Support local at the Durban Business Fair
Do you own a small business? The 28th Durban Business Fair gives SMMEs the opportunity to introduce their products and services to potential clients and investors.
The countdown to eThekwini Municipality's annual Durban Business Fair (DBF) has already begun, with scores of businesses already showing interest in the event.
Local entrepreneurs and business owners will descend on the Durban Exhibition Centre to network and, more importantly, introduce their services to potential investors.
The theme for the 2026 event is '28 Years of Connecting SMMEs to Markets and Opportunities'. Over 50 businesses signed up for the exhibition within a week of registration opening.
"The Durban Business Fair is the Municipality’s flagship economic empowerment programme, designed to support small, medium, and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) by providing a platform to showcase products and services, access new markets, and build valuable business networks," the municipality said in a statement.
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"In addition to the exhibition, the fair will feature a series of empowerment sessions focusing on innovation, access to funding, and connecting businesses to international markets."
The DBF began in 1998 as an arts and crafts exhibition and has since become a highlight on the calendars of local entrepreneurs, with over 40, 000 businesses taking part over the years.
"The initiative has helped create more than 21 000 sustainable jobs, thanks to an investment of over R400 million over the past 28 years to support small businesses through this platform,” the city's Thembo Ntuli said.
Businesses interested in participating in the exhibition can download the registration forms from the city's website. Registration closes on April 17.
The DBF will take place from 30 April to 2 May 2026. The fair is not just for potential clients and investors.
Members of the public can also attend to shop local and learn more about local businesses.
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