country.
The Minister applauded the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) for keeping the tempo up to its present 21st edition bringing investors for partnership. The theme of this year’s trade fair is “Resilience: Trade, taxation and the economy” will hold from 25th September to 6th October, 2026.
The President of ACCI, Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, said over the years, the Abuja International Trade Fair has evolved into a leading platform where businesses meet markets, products meet consumers, ideas attract investment, and entrepreneurs discover opportunities for growth and expansion.
According to him, this year’s edition reflects the confidence that exhibitors, investors, institutions, and visitors continue to place in the AITF as a marketplace for trade, investment, partnerships, and national development.
He pointed out that this year’s theme resonated directly to the realities of our time, where Nigerian businesses continue to operate in an environment marked by inflationary pressures, exchange-rate volatility, infrastructure gaps, changing consumer behaviour, high operating costs, and evolving tax and regulatory requirements.
Chief Obegolu stressed that in spite of these challenges, Nigerian entrepreneurs, manufacturers, farmers, service providers, and innovators have continued to adapt, invest, create jobs, and explore new markets.
“Their determination demonstrates that the Nigerian private sector remains a vital pillar of our national economy. However, resilience should not mean that businesses are left to bear every burden alone. It must be supported by policies that encourage production, reward innovation, simplify compliance, and make enterprises more competitive,” he said.
On this year’s fair, the President said it will bring together over 500 exhibitors, showcase more than 10,000 products, services and solutions, and attract close to 100,000 visitors over its 12-day duration.
Chief Obegolu noted that the fair further demonstrate that commerce, culture and creativity can work together to strengthen enterprise, promote tourism and create economic value.
“Behind every exhibition stand is a business seeking growth; behind every product is an investment; and behind every successful transaction is the potential for new jobs, stronger enterprises and wider prosperity,” the president stressed.
He, however, expressed particular concern to businesses in the Federal Capital Territory of the challenge of multiple taxation and overlapping levies imposed by different authorities and agencies.
According to him, businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, often face multiple charges for similar or related activities saying these additional costs increase the burden of compliance, place pressure on already constrained operating margins and can discourage investment and business expansion.
He said at the area council level, businesses also encounter various levies and charges, including those administered by the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and other relevant authorities.
Chief Obegolu said ACCI recognize the legitimate responsibility of government at all levels to generate revenue and provide services but there is a need to ensure that the various taxes, rates, fees and levies are properly coordinated, transparent and clearly defined.
Through the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the president explained, Nigerian businesses can expand their reach into African markets, while responsible investment can strengthen our productive capacity, deepen value addition and further position Abuja as a hub for commerce and enterprise.
He stressed that ACCI remains committed to being a strong voice for the business community and a dependable partner in Nigeria’s economic development.
Professor Adesoji Adesugba, ACCI’s 1st Deputy President and Chairman of the 21st AITF, in his remarks, explained that particular attention was given to creating a fair that responds to the needs of businesses while providing meaningful opportunities for trade, investment, networking and market access.
He noted that the 21st AITF has also benefited from the commitment of exhibitors and partners who have demonstrated confidence in the Fair by participating and supporting its objectives.
He encouraged exhibitors, participants and visitors to take full advantage of the opportunities available throughout the Fair noting that beyond displaying products and services, urged businesses to engage, network, negotiate, form partnerships and explore new markets.
In his closing remarks, ACCI Director-General, Agbaidu Jideani noted that the trade fair is much more than an exhibition but a dynamic platform where businesses connect with customers, investors, distributors, government institutions and international partners.
He said the fair provides an avenue for enterprises to showcase their products and services, explore new markets, build strategic partnerships and unlock new opportunities for growth.
Jideani said ACCI appreciate the Federal Capital Territory Administration and the FCT Administration, for their partnership and continued efforts towards strengthening Abuja as a destination for commerce, investment and enterprise.
