ASENTI 2026 Opens in Pretoria with Focus on African Startups and Investment

The 2026 African Summit on Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ASENTI) opened in Pretoria on 9 November, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, technology companies and policymakers for three days of discussions on business growth, innovation and investment across Africa.

The summit is being held at the CSIR International Convention Centre and runs until 11 November under the theme “Re-imagining Partnerships for Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Africa.”

Its programme covers eight areas, including startups and small businesses, artificial intelligence, agritech, health technology, education technology, the future of work, sustainable automotive technology, and clean and climate technology.

The event includes panel discussions, business roundtables, investor networking sessions and meetings aimed at connecting startup founders with potential investors and commercial partners.

Startup Pitching and Investor Engagement

Startup development features prominently in this year's programme. A pitching workshop was held on 6 November ahead of the main summit, giving entrepreneurs an opportunity to present their businesses and compete for the ASENTI Connect Award.

The summit also includes investor breakfasts, speed-networking sessions and business-to-business meetings. These activities are intended to help startups establish relationships with investors, larger companies and institutions operating in other African markets.

The published speaker list includes Tafadzwa Antony Munyaradzi, founder and chief executive of Zambia's Yakontent, alongside Calvin Jodisi, president of ASENTI Africa, and Erica Kempken, co-founder and director of South African organisation Youth@worK NPC.

Regional Business and Technology Cooperation

ASENTI's programme also addresses cross-border business opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Discussions focus on partnerships that could help businesses access markets outside their home countries.

The organisers projected attendance of more than 300 delegates, 50 speakers, 20 exhibitors and 50 investors from over 20 countries.

The summit is scheduled to conclude on 11 November, following three days of discussions and networking involving startups, investors, business organisations and public institutions.