Structuring, unifying and promoting the franchise model across the continent — contributing 30 to 40% to the GDP of mature African economies.
Harmonising regulatory frameworks and carrying the institutional voice of African franchising before continental bodies (AU, AfCFTA).
Deploying Franchise Ambassadors to structure emerging markets and federate national associations across the continent.
Connecting African brands with investors and banks, while professionalising the sector through certified training.
The African Franchise Association (AFA) is the premier pan-African institutional federation dedicated to structuring, unifying, and elevating the franchise business model across all 54 African nations. Headquartered at its Executive Secretariat in Lagos, Nigeria, and supported by strategic regional hubs in Johannesburg, Dakar, and Cairo, AFA serves as the central steering body for national franchise associations, indigenous brand owners, master franchisees, corporate investors, and trade advisors. We bring together key actors from across the continent to build a cohesive, ethical, and high-impact commercial ecosystem.
To encourage and promote the franchise business model across Africa and become the leading catalyst for ethical, sustainable and cross-border excellence in franchising across the continent.
a. To structure, unify, incubate and promote the emergence of national franchise associations in the majority of African countries -- federating a pan-African network of national associations, experts and partners for the benefit of all franchisors and franchisees, and transforming franchising from an informal survival model into a major industrial driver contributing 30 to 40% of the GDP of mature African economies.
b. Harmonise regulatory frameworks, strengthen professional skills and provide an integrated networking platform empowering franchisors and franchisees through structured associations, to promote sustainable economic integration, entrepreneurship and wealth creation across the continent.
"Federal in form, inclusive in substance."
National associations guarantee regional legitimacy and sustainability; experts, franchisors, franchisees and partners ensure operational richness and full representation of the ecosystem.
specialised committees drive the AFA's day-to-day action, from Ethics & Mediation to Women & Youth Entrepreneurship.
In line with the AFA's hybrid governance model, the Presidency is held by a representative of a national member association, while the Permanent General Secretariat provides operational and financial continuity.
Also Chief Executive Officer of the Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA).
President of the Association Sénégalaise de la Franchise, and driving force behind the Franchise Expo Dakar.
Known as the Prime Franchise Ecosystem Builder in Africa, President of ACR Global and CEO Drawing Board. Certified AfCFTA Trade Advisor and Member of several Pan African and Economic Groups. She has over 12 years of experience in Business/ Franchise Structuring, HR, Capacity Building and Brand Communications. She holds a thriving networks accross 5 continents and through her systems has placed over 15000 people in jobs.
Franchise-law jurist and consultant based in Abidjan, speaker and publisher on franchising in French-speaking West Africa. Editorial Director of Africa Franchise Forum Magazine, President of the AFCAD Foundation, and Ambassador for Africa at INSF.
Certified Franchise Consultant specialised in franchise development and strategy, investor empowerment and career transition, and F&B concept creation for African startups.
Sovereign body -- one seat, one vote per full national member association; honorary members participate with a consultative voice. Meets once a year.
Balanced representation: 60% national associations, 40% experts & partners. Members serve a three-year term, renewable once.
President, one or two Vice-Presidents, and the General Secretariat sitting in an advisory capacity. Meets at least once a quarter.
Headed by the Director General, assisted by the Deputy Director General and the Treasurer -- day-to-day management and technical representation.
Manages the "Franchise Ambassadors" programme, field missions to unstructured countries, and certification of associations in formation.
Coordinates contractual harmonisation and alignment with regional and continental legal frameworks applicable to franchising.
Oversees the Pan-African Code of Ethics, internal mediation mechanisms and professional-conduct standards.
Directs membership development campaigns and structures member benefits.
Leads the professionalisation of stakeholders through continental training and capacity-building programmes.
Connects members with banks, investment funds and multilateral financial institutions, in liaison with the Treasurer.
Manages the sector's data observatory, collects market statistics and produces economic studies.
Coordinates the Association's visibility, forums, award ceremonies, digital platforms and exhibitions.
Builds structural alliances with franchise federations and ecosystems worldwide.
Promotes access for women and young entrepreneurs to the franchise model.
Five pillars of support for every member, at every stage of growth.
Specialist training, operational advisory, workshops and regional trade fairs to power your expansion.
A mutual network of technical expertise and continental institutional support.
Financial resources, strategic partnerships and brand promotion in service of the federation.
Technical and financial support for the creation of national associations in under-represented areas.
Direct connection between African brand owners and institutional investors.
Individuals and legal entities who took part in the Constituent General Assembly -- a non-renewable founding term with a right to sit on the Board without election, a temporary casting vote during the first three General Assemblies, and a right of initiative on statutory revisions during the first five years.
Legally constituted national associations adhering to the Pan-African Code of Ethics. Only one national association per country is recognised as a full member, each holding one seat and one vote at the General Assembly regardless of its own membership size.
Experts, consultants, service providers, ecosystem suppliers and institutional partners active in franchising or associated commerce, with guaranteed representation on the Board of Directors.
Admission depends on the situation of the national association in the member's country of origin; participation in the General Assembly is consultative, with advisory input to relevant Committees.
Individuals or institutions that have rendered distinguished service to the cause of franchising and associated commerce in Africa, admitted on recommendation of the Board of Directors.
Admission is simple and fully online.
The AFA serves the entire franchise and associated-commerce ecosystem in Africa: national franchise associations, franchisors and franchisees, experts, suppliers and institutional partners, investors and development-finance institutions, policymakers and regulators, and the entrepreneurs -- including women and young entrepreneurs -- who will build tomorrow's African brands.
The AFA represents the collective interests of the African franchise sector before community and continental institutions, as the sector's institutional voice to:
Beyond the continent, the AFA builds structural alliances with franchise federations and ecosystems worldwide, connecting members with:
The Permanent General Secretariat ensures the technical and administrative representation of the AFA to institutional partners, regional economic communities, the African Union, the AfCFTA and international sector organisations. Our partners -- to be discovered.
Where a country has no formal association, the AFA grants "National Association in Formation" status -- consultative participation, institutional support for 24 months, and Country Delegates or Ambassadors deployed by the Continental Expansion and Incubation Committee.
Led by the Legal and Regulatory Affairs Committee, harmonising contractual and legal frameworks and driving cross-border franchise trade in partnership with the AfCFTA.
Led by the Investment Financing and Facilitation Committee, in liaison with the Treasurer -- a direct link with development banks, investment funds and Development Finance Institutions.
Led by the Training and Certification Committee -- advisory, training, mentoring and capacity-building programmes, plus the certification process for associations in formation.
A continental knowledge hub -- market data, economic studies, publications, training resources and funding pathways, steered by the Observatory and Research Committee.
Market data by country and sector; economic studies and analyses of franchise trends and investment opportunities.
AFA annual activity reports, practical guides and thematic notes, including special editions on franchise financing in Africa.
Workshops, seminars and continental certification programmes supported by the Training and Certification Committee.
Directory of financial partners and support for funding applications, backed by the Investment Financing and Facilitation Committee.
The AFA's continental calendar brings together exhibitions, statutory meetings, capacity-building activities and networking opportunities for the whole franchise ecosystem, coordinated by the Communication, Media and Events Committee.
Explore news & eventsRegional exhibitions and trade-fair frameworks, awards and distinctions, and a photo and video gallery of past editions -- within a unified calendar of franchise-related events across the continent.
Secure access to the exclusive directory, meeting minutes, financial reports and B2B networking tools.
Access reserved for members in good standing, as defined in the AFA's Internal Regulations.
Member LoginYour contribution funds ambassador missions, training programmes and the incubation of new national associations across the continent.
Make a DonationGeneral enquiries, structuring countries, or an ethics report — reach the Permanent General Secretariat.
The Association's administrative and executive body — day-to-day management, member registry and institutional representation.
Executive Secretariat: Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria
Regional Hubs: Johannesburg, South Africa • Cairo, Egypt • Dakar, Senegal
Connect with the AFA on social media and WhatsApp.
The AFA's working languages are French, English and Portuguese. In the event of any discrepancy in interpretation between language versions of official documents, the French version prevails as the original reference version.
Explore upcoming general assemblies, continental expos, governance meetings, publications, and capacity-building masterclasses scheduled across the region — from July through November 2026.
| Date / Period | Event & Project | Primary Focus & Strategic Alignment |
|---|---|---|
| JULY 2026 | ||
| July 21, 2026 | Bi-weekly Board Meeting | Internal administrative review & governance. |
| AUGUST 2026 | ||
| August 4, 18, 2026 | Bi-weekly Board Meetings (Tuesdays) | Preparation of framework standards and West Africa regional roundtables. |
| August 14, 2026 | Inaugural General Assembly & Program Launch FEATURED EVENT | Official program launch and launch of the 2-stage Fundraising Campaign. |
| August 31, 2026 | Official Monthly Association Meeting | Recruitment outreach to Tier 1 member brands. |
| SEPTEMBER 2026 | ||
| September 1, 15, 29, 2026 | Bi-weekly Board Meetings (Tuesdays) | Overseeing launch logistics and pilot country communications. |
| September 7 – 8, 2026 | Libya Franchise Expo CONTINENTAL EXPO | Continental Launch event kickoff in partnership with F&B Pillars. |
| September 14, 2026 | Publish AFA Paper: Issue 1 PUBLICATION | Ecosystem standardization, industry metrics, and safe investing parameters. |
| September 30, 2026 | Official Monthly Association Meeting | Review of Libya Franchise Expo outcomes & partner alignment. |
| OCTOBER 2026 | ||
| October 1, 2026 | Franchise Association Resource Station Project (Phase I Launch) KEY PROJECT | Resuscitation project kickoff to provide resources and operational structures for regional hubs. |
| Oct 5 – Nov 13, 2026 | AFA Capacity Building Session 1 (6-Week Cycle) MASTERCLASS | Open-access regional masterclasses focused on structural standards for franchise builders. |
| October 13, 27, 2026 | Bi-weekly Board Meetings (Tuesdays) | Monitoring resource station progress and WFC policy alignment updates. |
| October 12, 2026 | Publish AFA Paper: Issue 2 PUBLICATION | Standardized expansion legal blueprints & safety safeguards. |
| October 23, 2026 | National Franchise Exhibition & WFC Autumn Meeting (London, UK) GLOBAL SUMMIT | Global Policy Alignment & active participation in World Franchise Council delegation. |
| October 31, 2026 | Official Monthly Association Meeting | Second Resuscitation Project timeline tracking and member evaluation. |
| NOVEMBER 2026 | ||
| November 10, 24, 2026 | Bi-weekly Board Meetings (Tuesdays) | Preparations for Dakar Continental Awards and coordination of new chapter integrations. |
| November 9, 2026 | Publish AFA Paper: Issue 3 PUBLICATION | Ecosystem integration frameworks under AfCFTA guidelines. |
| November 12 – 14, 2026 | Dakar Expo & Continental Franchise Awards (Senegal) FLAGSHIP EVENT | Core Continental flagship event to recognize high-impact franchise actors and align with Dakar ecosystem leaders. |
| November 30, 2026 | Official Monthly Association Meeting | End-of-year DFI partnership prep and review of West African award metrics. |
African Franchise Association • www.africanfranchise.org
