The African Startups & SMEs in Exports and Trade Summit (ASSETS) 2025 is a premier trade and innovation platform bringing together dynamic startups, policymakers, investors, and industry leaders to accelerate Africa’s participation in international trade. This summit serves as a gateway for emerging enterprises to explore export opportunities, build cross-border partnerships, and access global markets. Through keynote sessions, expert panels, and curated B2B meetings, participants will gain practical insights into trade facilitation, financing, and regional integration within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).The African Startups & SMEs in Exports and Trade Summit (ASSETS) 2025 is a premier trade and innovation platform bringing together dynamic startups, policymakers, investors, and industry leaders to accelerate Africa’s participation in international trade. This summit serves as a gateway for emerging enterprises to explore export opportunities, build cross-border partnerships, and access global markets. Through keynote sessions, expert panels, and curated B2B meetings, participants will gain practical insights into trade facilitation, financing, and regional integration within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Startup Huddle event provides a platform for entrepreneurs to discover solutions to the challenges they face through purposeful engagement with a broad array of voices from the local community, who can also share their experiences.
Startups are given context about the topic at hand, which includes tools, tricks and techniques from experts. This can take up to 10min. Thereafter, they will be given 2-3 minutes to tell us about some of the challenges they have encountered in their business venture. Participants then get into small groups where they Huddle for a 10-minute -interactive activity. Each group selects a team member or two to share what they discussed. The Huddle will close off having equipped the techies with practical and value-add experience they can use in their startup journey.
Building a business rarely goes exactly as planned. Sometimes, moving forward means changing direction, making difficult decisions or letting go of what no longer works.
Under the theme “This Wasn’t the Plan”, we’re bringing Startup Huddle and Sloane Connect together for an afternoon of honest conversations, shared experiences and meaningful connections.
Date : 29 October 2026
Time : 15:00 Until Late
22 On Sloane Cafe, Cnr winnie Mandela Drive, Sloane St, Bryanston, Sandton
Date : 26 – 30 October 2026
22 On Sloane Hub in Greenpoint & Online via Microsoft Teams