The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry has announced plans for the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair, projecting over 100,000 visitors and more than 500 exhibitors as it seeks to deepen trade, investment, and business resilience amid prevailing economic challenges.
The trade fair, scheduled to hold from September 25 to October 6, 2026, at the ACCI Trade Fair Complex along Airport Road, Abuja, will be held under the theme, “Resilience: Trade, Taxation and the Economy.”
Speaking ahead of the fair in Abuja on Tuesday, the First Deputy President of ACCI and Chairman of the 21st AITF Organising Committee, Prof Adesoji Adesugba, said the event would provide a strategic platform for stakeholders to address key economic issues affecting businesses.
According to him, businesses continue to grapple with inflationary pressures, exchange rate volatility, supply chain disruptions, changing tax policies, and rapid technological transformation, making resilience critical for survival and growth.
“The Fair will provide a strategic platform for dialogue, innovation, and collaboration aimed at strengthening business resilience and promoting sustainable economic growth,” Adesugba said.
He noted that the 2026 edition would focus on promoting trade and investment opportunities, facilitating discussions on tax reforms and their implications for businesses, showcasing innovative products and technologies, and strengthening business-to-business and business-to-government engagements.
Adesugba disclosed that exhibitors would showcase over 10,000 products, solutions, and services during the 12-day event, while participants would include manufacturers, financial institutions, government agencies, diplomatic missions, development organisations, investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers from Nigeria and abroad.
He added that emerging sectors such as financial technology, digital payments, tax technology, sustainable transportation, food processing, and environmental sustainability would receive special attention at the fair.
“The Abuja International Trade Fair offers unparalleled access to markets, customers, investors, government institutions, and strategic partners. It remains a critical platform for businesses seeking expansion opportunities within Nigeria and across Africa,” he said.
Also speaking, the Director-General of ACCI, Mr Agabaidu Jideani, described the trade fair as one of Nigeria’s leading platforms for promoting trade, investment, innovation, industrial development, and regional economic cooperation.
He said the event aligns with ACCI’s broader objective of supporting private sector growth, improving the ease of doing business, attracting investments, and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and global markets.
“The global economy continues to evolve rapidly, presenting both opportunities and challenges for businesses. Economic uncertainties, shifting tax regimes, technological disruptions, and changing global trade dynamics demand that businesses become more innovative, competitive, and resilient,” Jideani stated.
According to him, the fair will bring together businesses, investors, policymakers, development partners, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, innovators, and members of the diplomatic community to explore new business and investment opportunities.
Beyond exhibitions, organisers said the event would feature networking sessions, policy dialogues, cultural showcases, and the BABAFEST AITF Weekend 2026, designed to promote Africa’s creative economy, entrepreneurship, innovation, and intra-African trade.
The chamber also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises through market access initiatives, business networking opportunities, and enterprise development programmes aimed at fostering sustainable economic growth.
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