The AJABU Cocktail & Spirits Festival returns to Johannesburg and Cape Town this March with its most expansive edition yet. Since launching in 2024, AJABU has grown into a key gathering for Africa’s hospitality community, pairing leading international bartenders with African talent to create cocktails that celebrate indigenous ingredients, regional spirits and the continent’s rich bar culture. Co-founded by Colin Asare Appiah and Mark Talbot Holmes, the festival continues to build global connections while investing in education, mentorship and skills development across the trade.

This year’s programme features pop ups, tasting tables and workshops at venues including Sin+Tax and the Cape Town International Convention Centre precinct, alongside collaborations with acclaimed bars from New York, Mexico City, Nairobi and Accra. Through its AJABU Scholarship Programme, the event continues to open doors for emerging African bartenders, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing the next generation of hospitality leaders. Collin joins us

The AJABU Cocktail &amp; Spirits Festival returns to Johannesburg and Cape Town this March with its most expansive edition yet. Since launching in 2024, AJABU has grown into a key gathering for Africa&rsquo;s hospitality community, pairing leading international bartenders with African talent to create cocktails that celebrate indigenous ingredients, regional spirits and the continent&rsquo;s rich bar culture. Co-founded by Colin Asare Appiah and Mark Talbot Holmes, the festival continues to build global connections while investing in education, mentorship and skills development across the trade.
This year&rsquo;s programme features pop ups, tasting tables and workshops at venues including Sin+Tax and the Cape Town International Convention Centre precinct, alongside collaborations with acclaimed bars from New York, Mexico City, Nairobi and Accra. Through its AJABU Scholarship Programme, the event continues to open doors for emerging African bartenders, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing the next generation of hospitality leaders. Collin joins us

Serious and topical issues on continent, breaking stories.

Serious and topical issues on continent, breaking stories.