The 21st Abuja International Trade Fair (AITF) has opened with a call on Nigerian businesses to strengthen resilience, pursue strategic partnerships and leverage trade opportunities to expand their markets and contribute to economic growth.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 21st AITF on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, the 1st Deputy President and Chairman of the Fair, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, said the event was designed to provide meaningful opportunities for trade, investment, networking and market access.
Adesugba said the successful organisation of the Fair was the result of months of planning, consultations and collaboration involving the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), government institutions, private-sector organisations, exhibitors, sponsors, trade groups, security agencies and other stakeholders.
He noted that the Organising Committee had engaged extensively with businesses and prospective participants to ensure that the Fair responds to the needs of enterprises while creating opportunities for local businesses to connect with national and international markets.
According to him, considerable attention was also given to exhibition spaces, coordination of exhibitors, sectoral and business activities, stakeholder relations, media engagement, security and logistics.
He said the diversity of exhibitors and range of activities scheduled for the 21st AITF demonstrated the growing importance of the Fair as a platform for businesses to showcase their products and services, establish partnerships, identify customers, explore investment opportunities and expand their market reach.
The Chairman said this year’s theme, “Resilience: Trade, Taxation and the Economy,” was particularly relevant to the challenges confronting Nigerian businesses.
He identified inflationary pressures, exchange-rate volatility, high operating costs, infrastructure challenges, as well as evolving tax and regulatory requirements among the issues facing enterprises.
While commending the resilience of Nigerian entrepreneurs, Adesugba stressed that sustainable business growth required an enabling environment, access to finance and markets, supportive policies, infrastructure and effective public-private partnerships.
He urged exhibitors, participants and visitors to go beyond displaying their products and services by engaging in networking, negotiations, partnerships and market exploration.
He also called on stakeholders to use the Fair as a platform for constructive discussions on trade, taxation, investment and the broader business environment.
Adesugba expressed appreciation to the President and Executive Committee of ACCI, the Director-General and management, members of the Organising Committee, staff, exhibitors, sponsors, partners, government institutions, diplomatic missions, security agencies, the media and other stakeholders for their contributions to the success of the Fair.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of ACCI, Mr Agbaidu Jideani, said the 21st AITF marked 12 days of business, investment, innovation, networking and opportunities.
Jideani said the Fair, which commenced on Friday, September 25, 2026, was more than an exhibition, describing it as a platform where businesses connect with customers, investors, distributors, government institutions and international partners.
He said the event provided enterprises with opportunities to showcase their products and services, explore new markets, build strategic partnerships and unlock new avenues for growth.
According to him, the activities of the AITF reflect ACCI’s mandate to promote trade and investment, support enterprise development, advocate an enabling business environment and create opportunities for businesses to start, grow, compete and prosper.
Jideani highlighted ACCI’s four strategic centres: the Business Enterprise Support and Training Centre (BEST), the National Policy Advocacy Centre (NPAC), the NCC–Dispute Resolution Centre (NCC-DRC), and the Abuja Trade Centre (ATC).
He said the centres support enterprise development and capacity building, policy research and advocacy, alternative dispute resolution, trade promotion, exhibitions, business matchmaking and commercial engagements.
The ACCI Director-General expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, particularly the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, for its support for trade, investment and private-sector development.
He also acknowledged the support of the Presidency, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, diplomatic missions, traditional rulers, sponsors, strategic partners, exhibitors, trade associations, business groups, entrepreneurs, investors, the media and other stakeholders.
Jideani urged exhibitors to maximise the opportunities provided by the 12-day event, stressing that they should not merely display their products and services but should also engage, connect, negotiate, collaborate and transact.
He said the true value of the AITF would be measured not only by what was displayed at exhibition stands but also by the business relationships and opportunities generated from the interactions.
He urged businesses to find new customers, entrepreneurs to connect with investors, investors to discover opportunities, manufacturers to access new markets and policymakers to listen directly to businesses.
According to him, international partners should also use the Fair to explore the opportunities available in Nigeria.
Jideani said ACCI believed that businesses thrive through strong relationships, market access, sound policies, investment, innovation and collaboration.
He therefore encouraged participants to engage fully with the Fair, explore available opportunities and build partnerships capable of producing lasting economic benefits.
“This is more than a Trade Fair. It is an opportunity to build bridges, open markets, create partnerships and contribute to the growth of Nigeria’s economy,” he said.
He urged participants to “come with expectations, leave with connections, turn those connections into opportunities, and turn those opportunities into prosperity.”
He wished exhibitors, sponsors, partners, participants and visitors a successful and rewarding 21st Abuja International Trade Fair.
