The second edition of the Africa Trade Conference (ATC 2026) is set for March 11, 2026, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, South Africa. The event will bring together global policymakers, business leaders, financiers, and innovators to advance Africa’s integration into international trade and drive sustainable economic growth.
As reported by Business Insider Africa, ATC 2026 will feature keynote addresses by Kennedy Mbekeani, Director General, Southern Africa Region, African Development Bank (AfDB), and Kwabena Ayirebi, Managing Director, Banking Operations at the African Export-Import Bank. Their keynote will focus on the evolving financing landscape for African trade and strategic pathways to unlock continental prosperity.
Roosevelt Ogbonna, CEO of Access Bank Plc, will deliver the welcome address, highlighting trade transformation, financial inclusion, and regional competitiveness. Insights on “Africa Trade Outlook 2026” will be provided by Tolu Oyekan, Managing Director & Partner at Boston Consulting Group, while Mike Ogbalu, CEO of Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, will discuss building a connected Africa through trade, payments, and digital infrastructure.
The conference will also host a High-Level Ministerial Panel, including Ghana’s Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Botswana’s Tiroeaone Ntsima, and executives from Deutsche Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Discussions will focus on trade policy, investment strategies, and strengthening intra-African commerce.
Ogbonna emphasized the conference’s significance: “Africa is not only participating in global trade, but it is also helping to redefine it. ATC 2026 will catalyze partnerships, unlock opportunities, and accelerate Africa’s integration into global value chains.”
With operations in 24 countries, including 16 in Africa, Access Bank’s reach positions it to facilitate cross-border trade, simplify business processes, and support African enterprises in becoming globally competitive. ATC 2026 promises actionable strategies and policy dialogue to shape the continent’s trade future and strengthen Africa’s role in global commerce.
