ALGIERS, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The third Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) opened Thursday in Algiers, capital of Algeria, with organizers expecting up to 44 billion U.S. dollars in trade and investment deals.

Jointly organized by Afreximbank, the African Union, and the AfCFTA Secretariat, the week-long fair runs until Sept. 10 at the International Conference Center and the Palais des Expositions, bringing together over 35,000 participants and 2,000 exhibitors from more than 75 countries.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune inaugurated the event, calling for stronger economic integration to boost Africa's global role. He noted that despite holding 30 percent of the world's natural resources and a 1.5-billion population, Africa accounts for only 3 percent of global trade and attracts just 6 percent of global investment.

Tebboune stressed that deficits in infrastructure, energy, and financing hinder growth, outlining Algeria's efforts through projects such as the Trans-Saharan Highway, new rail links to Mali and Niger, and expanded air, sea, and banking connections to the continent.

Algeria, hosting the fair for the first time, is also highlighting its energy, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors. ■