Lagos is gearing up to host one of the largest events in Africa’s technology ecosystem. On Friday, November 28, 2025, the doors of the Balmoral Convention Center at the Federal Palace, Victoria Island, will open for the 2025 Africa Startup Festival (ASF).
ASF remains one of the most important events to close out the year, bringing together founders, investors, operators, and ecosystem players from across the continent to connect, collaborate, and close deals.
Sponsored by leading brands such as Kora, Cafe One, Spiro, Herconomy, and Platnova, ASF is setting the stage for a day centred on high-value conversations and tangible opportunities.
What to expect
ASF 2025 is expected to attract over 3,000 attendees from more than 15 African countries, with roughly one in three guests occupying C-suite roles.
Alongside its scale, the festival features a strong lineup of more than 30 industry-leading speakers, including founders, VCs, and operators shaping sectors such as fintech, e-commerce, agritech, climate ventures, and more. They will lead keynote sessions, fireside conversations, and sector-focused panels throughout the day.
Speakers on the lineup include:
- Deepankar Rustagi, Founder & CEO, Omniretail Technologies
- Kola Aina, Founding Partner, Ventures Platform Fund
- Ifedayo Durosinmi-Etti, Founder/CEO, Herconomy
- Yanmo Omorogbe, Co-founder & Chief Operating Officer, Bamboo
- Seye Bamidele, CEO & Co-founder, PaidHR
- Ashim Egunjobi, Co-founder & Managing Partner, Octerra Capital
- Babatunde Akin-Moses, CEO, Sycamore
- Yewande Adewusi, COO, Alitheia Capital
- Adesuwa Okunbo Rhodes, Founding Partner & CEO, Aruwa Capital Management
- Nneka Eze, Managing Partner, Vested World
- Bankole Cardoso, Managing Director, Delta40 Venture Studio
For startups seeking visibility or investors scouting for the next unicorn, ASF offers one of the most effective meeting grounds.
The festival will also double as a live exhibition space, showcasing startups that are building some of Africa’s most innovative products. Exhibiting startups include Wrkman, NotchHR, Dropazz, BrandDrive, Casa, Expedier Inc., FigureFlow, Nile Online, and Esca.
More than networking
ASF 2025 offers more than just panels and keynote speeches. On the agenda is a high-stakes pitch event courtesy of Antler.
Twenty founders who hold an ASF Founder ticket will be selected to pitch for a chance to join Antler’s Lagos program. The top 10 founders who pitch will receive exclusive mentorship from the Antler team, $50,000 in resources, and other benefits.
It’s a chance for bold founders to go beyond conversation to build partnerships and secure real support.
Why you cannot miss it
ASF offers a rare concentration of people, opportunities, and ideas in one place.
You should attend if you want to:
- Discover emerging startups building products with real impact across Africa.
- Gain insights from leaders who have built, scaled, or funded some of the continent’s most influential ventures.
- Connect with the right people—from potential investors and business partners to customers and collaborators.
- Join strategic conversations about where Africa’s startup ecosystem is headed and how to navigate the shifts coming in 2026.
- Position yourself or your company among the continent’s key players.
ASF is more than a gathering; it’s where the next wave of African innovation begins to take shape.
