Standard Bank Africa Unlocked 2026 To Bring Business Leaders Together

More than 140 business leaders, policymakers, investors and entrepreneurs from across Africa and major international markets will gather in Cape Town on 9 and 10 July for Standard Bank’s Africa Unlocked 2026 conference, as the continent seeks to accelerate trade, attract investment and strengthen long-term economic growth.

Hosted by Standard Bank’s Business and Commercial Banking division under the theme “Built in Africa: Amplifying Continental Growth,” the third edition of the conference will examine how African businesses, capital and innovation can play a greater role in shaping the continent’s economic future.

The discussions come at a time when Africa is navigating shifting geopolitical alliances, changing global supply chains and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), developments that are reshaping how governments and businesses approach regional integration, industrialisation and investment.

According to Sim Tshabalala, Chief Executive of Standard Bank Group, Africa’s next phase of growth will depend on building stronger partnerships and deepening regional collaboration.

“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,” Tshabalala said.

Since its launch in 2024, Africa Unlocked has grown into one of Standard Bank’s flagship thought leadership platforms, bringing together leaders from business, government, development finance institutions and academia to explore practical solutions for Africa’s economic development. This year’s programme places particular emphasis on translating discussions into action by strengthening trade, mobilising investment, supporting entrepreneurship and building globally competitive African enterprises.

Among the themes on the agenda are the future of commercial diplomacy under the African Continental Free Trade Area, financing infrastructure and industrialisation through domestic and international capital, and balancing energy security with climate resilience. Delegates will also examine the practical deployment of artificial intelligence across African industries, the scaling of mid-sized businesses into continental champions, wealth creation and succession planning, and Africa’s economic outlook amid a changing geopolitical environment.

Technology will feature prominently through discussions on how AI can improve productivity, innovation and competitiveness across sectors, reflecting the growing role digital technologies are playing in Africa’s economic transformation.

According to Bill Blackie, Chief Executive of Business and Commercial Banking at Standard Bank Group, the conference has evolved into a platform focused on practical solutions rather than abstract discussions.

“Africa’s growth story is increasingly being written by businesses that are scaling across borders, attracting investment and embracing innovation. Africa Unlocked is about discussing Africa’s future by bringing together decision-makers who can unlock investment, enable trade and build the partnerships required to turn opportunity into measurable economic growth,” he said.

The conference also reinforces Standard Bank’s strategy of positioning itself as a catalyst for Africa’s development by connecting businesses to capital, facilitating cross-border trade, financing infrastructure and supporting companies as they expand across the continent.

The speaker line-up reflects that ambition, bringing together senior executives from finance, technology, development finance institutions and industry. Participants include Sim Tshabalala, Chief Executive of Standard Bank Group; Bill Blackie, Chief Executive of Business and Commercial Banking at Standard Bank Group; David Hodnett, Chief Executive of Standard Bank South Africa; Goolam Ballim, Chief Economist at Standard Bank Group; and Trudi Makhaya, Head of Geopolitics at Standard Bank Group.

They will be joined by Francis Karuhanga, Chief Executive of Stanbic Uganda Holdings; Mohammed Dewji, Chief Executive Officer of MeTL Group; Wandile Sihlobo, Chief Economist at Agbiz; Mmakgoshi Lekhethe, Chief Executive Officer of the Industrial Development Corporation; as well as senior leaders from the African Development Bank, Africa Finance Corporation, British International Investment, Botswana Stock Exchange, Microsoft Africa Development Centre and other organisations spanning business, finance, technology and public policy.

As Africa seeks to increase intra-continental trade, strengthen regional value chains and attract long-term investment, Africa Unlocked 2026 is expected to provide a platform for shaping many of the conversations that will influence the continent’s next phase of econom