FASA Confex 2027 expands to two days with African focus

The Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA) has launched an expanded Annual Conference and Expo for 2027, extending the gathering from one day to two and placing greater emphasis on African collaboration. Confex will take place at Emperors Palace in Boksburg on 24 and 25 February 2027, with a new public-access arrangement for its exhibition.

Two days for learning and business meetings

Held under the theme Implementing Franchising Today, the event will bring together franchisors, franchisees, investors, suppliers, policymakers and aspiring entrepreneurs. Its programme is intended to support business ownership, skills development, networking and investment opportunities within the franchising community.

According to FASA, the move to a two-day format follows feedback from delegates and sponsors who wanted more time for learning, networking and business engagement. The expanded schedule will include keynote presentations, panel discussions, breakaway sessions, exhibitions and business meetings.

The change responds to a practical consideration for an event serving several different audiences. Existing franchise owners, prospective applicants and suppliers do not necessarily attend with the same objectives. A programme combining presentations with smaller sessions and meetings offers different ways to take part, rather than making the exhibition the only point of contact.

For prospective attendees, the useful planning question is therefore not simply whether to attend, but what they want to achieve. Learning about ownership, discussing an existing network’s needs and exploring a supplier relationship each call for a different set of conversations.

African collaboration moves up the agenda

A central feature of Confex 2027 is its stronger African focus. FASA recently became a member of the Africa Franchise Association, a continental body bringing together national franchise associations and franchising experts. Eight franchise associations have already joined the network.

FASA says the expanded event aims to strengthen connections both within South Africa’s franchising community and across the continent. Collaboration and business opportunities elsewhere in Africa are part of that ambition, alongside the conference’s domestic focus.

The continental membership provides context for the event’s broader direction. It places the South African gathering within a network of associations, rather than treating cross-border engagement solely as a conversation between individual brands and potential investors.

For South African franchisors considering wider African opportunities, that emphasis is worth noting when setting conference priorities. Attendees should distinguish between making useful initial contacts and establishing whether a particular expansion opportunity is suitable. A conference conversation can be a starting point for further investigation, not a substitute for assessing the market, operating requirements and potential partners.

Exhibition opens beyond conference delegates

For the first time, the exhibition will be open to members of the public without requiring conference registration. FASA says this will allow aspiring entrepreneurs to engage directly with franchise brands and learn more about business ownership.

This is a distinct change from extending the conference itself. It creates a route into the exhibition for people who are exploring franchising but are not registered conference delegates. The announcement concerns access without conference registration; it should not be read as a statement that every part of Confex is open to the public.

For prospective franchisees, direct discussions with brands can help turn general interest into more specific questions. Visitors could use those conversations to ask about application processes, owner involvement, training and the support available after opening.

Those questions should be treated as preparation for further checks, rather than a reason to commit immediately. Comparing opportunities on a consistent basis is more useful than leaving with promotional material alone.

Awards return alongside the expanded programme

Confex 2027 will also see the return of the FASA Awards, recognising excellence within South Africa’s franchising community. Their inclusion adds recognition of franchise achievement to a programme centred on learning, business engagement and wider connections.

Together, the longer schedule, continental emphasis and public exhibition access give the event several entry points: established operators can pursue business discussions, while aspiring owners can begin exploring franchise opportunities directly.

Practical takeaway: Reserve 24 and 25 February 2027 if Confex fits your plans. Before attending, identify the people you want to meet and prepare specific questions. Public exhibition visitors should distinguish exhibition access from conference participation when arranging their visit.