The second edition of the African Trade Conference will be held at the Cape Town International Conference Centre on March 11, 2026.
Image: AI Ron
The Africa Trade Conference (ATC) to be held in Cape Town on Wednesday convenes global policymakers, business leaders, and innovators, all with the aim of accelerating Africa’s integration into global trade.
The second edition of the ATC will feature voices from across finance, government, development institutions, and the private sector, who will share insights on unlocking trade opportunities, strengthening intra-African commerce, enabling business expansion, and positioning African enterprises for global competitiveness.
“Africa will not be a spectator in the remaking of global trade. We will be one of its architects. ATC 2026 is where those blueprints will be drawn. The calibre of speakers confirmed for this year’s conference underscores the urgency and opportunity before us. Africa is not only participating in global trade, it is helping to redefine it,” said Access Bank CEO Roosevelt Ogbonna.
A focus on intra-African trade is critical because it strengthens regional integration, reduces dependence on external markets, and unlocks Africa’s vast internal demand and resources. With the still young African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the continent is building one of the largest free trade zones in the world, aiming to boost industrialisation, job creation, and resilience against global shocks.
The maiden edition of the ATC convened senior decision-makers from 28 countries. The 2026 conference will have the keynote address delivered by African Development Bank (AfDB) Southern Africa Region director general Kennedy Mbekeani, alongside African Export-Import Bank Banking Operations MD Kwabena Ayirebi. Their joint keynote will address the evolving financing landscape for African trade and the strategic pathways for unlocking continental prosperity.
The welcome address will be delivered by Ogbonna, who will set the tone for discussions centred on trade transformation, financial inclusion, and regional competitiveness, while Boston Consulting Group MD and Partner Tolu Oyekan will deliver insights on “Africa Trade Outlook 2026”, examining emerging macroeconomic trends, supply chain shifts, and growth opportunities across key sectors.
Pan-African Payment and Settlement System CEO Mike Ogbalu will engage conference participants on “Building a Connected Africa Through Trade, Payments & Technology”, focusing on how payment interoperability and digital infrastructure can accelerate the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agenda.
A high-level panel will feature Ghana Minister for Trade, Agribusiness & Industry Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Botswana Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship Tiroeaone Ntsima, Oddo-BHF International & Corporate Banking divisional head Florian Witt, International Finance Corporation global director Nathalie Louat, and Limpopo Economic Development and Tourism head of department, Dr Isaiah Rathumba, as well as Deutsche Bank Chief Rep Officer Alfre Idialu.
Ogbonna said that with operations in 24 countries globally, including 16 across Africa, Access Bank’s footprint places it in a unique position to facilitate cross-border trade, unlock regional value chains, and simplify the complexities of doing business across markets.
“Our presence across Africa and key global corridors gives us a front-row seat to the realities of trade. It also gives us the responsibility to design solutions that are inclusive, scalable, and future-facing. ATC 2026 is part of that commitment,” Ogbonna said.
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