By: Lonwabo Mtyeku | Photo Credit: Supplied
Seen Here: Alderman Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, Executive Mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni
EKURHULENI, GAUTENG — 19 February 2026
Collaboration — not competition — will determine how effectively franchising drives South Africa’s next wave of job creation and inclusive growth.
That was the resounding message at the Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA) National Conference & Expo 2026, hosted at the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre in the City of Ekurhuleni.
Held under the theme “Building the South African Economy Through Franchising,” the conference convened franchisors, franchisees, funders, SETAs, policymakers, SMMEs and aspiring entrepreneurs to interrogate the sector’s role in expanding economic participation and supporting sustainable enterprise development.
Seen Here: FASA CEO Freddy Makgato
Franchising as a Structured Growth Engine
FASA CEO Freddy Makgatho positioned franchising as a proven vehicle for structured business growth — particularly when supported by coordinated policy, funding and skills development frameworks.
“FASA will continue to work with government, financial institutions, SETAs and business bodies to strengthen the environment for franchise development,” Makgatho said. “Our goal is to ensure that more entrepreneurs, including youth, women and township businesses, can access and succeed in the sector.”
The accompanying Franchise Expo provided practical engagement opportunities, with exhibitors showcasing franchise concepts, operational models and investment requirements to prospective franchisees and investors.
Public–Private Partnerships in Focus
Delivering the keynote address, Alderman Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, Executive Mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni, emphasised the municipality’s commitment to enabling enterprise growth through regulatory efficiency and infrastructure support.
“Sustainable growth requires strong partnerships between the public and private sectors,” he said. “We are committed to creating an environment where businesses flourish.”
The message underscored a central theme of the conference: franchising does not operate in isolation — it thrives within a supportive ecosystem.
Seen Here: Sharing their journeys in the franchising sector: Ricky Walton, Founder of SheerGuard SA, Lindiwe Shibambo, Founder and Managing Director of Maid4U and John Nicolakakis, CEO of Roman’s Pizza.
Ecosystem Support: Funding, Skills and Access
A high-level panel discussion on ecosystem support unpacked the practical mechanisms required to lower barriers to entry for new entrepreneurs.
Participants included representatives from the City of Ekurhuleni, SEDFA, Absa Business Banking, Services SETA and FASA leadership. Discussions centred on:
- Structured funding pathways for franchise acquisition
- Skills development pipelines aligned to sector needs
- Coordinated support between funders, regulators and industry bodies
- Reducing red tape for SMMEs
The consensus: alignment between capital, training and mentorship is critical to accelerating franchise-led growth.
Inclusive Growth and Township Enterprise
A dedicated panel addressed inclusive growth, spotlighting pathways for women, youth and township-based entrepreneurs.
Business leaders and advocacy representatives explored persistent barriers, including limited access to finance, information asymmetry and inadequate mentorship structures. Participants also examined which franchise sectors are best suited to township economies and community-based markets.
The discussion reflected a growing recognition that franchising can formalise informal economies, improve compliance standards and create replicable employment opportunities — provided entry thresholds are made more accessible.
Seen Here: The event was well supported by all industry stakeholders
Innovation, AI and Future-Readiness
The afternoon programme shifted focus to innovation and scalability.
Franchise success stories illustrated how strong operational systems, brand consistency and disciplined expansion strategies underpin sustainable growth. Speakers from established franchise brands shared lessons in scaling without diluting quality or governance.
Technology and artificial intelligence also featured prominently. Brian Mahlangu of Absa addressed digital commercialisation in franchising, while Nedbank Chief Economist Nicky Weimar offered macroeconomic insights to guide expansion strategies in a constrained but evolving economic environment.
A future-proofing panel examined the intersection of AI integration, human capital development and regulatory integrity — highlighting the need for trust and transparency within franchise networks.
Momentum for 2027
Sponsors including the City of Ekurhuleni, Absa, Nedbank, SEDFA, the Wholesale and Retail SETA, and Services SETA were acknowledged for reinforcing the event’s core message: franchising’s growth trajectory depends on cross-sector collaboration.
Reflecting on the conference’s impact, Makgatho described the 2026 gathering as evidence of renewed sector confidence.
“The appetite for franchising in South Africa is stronger than ever,” he said. “The energy and commitment shown confirm that we are on the right path toward meaningful economic transformation.”
As South Africa grapples with persistent unemployment and the need for scalable enterprise models, the message from FASA’s 2026 Conference is clear: franchising can be a catalyst for inclusive growth — but only if government, financiers and industry players move in coordinated formation.
