For Immediate Release
Cape Town, South Africa, 14 September 2026
With just two days to go, anticipation is building ahead of GEC+Africa 2026, as Cape Town prepares to welcome entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, corporates and ecosystem leaders from across Africa and beyond to the Global Entrepreneurship Congress Africa (GEC+Africa) 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 16 to 17 September 2026.
Held under the theme “Connecting Africa”, the congress is expected to welcome approximately 2,000 delegates from across the continent and around the world for two days of dialogue, collaboration and action focused on advancing entrepreneurship, innovation and economic growth across Africa.
Hosted by the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) Africa and 22 On Sloane, GEC+Africa is Africa’s largest entrepreneurship gathering, bringing together the people shaping the continent’s entrepreneurship ecosystem to connect, exchange ideas, build partnerships and explore opportunities across borders.
The congress programme will explore key issues shaping Africa’s economic future, including entrepreneurship-led growth, digital transformation, innovation, market access, investment readiness, small business development and cross-border collaboration. Delegates will engage through keynote addresses, fireside conversations, panel discussions, masterclasses, exhibitions, startup showcases, investor engagements and networking opportunities.
The programme will feature a distinguished line-up of speakers and leaders, including Western Cape Acting Premier and Provincial Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Alfred Simmers; Minister of Small Business Development Stella Tembisa Ndabeni; Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi; and former President of South Africa H.E. Kgalema Motlanthe, among others.
Commenting on the significance of the congress, Carmen Rudd, Executive: Operations and GEC+Africa Lead at 22 On Sloane, said:
“GEC+Africa is about bringing the continent into one room to have the conversations that matter, create meaningful connections and build opportunities that extend beyond the congress itself. As we approach the 2026 edition, we are looking forward to welcoming entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and ecosystem leaders to Cape Town for two days focused on connecting Africa and strengthening the entrepreneurship ecosystem.”
As Platinum Partner, African Bank is supporting GEC+Africa 2026 as entrepreneurs, investors, businesses and policymakers come together around the role of entrepreneurship in driving inclusive economic growth.
“Africa’s entrepreneurs are already building the businesses that will create jobs, open markets and shape the continent’s next phase of growth. African Bank’s role is to help more of those businesses move from potential to scale by widening access to finance, markets and the support that growth demands. GEC+Africa brings entrepreneurs, capital, business and policymakers together around that shared task, and that is why this partnership matters to us,” says Edna Sathekga-Montse, Group Chief Transformation and Sustainability Officer at African Bank.
A key highlight of the congress will be the culmination of the Road to GEC+Africa Regional Bootcamp and Pitch Competitions, which have taken place across Botswana, Uganda, Namibia, Algeria, Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa. The competitions have brought forward promising entrepreneurs from across the continent, with the Top 15 finalists now set to take the stage at GEC+Africa 2026 in Cape Town to pitch their businesses on the global stage.
The continental pitch competition will give the finalists an opportunity to showcase their businesses, engage with investors and ecosystem leaders, and gain exposure to a wider network of potential partners and markets.
With three days remaining until the congress, Cape Town is preparing to become a meeting point for Africa’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. From 16–17 September 2026, GEC+Africa will bring together approximately 2,000 delegates at the CTICC under the theme “Connecting Africa”, creating space for the conversations, connections and opportunities that can help shape the continent’s next phase of entrepreneurship and economic growth.
GEC+Africa 2026 is powered by African Bank, in partnership with Microsoft, Amazon, Telkom, Masisizane, UNDP, W&RSETA, FirstRand, Wesgro, the Western Cape Government, SEDFA and the City of Cape Town, with GEN Africa and 22 On Sloane as hosts.
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT
GEC+Africa Media Team
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ABOUT GEC+AFRICA
GEC+Africa is Africa’s largest pan-African gathering dedicated to advancing entrepreneurship. The congress brings together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, corporates and ecosystem enablers to connect, exchange ideas, build partnerships and explore opportunities that can contribute to sustainable economic growth across the continent.
ABOUT AFRICAN BANK
African Bank is a proudly South African financial institution focused on building a sustainable and inclusive financial services ecosystem. Through its commitment to supporting individuals, businesses and communities, the bank seeks to contribute to economic participation and growth across South Africa.
