ACFTA FEST is designed as a rotating Pan-African platform. Each year, one African country becomes the epicenter of trade, talent, and transformation — hosting the continent and the world in a three-day celebration of African excellence. Each edition is unique, but all editions leave a shared legacy: job creation, youth empowerment, investor linkages, and cultural memory.
JOURNEY
About the Festival Journey
#Our Model
How the Rotational Model Works
- One Festival. Many Nations.
Each host country gains exclusive branding and development opportunities. - Legacy-First Approach
From startup hubs to football academies, ACFTA FEST leaves behind functional community infrastructure. - Long-Term Calendar
| Year | Host Country | Status |
| 2025 | Nigeria 🇳🇬 (Maiden Edition) | Confirmed ✅ |
| 2026 | TBD 🌍 | Open for Bidding |
| 2027 | TBD 🌍 | Open for Bidding |
#Maiden Edition
ACFTA FEST NIGERIA 2025
Dates: November 2025
Theme: Unity Through Innovation
Location: Lagos, Nigeria (tentative – confirmation pending)
Host Partner: Federal Republic of Nigeria (via designated Ministry or Agency)
Expected Turnout: 10,000+ in-person | 50M+ digital & TV reach
Main Arena: Landmark Centre, Lagos (TBC)
#Nigeria
Why Nigeria?
Nigeria stands as Africa’s largest economy and a creative powerhouse, boasting a booming tech ecosystem—with Lagos often called Africa’s “Silicon Valley.” It is home to global football legends, rich cultural diversity across its regions, and strong connectivity backed by world-class hospitality infrastructure.
Nigeria 2025 Program Snapshot
Startup Flames Arena
- 300+ startup exhibitors
- 50+ live pitch sessions
- Masterclasses on digital trade, funding, and market expansion
- Investor lounges and regional trade showcases
- Nigeria-focused Startup Roundtable with AfCFTA stakeholders
Heritage Waves Dome
- 3-night headline concert series featuring artists from Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Congo, and Kenya
- Visual art installations and NFT gallery
- Lagos Fashion Runway with 20+ designers
- Poetry performances and Pan-African storytelling slams
African Legends United
- The Obasanjo Cup: African Legends vs. Nigerian All-Star Legends
- Youth training clinics for 120 local boys and girls
- Recognition awards for Nwankwo Kanu, Mercy Akide, and Stephen Keshi (posthumous)
Policy forum: “Financing African Football: From Grassroots to Continental League”
#NIGERIA
Why Nigeria?
Nigeria stands as Africa’s largest economy and a creative powerhouse, boasting a booming tech ecosystem with Lagos often called Africa’s “Silicon Valley.” It is home to global football legends, rich cultural diversity across its regions, and strong connectivity backed by world-class hospitality infrastructure.
Nigeria 2025 Program Snapshot
Investor Lounges and Regional Trade Showcases
Connect in exclusive investor lounges designed for deal-making, networking, and strategic partnerships. Explore regional trade showcases highlighting the best products, services, and innovations from across Africa’s diverse markets driving cross-border collaboration and investment.
300+ Startup Exhibitors
Showcasing innovation from across Africa, over 300 startups present groundbreaking solutions, connect with investors, and spark new business opportunities powering the continent’s future economy.
50+ Live Pitch Sessions
Experience over 50 electrifying, high-energy pitch sessions where passionate, visionary entrepreneurs boldly unveil their game-changing ideas. These dynamic presentations happen live and in real-time, offering investors and audiences an exciting, up-close look at Africa’s most promising startups competing fiercely, dreaming big, and innovating fearlessly.
Masterclasses on Leadership, Digital Trade, Funding, and Market Expansion
Gain expert insights through in-depth masterclasses led by industry leaders, covering key topics like digital trade, securing funding, and scaling into new markets. Designed for entrepreneurs and professionals, these sessions equip participants with practical tools and strategies to thrive in Africa’s evolving business landscape.
Nigeria-Focused Startup Roundtable with AfCFTA Stakeholders
A high-level dialogue bringing together Nigerian entrepreneurs, policymakers, and AfCFTA stakeholders to discuss opportunities, challenges, and strategies for scaling startups within the continental free trade framework fostering alignment, innovation, and inclusive growth.
3-Night Headline Concert Series
Experience electrifying performances from top artists across Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Congo, and Kenya in a powerful celebration of African rhythm, unity, and talent three unforgettable nights of music that echo the soul of the continent.
Visual Art Installations and NFT Gallery
Immerse yourself in a vibrant fusion of tradition and technology with captivating visual art installations and a curated NFT gallery showcasing Africa’s creative brilliance, cultural stories, and digital innovation through the eyes of emerging and established artists.
Lagos Fashion Runway with 20+ Designers
Witness the bold spirit of African style as over 20 visionary designers light up the Lagos Fashion Runway blending heritage, innovation, and trendsetting flair in a stunning showcase of the continent’s fashion excellence.
Poetry Performances and Pan-African Storytelling Slams
Experience the power of words as poets and storytellers from across Africa take the stage to share voices of resilience, identity, and unity blending rhythm, language, and lived experience in unforgettable performances that celebrate the soul of the continent.
The Obasanjo Cup: African Legends vs. Nigerian All-Star Legends
A historic showdown on the pitch as African football legends face off against Nigerian All-Star greats in a thrilling exhibition match celebrating sportsmanship, unity, and the enduring legacy of Africa’s football icons.
Youth Training Clinics for 120 Local Boys and Girls
Empowering the next generation through hands-on training clinics, where 120 local boys and girls receive mentorship, skills development, and inspiration from seasoned professionals nurturing talent and building confidence on and off the field.
Recognition Awards for Nwankwo Kanu, Mercy Akide, and Stephen Keshi (Posthumous)
Honoring the legacy of African football greatness, these special awards celebrate Nwankwo Kanu’s global impact, Mercy Akide’s trailblazing achievements in women’s football, and the enduring influence of the late Stephen Keshi icons whose contributions continue to inspire generations.
Policy Forum: “Financing African Football: From Grassroots to Continental League”
A strategic dialogue bringing together policymakers, investors, club owners, and sports stakeholders to explore sustainable financing models for African football examining pathways from grassroots development to the creation of a thriving, competitive continental league.
Featured Experiences
| 🎉 Festival Cultural Parade | Traditional dances, masquerades, and pageants representing Nigeria’s 6 geo-political zones |
| 🍲 Taste of Africa Food Court | Nigerian jollof vs Ghanaian jollof showdown, and a culinary showcase of regional street food |
| 🎙️ AfrexTalks Live | Fireside chat with Africa’s youngest billionaires and most dynamic founders |
| 🎁 Creative & Trade Exhibitions | From bamboo bikes to smart textiles — showcasing Africa’s next big exports |
Institutional Engagements
- Official opening by Government of Nigeria
- Participation of AfCFTA Secretariat, AU Commission, ECOWAS
- MoUs signed between trade bodies & private sector platforms
- Media partnerships with Channels TV, NTA, AfricaNews, Trace, BBC Africa
- Delegations from over 50 countries
CSR & Legacy Projects in Nigeria
- One youth football pitch refurbished in Lagos
- Post-event Startup Incubation Hub sponsored by festival partners
- Artist Residency Fund to support local creatives
- Scholarships for 50 female entrepreneurs
- “AfCFTA in Schools” civic education pilot launched in 5 states
Tickets & Access
- General Admission
- VIP Access + AfrexTalks & Networking Receptions
- Football Gala Match Tickets
- Student Discounts
- Available via Paystack, Flutterwave, Mobile Money
Schedule
[Our Timetable]
At What Time?
Today, what started as a small conference has turned into the unmissable rendez-vous for product people.
9.00 am - 10.00 am
Registration
Join 600 product managers, designers, founders, engineers – and everything in between – to learn, eat, chat and have a great time.
10.00 am - 12.00 am
Coffee Break
It's hard to learn things on an empty stomach. Breakfast, lunch, snacks and unlimited tea and coffee are all part of the ticket price.
12.00 am - 05.00 pm
Conference
It's hard to learn things on an empty stomach. Breakfast, lunch, snacks and unlimited tea and coffee are all part of the ticket price.
9.00 am - 10.00 am
Registration
Join 600 product managers, designers, founders, engineers – and everything in between – to learn, eat, chat and have a great time.
10.00 am - 12.00 am
Coffee Break
It's hard to learn things on an empty stomach. Breakfast, lunch, snacks and unlimited tea and coffee are all part of the ticket price.
12.00 am - 05.00 pm
Conference
It's hard to learn things on an empty stomach. Breakfast, lunch, snacks and unlimited tea and coffee are all part of the ticket price.
9.00 am - 10.00 am
Registration
Join 600 product managers, designers, founders, engineers – and everything in between – to learn, eat, chat and have a great time.
10.00 am - 12.00 am
Coffee Break
It's hard to learn things on an empty stomach. Breakfast, lunch, snacks and unlimited tea and coffee are all part of the ticket price.
12.00 am - 05.00 pm
Conference
It's hard to learn things on an empty stomach. Breakfast, lunch, snacks and unlimited tea and coffee are all part of the ticket price.
Coming SOON
#Branding
Visual Branding
Get ready for the upcoming Nigeria 2025 Brand Identity, featuring a full visual branding suite including merchandise, a poster series, an official jingle, and a media toolkit. The campaign will also come to life through city-wide billboards and interactive social media filters (AR) – all launching soon!
$
299.99
[Main Conference]
2 days
- Access to mobile app
- Access to 1000+ talk
- Access to exhibition floor
- Access attendee database
- Email support
$
399.99
[Conference + Workshops]
3 days
- Access to mobile app
- Access to 1000+ talk
- Access to exhibition floor
- Access attendee database
- Email support
Impact Metrics
Why ACFTA FEST?
We are proud to have been able to accomplish these stats within so little time.
- 1,000+ Startups & Creatives Showcased
- 45+ Countries Represented
- 10,000+ Attendees per Edition
- 100+ Business & Policy Partnerships
- 30+ Awards Given to African Changemakers
- 50M+ Broadcast & Social Media Reach