Expo & Content Sessions: 11 - 13 Nov 2025
VIP & Partner Events: 10 - 13 Nov 2025
Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town
AfricaIgnite
The Home of African Founders
Powering the next wave of African innovation
Empowering Start-Ups, Connecting Founders, Shaping Tomorrow
AfricaIgnite brings together Africa's most promising start-ups and forward-thinking investors to connect, collaborate, and accelerate growth across the continent's innovation ecosystem. With focused sessions on unlocking capital, bridging early-stage funding gaps, and exploring new investment pathways, the event creates a strategic platform where investors can discover high-potential ventures in rapidly expanding sectors including Fintech, AgriTech, and ClimateTech. Through curated pitch showcases, fireside chats with successful founders, and panels examining the journey from idea to exit, participants gain invaluable insights into building resilient businesses in Africa's diverse markets.
Beyond investment opportunities, AfricaIgnite offers unmatched access to industry leaders shaping policy and infrastructure that support sustainable growth across African markets. The event features specialized matchmaking sessions connecting investors with pre-vetted startups, discussions on corporate-startup collaboration models, and strategies for mobilizing diaspora networks for capital and knowledge transfer. With dedicated exploration of critical themes like AI implementation, climate innovation, and transforming agriculture through technology, AfricaIgnite serves as the premier gathering for those committed to driving Africa's $1 trillion economic potential while addressing the continent's most pressing challenges through innovative, scalable solutions.
2025 Features For Investors:
NEW AfricaIgnite Expo Hall
The new AfricaIgnite Hall offers investors direct access to diverse founder delegations from across Africa. Connect with innovative entrepreneurs exhibiting ventures in high-growth sectors including fintech, climate tech, and agritech. Through curated exhibition spaces, discover investment-ready opportunities that are shaping the continent's technological future.
Investor Day
Investor Day offers an exclusive, closed-door forum for candid discussions across Africa's investment ecosystem. Connect with VCs, DFIs, LPs, infrastructure investors, corporates, telcos and policymakers in an environment designed for honest dialogue and strategic relationship building. This intimate roundtable format enables transparent conversations about challenges and opportunities shaping Africa's investment landscape. If you are interested in joining, please email genie.lam@informa.com
Investor Lounge
The AfricaIgnite Investor Lounge is a dedicated space for VCs, LPs, and Angel Investors to meet, exchange ideas, and build connections in a focused environment designed to encourage collaboration. The lounge will serve as a hub for informal discussions, follow-ups from panels, and spontaneous networking, giving investors a place to connect away from the busy show floor.
Investor–Founder Matchmaking
Our Investor–Founder Matchmaking is a curated experience linking high-potential founders with aligned investors for focused conversations, relationship building, and exploring real opportunities for funding and growth. Meetings are pre-arranged to ensure relevance, helping both sides save time while maximising the chance of forging meaningful partnerships.
For Founders: The 2025 Experience
Founder Day
Founders Day, sponsored by First Serve Ventures, brings together around 250 founders and investors to share valuable insights on key topics including fundraising, growth strategies, and market entry tactics. The day features panels, masterclasses, and networking sessions, culminating in a mixer between founders and investors.
Founders Learning Hub
Dedicated to empowering founders with the tools and skills needed to scale their businesses. From practical growth strategies to access to essential resources, the Hub provides founders with the knowledge and visibility they need to accelerate their journey to success.
Sector Spotlights:
AfricaIgnite offers deep dives into key sectors of Africa's startup ecosystem including ClimateTech, Fintech, AI & Agritech. Each focus area features dedicated content, pitch showcases, and strategic meetups where founders and interested investors can connect and build valuable relationships.
NEW AfricaIgnite Expo Hall
Founders, showcase your venture at the new AfricaIgnite Hall alongside innovative peers from across the continent. Present your tech solution to an audience of investors actively seeking opportunities in high-growth sectors. Connect with fellow entrepreneurs, exchange insights, and gain valuable exposure for your business. Book your exhibition pod today to secure your place in Africa's premier startup showcase.
AfricaIgnite Pitch Competition
The AfricaIgnite Pitch Competition is back for 2025! In partnership with the Startup World Cup and powered by Pegasus Tech Ventures, Africa’s most innovative start-ups will once again battle it out live on stage in front of an audience of founders, investors, and tech leaders.
The winner will secure their place at the Startup World Cup Grand Finale in San Francisco, competing for the USD $1,000,000 investment prize alongside the world’s top start-ups.
Applications are now open – don’t miss your chance to showcase your vision and gain global exposure.
