Events

South Africa’s retail landscape is rapidly evolving as online commerce becomes an increasingly central channel for consumer purchasing. As more customers expect mobile-first browsing, transparent pricing, reliable delivery pathways and responsive customer service, entrepreneurs must adapt their businesses to compete effectively in digital marketplaces.

From Hustle to Digital Shelf is a live strategic working session designed to support entrepreneurs transitioning from informal selling to structured participation in online retail platforms. The session focuses on helping business owners

The 14th edition of the Proudly South African Buy Local Summit & Expo will take place on 16–17 March 2026 at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg. As Proudly South African’s flagship annual event, the Summit & Expo has evolved into the country’s premier local procurement and localisation platform, convening key public and private sector stakeholders to strengthen domestic value chains and drive economic recovery.

Held under the theme “Localisation… A Critical Imperative to the Economy”, the 2026 edition will focus on leveraging local procurement as a strategic instrument for job creation

The South Africa Wine Summit 2026, convened by South Africa Wine, brings together leaders from across the wine value chain to unpack the powerful forces shaping the future of the industry under the theme Context Is King.

In an increasingly complex global environment, South African wine producers, exporters, marketers, and industry stakeholders must navigate shifting economic conditions, climate pressures, evolving consumer preferences, political dynamics, and changing global market access rules. This one-day summit creates a high-level platform to interpret these dynamics holistically from

The Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba is billed as one of Africa’s biggest youth‑in‑agriculture gatherings, drawing nearly 2 000 young farmers, agro‑processors and industry leaders over two days of learning, networking and inspiration. The 2026 edition takes place from 9-10 April 2026 in Pretoria, Gauteng, and continues to position itself as a continental platform where the next generation of agri‑gamechangers connect, collaborate and shape the future of African agriculture.​

Early bird tickets are now available at R580 (discounted from R735) for a two day pass, offering significant savings for those

The SME Funding Summit 2026 is a full‑day, dedicated platform for South African entrepreneurs to understand, access and navigate funding opportunities more effectively. Hosted by SME South Africa on 11 June 2026 at The Empire Conference & Events Venue in Parktown, Johannesburg, the summit positions itself as a premier national gathering for SMEs looking to become funding‑ready and connect directly with funders and ecosystem experts.​

Purpose and focus

The summit is designed to address one of the biggest barriers to SME growth: access to appropriate finance and clarity on what funders actually

The African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA) will host its 26th Annual Congress from 23-25 March 2026 at the Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town, South Africa. The 2026 edition, themed “Empowering Africa’s Future, One Seed at a Time”, is positioned as a premier gathering for seed industry leaders, experts, and stakeholders from across the continent and beyond.​

Event purpose

The AFSTA Congress provides a platform for networking, trade, and dialogue on policy, regulatory and technological developments that shape Africa’s seed sector and seed trade. Delegates can expect industry-focused

The IAAE Summit - Century City takes place on 19 June 2026, with registration starting at 08:00 and the summit running until 16:00. Entry is free, welcoming entrepreneurs and SMMEs from the Western Cape to a full day of practical business insights, compliance support, and networking.

As part of a nine-province series, this summit focuses on unpacking one critical building block of the Business Model Canvas, providing participants with expert-led, recorded masterclasses for ongoing learning. Attendees will have access to sessions with corporate procurement specialists, learning how to become

The IAAE Summit at Mbombela is scheduled for 22 May 2026, with registration opening at 08:00 and the programme running until 16:00. Entry is free, providing local entrepreneurs and SMMEs with direct access to advanced business strategies and market opportunities.

Part of a national series, this summit focuses on equipping attendees with practical knowledge centred around one of the critical building blocks of the Business Model Canvas. Participants will benefit from an expert-led, recorded masterclass designed for ongoing learning; plus, insights from corporate procurement leaders will unpack

The IAAE Summit - Kimberley, taking place on 24 April 2026 with registration starting at 08:00 and sessions running until 16:00, offers free entry to entrepreneurs and SMMEs seeking practical growth tools and market access. This summit forms part of a national series focused on unlocking business potential by guiding attendees through each building block of the Business Model Canvas.

Participants will benefit from expert-led, recorded masterclasses, insight from corporate procurement leaders on supplier and vendor readiness, and targeted compliance support from SARS, CIPC, and SEDFA. Practical

The IAAE Summit - Bloemfontein takes place on 27 March 2026, with registration opening at 08:00 and the event running until 16:00. Attendance is free of charge, making this a key occasion for entrepreneurs and SMMEs in the region to fast-track their business growth and market access.

As one in a national series, the summit is designed to equip participants with practical skills and real-world insights built around the Business Model Canvas. Each summit in the series unpacks a different, critical building block ensuring depth and focus whether the topic is Value Proposition, Customer Segments

Overview of Food and Beverage West Africa (FAB West Africa)

Food and Beverage West Africa 2026 will take place from June 9–11, 2026, at the Landmark Centre in Lagos, Nigeria. This trade show is designed to connect global food and beverage exporters with buyers and distributors from across West Africa, with an anticipated expansion to a new fifth hall. It is described as Africa's largest dedicated food and beverage trade event and focuses on products ranging from FMCG and ingredients to machinery and packaging. 

Event details

• Dates: June 9–11, 2026
• Location: Landmark Centre, Lagos, Nigeria
• Focus: To

The Tropics Summit & Countries Showcase is Africa's premier platform for policymakers, industry leaders, investors, CEOs, entrepreneurs, academics, development finance institutions, sovereign wealth funds, startups, and the African economic diaspora. This gathering is designed for those aiming to drive sustainable investment, foster alliances, tap into new growth sectors, and champion Africa’s strategic role under South Africa’s G20 Presidency.​

Event Focus and Goals

The 9th annual Tropics Summit focuses on:

• Accelerating regional integration and intra-African trade.​
• Facilitating multilateral