600 exporters, buyers, associations and experts from 26 countries across 5 continents attended Engage Trade Africa (ETA) over 4 days in October 2025. Hosted at a variety of exceptional venues around Durban, including the Durban ICC, Blue Waters Hotel, and uShaka Marine World, the four-day event showcased premium African producers and their offerings to buyers and potential partners from across Africa and the world, while offering valuable insights from industry experts through a series of 8 workshops and over 3,000 strategic B2B matchmaking meetings.
The ETA team travells to events around the world to meet and source the perfect buyers and partners to attend the event each year. In 2025, ETA covered the costs to bring more than 50 buyers, from 15 different countries, to the event. And once they were here, they went far beyond simply introducing them to the event participants.
ETA offered participants many unique ways to connect in 2025, socially on the Durban Ricksha Bus to uShaka Marine World, meals and networking events, formally via B2B meetings and workshops, and experientially with site visits to successful local facilities, easily leading to 23,000+ engagements.
MONDAY 27 OCTOBER
Day 1 started at the Blue Waters Hotel, with registration followed by a welcome and introduction to Engage Trade Africa by Catalyze MD, Rex Bowden. Also part of the opening ceremony was an introduction to knowledge partner PUM by Ms. Hilde Tol, of PUM Netherlands, a welcome speech by TIKZN’s Mr. Sihle Ngcamu and then a cutting of the ribbon for the the official opening of ETA.
Then we kicked off 2 streams of interactive workshops, focusing on Investing in Africa and Exporting and Trading from Africa. Three sessions for Investors and Buyers and five for our African Exporters, offered practical insights into trade, investment, and partnership opportunities across Africa.
The day wound down with a networking reception hosted by Invest Durban at uShaka Marine World, celebrating the launch of ETA. The perfect end to an excellent first day of workshops, and a wonderful way for everybody to get to know each other before embarking on the B2B Matchmaking meetings of the days ahead.
TUESDAY 28 OCTOBER
Catalzye MD and ETA founder, Rex Bowden, welcomed everybody to Day 2 with an introduction to the B2B Matchmaking Meeting program, which runs through day 2 and 3. The structure of Engage Trade Africa is unique, designed to have the time invested spent wisely and productively for everybody involved.
The meeting space holds 80 tables, set up for each delegate scheduled for the day, allowing the pre-approved buyers and associations to easily move between meetings. Delegates have easy access to their products, beautifully displayed on showcase shelves surrounding the tables. The 20-minute meetings happen in “speed-networking” fashion, giving participants time to connect and engage, while the timer keeps them on topic and the room buzzing with energy.
A cocktail function, hosted by eThekwini Municipality, wrapped a vibrant first day of B2B meetings on Tuesday. Two fashion designers hosted on the TIKZN stand, Gugu Bhengu of Gugu Mobile Boutique and Silungile Mokoena (Sluu) of Sluvin Designs, shared some of their amazing designs with an impromptu fashion show, extending the fun and true engagement of ETA.
WEDNESDAY 29 OCTOBER
The meetings on day 2 and 3 were seamlessly scheduled using the ENGAGE meeting platform, which also offered the flexibility to connect online. This platform has enabled connections to flourish long after the formal event days, fostering ongoing relationships and facilitating new deals. With meetings still happening, connections are continuing to grow and develop, paving the way for lasting partnerships!
So far there have been in excess of 3,238 meetings held, and the door to further meetings remains firmly open as we continue receiving requests from buyers looking to source more and more African products.
After an inspiring second day of high-impact interactions, delegates came together at an exclusive after-party hosted by Natural Elixir at the Blue Waters Hotel. It was truly a relaxed celebration of connections made and opportunities unlocked at ETA.
THURSDAY 30 OCTOBER
One of the standout experiences of ETA, the FMCG Ecosystem Site Tour, a unique and interactive way to further connect and learn. Buses filled with excited buyers, producers, industry delegates and trade associations headed out on a series of site visits, each selected for its role in expanding African FMCG products into global markets.
This year’s tour featured an exciting route, showcasing the strength and sophistication of South Africa’s retail and manufacturing sectors, the stops in the photos taken by the amazing Catalyze team include Dube TradePort, Spar and Home Concept.
ATTENDEE FEEDBACK
“Through targeted engagements with buyers, investors, and development partners, participating businesses are unlocking opportunities for new market access, export growth, and long-term collaboration, positioning the province as a hub for inclusive, sustainable and innovation-led growth. The ECDC’s participation affirms its commitment to driving trade facilitation, enterprise expansion, and investment partnerships that build a globally competitive Eastern Cape.”
Eastern Cape Development Corporation – ECDC (Association, Sponsor, South Africa)
“I met many sellers just needing guidance through what is needed to onboard onto a platform like ours. This gave those who were ready somewhat of immediate approval of their account and products. The only downside was that I didn’t get to meet some of the sellers who couldn’t get space on my schedule, one took a chance while waiting for my next seller and presented their products and they were brilliant. I’d like to do this again, especially because I know what to expect!”
Oreratile Molapo, Takealot.com (Buyer, South Africa)
“Engage Trade Africa 2025 was pure magic! From the energy of the exhibitors to the warmth and professionalism of the organizers, everything came together beautifully. We connected with amazing buyers, discovered new market opportunities, and left feeling inspired and proud to represent Forest Fairies Sweets on such a vibrant African stage.”
Thejes Khan, Forest Fairies Sweet Company (Exporter, SA)
“It was certainly a rewarding experience. Once again, South Africa proved to be a destination for fine products for the African market. This was my first time as a buyer, and it has opened up for me increased opportunities to widen the scope of our work into Africa while seeking to connect other buyers to South Africa’s manufacturers.”
Bolanle Adesugba, White Aura Designs (Buyer, Africa)
“Catalyze’s event expertise ensures these are not random meetings, but highly focused, value driven connections that lead directly to deals. These partnerships make it possible for ordinary South African businesses aspiring for excellence to participate in, and genuinely benefit from, a global, inclusive economy.”
Ashraf Ismail, MDMSA (Association, SA)
“Engage Trade Africa was an exceptional experience that brought together innovation, opportunity, and meaningful connections under one roof. The event was well-organized, offering a perfect platform to network with industry leaders and explore new markets across the continent.”
Gaurav Gohad, T. Choithrams (Buyer, UAE)