Why Cape Town?

As one of Africa’s most vibrant and forward-looking cities, Cape Town stands at the forefront of the continent’s entrepreneurial revolution. Its growing influence as a startup powerhouse makes it the ideal host city for GEC+Africa 2026.

South Africa has made significant strides in addressing structural economic challenges, paving the way for a new generation of innovative and resilient entrepreneurs. This momentum is especially visible in Cape Town, which has emerged as a dynamic hub for innovation, investment, and global collaboration.

According to the Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2024 (GSER 2024), Cape Town is ranked among the Top 100 Emerging Ecosystems globally, reflecting its thriving startup culture and robust talent pipeline. The city holds the third-highest ecosystem value in Sub-Saharan Africa, estimated at $3 billion, with Johannesburg following closely.

Cape Town is also home to nearly 60% of South Africa’s startups, and it consistently ranks first in the country for economic potential, business friendliness, and startup activity (2023 Global Startup Index). These strengths, combined with world-class infrastructure and a growing network of accelerators, incubators, and investors, make it a magnet for entrepreneurs from across the continent and beyond.

As the host city for GEC+Africa 2026, Cape Town offers more than just a stunning location it provides a strategic platform for thought leaders, changemakers, and stakeholders to shape the future of African entrepreneurship.