CAPE TOWN – More than 140 business leaders, policymakers, investors and entrepreneurs from across Africa and key global markets will converge in Cape Town today and tomorrow for Standard Bank’s Africa Unlocked 2026 conference.
During this conference, discussions will centre on unlocking investment, strengthening regional trade and accelerating sustainable economic growth across the continent.
Held under the theme ‘Built in Africa: Amplifying Continental Growth’, the third edition of the conference comes at a time when African economies are increasingly positioning themselves to capitalise on regional integration, industrialisation and innovation as key drivers of long-term prosperity.
While the discussions are continental in scope, many of the issues on the agenda closely mirror Eswatini’s own economic priorities, including expanding exports, attracting foreign direct investment, supporting manufacturing, improving access to finance for businesses and unlocking opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Hosted by Standard Bank Business and Commercial Banking, Africa Unlocked has grown into one of the continent’s premier thought leadership platforms, bringing together government leaders, development finance institutions, investors, academics and private sector executives to deliberate on practical solutions for Africa’s economic transformation.
This year’s discussions will take place against a backdrop of evolving geopolitical dynamics, changing global supply chains and the continued implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which is expected to reshape trade patterns and create new opportunities for African businesses.
Standard Bank Group Chief Executive Sim Tshabalala said Africa is witnessing encouraging momentum as businesses expand into new markets, while investment continue to support infrastructure development, industrialisation and technological innovation.
“Across the continent, we are seeing businesses expanding into new markets, entrepreneurs scaling with confidence and investment supporting infrastructure, industrialisation and innovation. The next phase of growth will depend on how effectively we build on this momentum through stronger partnerships, greater regional integration and continued investment in Africa’s productive economy,” said Tshabalala.
He noted that Africa’s next chapter of economic growth would require stronger collaboration between governments, financial institutions and the private sector to ensure investment translated into inclusive and sustainable development.
The conference programme reflects many of the continent’s most pressing economic priorities.
One of the headline sessions, Trade without borders – Africa’s new commercial diplomacy, will examine how commercial diplomacy, regional integration and the African Continental Free Trade Area can unlock greater trade and investment opportunities among African countries.
Another key discussion, architecture of African capital – domestic markets to global finance, will focus on mobilising both domestic and international capital to finance critical infrastructure projects, industrial expansion and long-term development.
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Standard Bank Group Chief Executive Sim Tshabalala. (R) Bill Blackie, CE of Business and Commercial Banking at Standard Bank Group. (Courtesy pics)