Description

The European Commission (EC), through the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP), will host the EU–South Africa Matchmaking Event in Cape Town, South Africa in the context of the Africa Tech Festival from 17 to 19 November 2026.

The event will be jointly organised by the European Commission through the ECCP, in collaboration with the Department of the Small Business Development (DSBD), and Enterprise Europe Network (EEN).

The EU–South Africa Matchmaking Event will bring together cluster organisations and SMEs from the European Union (EU), non-EU countries participating in the Single Market Programme/COSME Strand, and South Africa. It will provide participants an excellent chance to promote Cluster to Cluster (C2C), Cluster to Business (C2B), and Business to Business (B2B) collaborations.

Africa Tech Festival is one of Africa’s leading technology and innovation events. In 2025, the event welcomed more than 350 exhibitors, 13 500 visitors and 250 distinguished speakers. The event brings together technology companies, industry leaders, research organisations, policymakers and innovation stakeholders from across Africa and internationally. Participation will provide European cluster organisations and SMEs with opportunities to engage with South Africa’s innovation ecosystem, identify potential partners and establish new business and collaboration opportunities.

Objectives

• Strengthening EU-South Africa cluster cooperation for the benefit of their members, including a seminar, a cluster matchmaking event, and site visits.
• Identifying potential areas of common interest for cooperation and synergies, in terms of the sectoral, value chain, and market focus of their SMEs and other companies.
• Improving, through clusters, the EU-South Africa industry and academia-industry collaboration in research, development, and innovation. For their members, the clusters will identify possible areas of RDI collaboration (academia, research organisations, industries…).

Agenda and Activities

The EU – South Africa Matchmaking Event will include the following activities:

• Preparatory Webinar – an opportunity to receive information on undertaking business with South Africa and guidance on how to participate successfully in the planned event. (date tbc)
• Technical Webinar – a session helping future participants of the matchmaking event to make the most of their profiling in the B2Match tool and explain the procedures to optimise the booking of meetings. (date tbc)
• Seminar on knowledge exchange to foster EU-South Africa cooperation. (17 November 2026 (tbc))
• Pitching and Matchmaking meetings between cluster organisations and SMEs from EU countries (and non-EU countries participating in SMP/COSME Strand) and South Africa. (17 November 2026 (tbc)).
• Participation at the Africa Tech Festival – (18 November 2026 (tbc)) 
• Curated stand visits & guided tour to key exhibitors, ensuring targeted networking based on the participants’ sectoral interests. (18 November 2026 (tbc))
• Debriefing session to collect feedback and testimonials from cluster participants. (18 November 2026 (tbc))
• Site visits (19 November 2026 (tbc)) 

Focus areas

• Digital technologies (including AI and gaming); 
• Green energy and clean technologies; 
• Textile and clothing; 
• Transport (including maritime, green mobility and EVs). 

Key Details

• Organiser: European Commission via ECCP, with DSBD and EEN
• Location: Cape Town, South Africa (co-located with Africa Tech Festival)
• Geographic scope: EU member states, non-EU SMP/COSME Strand countries, and South Africa
• Eligible applicants: Cluster organisations and SMEs from eligible countries
• Format: Seminar, pitching/matchmaking meetings, exhibition participation, site visits
• Event dates: 17–19 November 2026

Eligibility
Open to cluster organisations and SMEs from:

• EU member states
• Non-EU countries participating in the SMP/COSME Strand
• South Africa

Timeline

Call for Expression of Interest

This Call for Expression of Interest is targeting cluster organisations and small and medium-sized enterprises from EU countries (and non-EU countries participating in the Single Market Programme (SMP)/COSME Strand)  who wish to participate.

Expressions of interest to participate in this event must be submitted electronically via EUSurvey by 15 July 2026, 23:59 Brussels time.