Africa Trade Conference 2026 Returns to Cape Town, Positioning the Continent as a Driver of Global Commerce

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — February 26, 2026.

Africa’s trade conversation is evolving—from participation to positioning.

On March 11, 2026, the Africa Trade Conference (ATC 2026) returns to Cape Town with a sharpened agenda: accelerate Africa’s integration into global trade systems while strengthening intra-African commerce under AfCFTA.

Convened by Access Bank Plc at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, the second edition builds on a strong inaugural foundation that brought together decision-makers from 28 countries. This year, the ambition is more defined—and more urgent.

Under the theme “Turning Vision into Velocity: Building Africa’s Trade Ecosystem for Real-World Impact,” ATC 2026 signals a shift from dialogue to execution.

From Trade Participation to Trade Architecture

Africa’s role in global trade has historically been reactive—exporting raw materials while importing value-added goods.

That model is now under pressure.

With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) creating the largest single market by number of countries, the continent is repositioning itself as:

• A manufacturing and processing hub

• A regional value chain network

• A digitally connected trade ecosystem

ATC 2026 is designed as a strategic platform to align policy, capital, and execution frameworks needed to make that transition viable.

A High-Calibre Assembly of Decision-Makers

The conference brings together a cross-section of leaders shaping Africa’s economic trajectory—across finance, policy, development, and private enterprise.

Key voices include:

• Kennedy Mbekeani, Director General (Southern Africa), African Development Bank

• Kwabena Ayirebi, Managing Director, African Export-Import Bank

• Roosevelt Ogbonna, CEO, Access Bank Plc

• Tolu Oyekan, Managing Director & Partner, Boston Consulting Group

• Mike Ogbalu, CEO, Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS)

Together, they represent institutions that sit at the core of Africa’s trade infrastructure—financing, policy design, advisory, and payment systems.

Financing, Payments, and the Infrastructure of Trade

At the center of discussions is a critical reality:

Africa’s trade challenge is not demand—it is systems.

Three structural gaps continue to define the landscape:

1. Trade Finance Deficit

African businesses face a persistent shortage of affordable trade finance, limiting cross-border expansion.

2. Payment Fragmentation

Currency conversions, delays, and transaction costs continue to hinder intra-African trade.

3. Logistics and Supply Chain Constraints

Infrastructure inefficiencies increase the cost of moving goods across borders.

Sessions at ATC 2026 are expected to address these issues directly, with a focus on:

• Expanding trade finance mechanisms

• Scaling PAPSS for seamless cross-border payments

• Leveraging digital infrastructure to reduce friction in supply chains

The Ministerial Layer: Policy Meets Practice

A high-level ministerial panel will bring policymakers into direct dialogue with private sector leaders, featuring representatives from:

• Ghana

• Botswana

• International finance institutions and global banks

This intersection is critical.

Trade frameworks can only succeed when policy design aligns with market realities—from customs harmonization to industrial policy and regulatory clarity.

Access Bank’s Strategic Positioning

For Access Bank, ATC is more than a conference—it is a strategic instrument.

With operations across 24 countries globally, including 16 in Africa, the bank sits at a unique intersection of:

• Trade finance

• Cross-border banking

• Business expansion support

CEO Roosevelt Ogbonna framed the institution’s role beyond traditional banking:

“We are not just financiers—we are connectors of markets, ideas, and opportunities… Africa is not only participating in global trade, it is helping to redefine it.”

This reflects a broader shift in African financial institutions—from lenders to ecosystem builders.

Why This Moment Matters

Global trade itself is being reshaped.

Supply chains are diversifying. Geopolitical shifts are redefining trade corridors. Digital platforms are transforming how goods and services move.

Within this reconfiguration lies a strategic opening for Africa.

But capturing it requires:

• Coordinated policy execution

• Scalable financing structures

• Integrated payment and logistics systems

ATC 2026 is positioned at this intersection—where opportunity meets execution.

The Strategic Takeaway

Africa’s trade future will not be defined by access to markets alone—but by its ability to build competitive, connected, and efficient systems within them.

This means moving beyond:

• Export dependency → Value chain development

• Fragmented markets → Continental integration

• Policy ambition → Operational delivery

The Bottom Line

Africa is no longer waiting to be integrated into global trade.

It is actively designing its place within it.

ATC 2026 is where that design begins to take form—with capital, with policy, and with intent.