13 – 15 SEPTEMBER 2026

RIYADH FRONT EXHIBITION & CONFERENCE CENTER

Select

  • Day One
  • Day Two
  • Day Three

Day One - Tue, 11 June

11:00 AM

Opening Keynote Address

Lulama NdlovuDepartment of Economic Development, City of Johannesburg

11:30 AM

Lessons learned - What has been done to boost Gauteng's township businesses

Join this discussion and hear from Government on how the Township Economic Development Bill is promoting and developing the township economy making it easier, cheaper, and faster to do business.

Key takeaway:

  • Growing Gauteng Together 2030 - update on funding initiatives and what has been achieved

Nosipho KhonkwaneGauteng Enterprise Propeller

12:00 PM

Trade investment opportunities in Mpumalanga

Join this session and hear from the Department of Economic Development and Tourism in Mpumalanga share trade and investment opportunities for SME's wanting to do business in Mpumalanga

Key takeaways:

  • The mandate and vision of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism
  • Overview of Priority Economic Sectors within the Mpumalanga Province
  • The Mpumalanga Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (MERRP)
  • Mpumalanga investment opportunities with potential for high returns


Sibusiso DlaminiMpumalanga Department of Economic Development & Tourism

12:30 PM

Unlocking opportunities - Destination marketing in Southern Africa

Join this discussion and hear from the Government as they share insights on the latest tourism incentives, tourism demands, investment opportunities, and destination development to accelerate inbound for business travel

Thandubuhle MgudlwaThe Johannesburg Tourism Company

01:00 PM

Capacity building - Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme

Hear about the resources available to you right now to grow your business. Join this discussion and gain insights into what business support you can access and how you go about doing so.

Key takeaways:

  • Capacity building - What strategies exist to aid you in your business
  • Enterprise development - What resources are available to support small business
  • Route to market - Tips on how to get market ready

Louis NhlapoSmall Enterprise Development Agency

02:00 PM

Empowering your business growth - Access to funding strategies

Join this session and gain firsthand insights on the funding opportunities and financial solutions offered by Old Mutual SMEGO. Old Mutual SMEGO offers a range of financial solutions including business loans, purchase order financing, and risk insurance, to help you secure the capital you need to expand and thrive.

Key takeaways:

  • Creating partnerships for financial health through leveraging business opportunities to fuel your growth and achieve your business goals
  • Business financing options - how do you access capital to expand


Nobesuthu NdlovuOld Mutual SMEGO

02:30 PM

The benefits of the AEO system for traders in South Africa

Join this session and gain firsthand insights into the AEO programme for traders in Southern Africa

Key takeaways:

  • How to enjoy effective trade facilitation through expedited/flexible inspections and reduced surety
  • Speed up custom-to-custom network arrangements
  • Streamline international trade supply chains

Zandile MthethwaSouth Africa Revenue Service

Athenkosi AfolabiSouth African Revenue Service

Alastair TempestEcommerce Forum Africa

Muzi MhlongoSouth African Revenue Service

03:00 PM

High-end designer fashion garments and accessory showcase

Get ready to be dazzled as we unveil the latest haute couture like never before. Join this showcase with emerging top-end designers as they unveil their latest fashion creations brought to you by the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Malethola MatubeIketsetse Boka Moso Holdings

Khomotso TalaneEmerald Stone Event

Peter SebiloaneMok-wining Production

Sophie JosiahMasane A Pula Deco Enterprise

Mapholo RatauLedikana

Felix MokoenaMK Clothing & Design

Day Two - Wed, 12 June

11:00 AM

Overcoming trade barriers through AfCFTA to include women and youth in business

Join this empowering discussion on women in trade under the AfCFTA trade platform with an extraordinary panel of African female leaders and philanthropists across the continent.

Sindiswa MzamoCircle of Business Women

Nancy SangquMilani International

Jacqueline NzisabiraUN Women

Lethabo SitholeAmila Africa

Mpume ZwaneAfrisource

12:00 PM

Entering new markets - What every entrepreneur needs to know

Keynote Address

UAE and South Africa business case


Country spotlight

Entering new markets - What every entrepreneur needs to know

Join this discussion and gain practical insights on navigating new export markets to stay compliant.


Buhlebokukholwa SibanyoniAzanyah Trade Hub

01:00 PM

Entering new markets - What every entrepreneur needs to know

Join this session with a leading trade expert and gain practical insights on navigating new export markets to stay compliant - customs, tariffs and cultures preparing your business to take advantage of new opportunities

Sergio Carlos MacamoHigh Commission of the Republic of Mozambique

01:30 PM

Localisation and its importance thereof in growing the South African economy

CEO will unpack what Localisation refers to, the Proudly SA Buy Local campaign and the mandates thereof, the access to market opportunities linked to affiliating with Proudly SA as well as the overall benefits of buying local to the SA economy






Eustace MashimbyeProudly SA

02:00 PM

R204 - Transition from the informal to the formal economy recommendation

Education, Skills Development and Financial Inclusion

The session will focus on expanding access to education, lifelong learning, skills development, and financial services to enhance the capacity and resilience of informal workers.


Income Security and Access to Justice

Discussion will center around designing appropriate minimum wage policies, ensuring effective access to justice, and promoting income security for informal workers.

Chantal MaximInformal Economy Development Forum

David VenterInformal Economy Development Forum

Mbatho KhumaloInformal Economy Development Forum

02:30 PM

Natural beauty and cosmetics - Starting a cosmetic business

Find out how to increase your salon revenue by producing your products. Join this engaging masterclass curated for entrepreneurs and gain tangible insights on how to start a cosmetic business and discover strategies to build a product line that makes sense for your customers.

Key takeaways:

  • Business development - scaling a cosmetic business
  • Formulations, contract manufacturing, and white-label manufacturing
  • Product development - compliance and contract manufacturing
  • Tapping into new trends and markets
  • Developing new partnerships and staying connected
  • Tips on how to build licensing relationships with manufacturers
  • Marketing - navigating SA and the African cosmetic market
  • Funding

Eileen KrauseDC Laboratories

Chane ToddDandelion Distribution

Dianne NeethlingImsyser Health

Connie MashabaAmka Products

Nelisiwe JolinyathiCosmetic Export Council of South Africa

Kamani RamlakanNB Skin Science

Day Three - Thu, 13 June

11:00 AM

Workshops brought to you by the Ecommerce Forum of Africa

E-commerce might be growing at a slower pace than during the pandemic, but it’s still taking up an increasingly larger slice of the total retail sales worldwide. By the end of 2023, in Europe and the USA one in every five retail sales will be made online with customers buying behaviours evolving. As technology continues to develop and customer preferences shift, companies need to adapt and innovate to stay ahead of the curve. Attend our e-commerce workshops and gain practical advice from experts on how to incorporate e-commerce into your business strategy.

11:00 AM

Bringing e-commerce to Informal Traders


Craig ChamberlainExpress Africa

12:00 PM

E-commerce in the Townships - The next big market


Vuyo TofileTimbaktuu

01:00 PM

Opportunities for trade throughout Africa

Alastair TempestEcommerce Forum Africa

02:00 PM

The AEO Programme

Zandile MthethwaSouth Africa Revenue Service

Athenkosi AfolabiSouth African Revenue Service

Muzi MhlongoSouth African Revenue Service