The Ibukun Awosika Leadership Academy (IALA) has announced the debut edition of African Marketplace Dubai 2025.

The platform is expected to aggregate the finest export-ready SMEs, brands, and products from Africa and the Caribbean, spanning fashion, agribusiness, technology, textiles, the creative arts, and multiple sectors, and connect them to the world.

Speaking of the upcoming event, Mrs. Awosika, founder of IALA, described the platform as another opportunity to introduce the best to the continent and, most importantly, create a global stage where 200 nationalities live, trade and influence culture.

“African Marketplace Dubai is our opportunity to introduce the best of our continent and the Caribbean to the world in a powerful way. This isn’t just about products on display, it’s about shifting perception, opening doors, and showing that our excellence belongs at the centre of global conversations. Dubai gives us a global stage that’s both strategic and symbolic — a place where over 200 nationalities live, trade, and influence culture,” she said.

Scheduled to take place from November 12–15, 2025, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Dubai, this four-day exhibition is more than just a marketplace; it’s a global stage designed to unlock opportunities, deepen intra-African and diaspora trade, and build a long-term pipeline for economic and cultural exchange.

African Marketplace Dubai is positioned as a response to one of the continent’s most urgent challenges — sustainable access to global markets. The event is designed to provide participants with a dynamic mix of product exhibitions, hands-on workshops, immersive cultural showcases, and focused business development sessions.

While all attendees will be able to explore the depth and diversity of African and Caribbean innovation, dedicated networking opportunities will be tailored specifically for exhibitors to connect directly with distributors, investors, and cross-border partners.