African Bank Named Platinum Partner for GEC+Africa 2026 as Cape Town Prepares to Host Entrepreneurship Summit
African Bank Named Platinum Partner for GEC+Africa 2026 as Cape Town Prepares to Host Entrepreneurship Summit. African Bank has been announced as the official Platinum Partner of the Global Entrepreneurship Congress Africa (GEC+Africa) 2026, reinforcing support for entrepreneurship and enterprise development ahead of the continental event in Cape Town.
The congress will take place from 16 to 17 September 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) under the theme “Connecting Africa.” Organisers expect the event to attract more than 2,000 delegates from over 43 African countries, including entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, corporate leaders and entrepreneurship ecosystem stakeholders.
GEC+Africa was launched in 2017 during the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Johannesburg by then-Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to strengthen collaboration and promote entrepreneurship across the continent.
The initiative hosted its inaugural GEC+Africa Congress in Cape Town in 2024, where more than 2,000 delegates from 71 countries, including 38 African nations, attended an event featuring over 220 speakers across multiple sessions.
Carmen Rudd, Executive: Operations at 22 On Sloane and GEC+Africa Lead, said partnerships with organisations such as African Bank play an important role in advancing the congress’s objectives.
“GEC+Africa was created to connect the people, ideas, and opportunities shaping the future of entrepreneurship on the continent. As we prepare to welcome delegates from across Africa and beyond to Cape Town, partnerships with African Bank are critical in helping us create a platform that drives meaningful collaboration, investment, and growth for African entrepreneurs,” she said.
According to organisers, African Bank’s participation aligns with its commitment to entrepreneurship, enterprise development and economic inclusion by supporting founders and small businesses with opportunities to access networks, knowledge and markets.
African Bank Chief Transformation and Sustainability Officer Edna Sathekga-Montse said entrepreneurship plays a vital role in economic development and community growth.
She said the congress creates an opportunity for entrepreneurs, government, industry and the private sector to collaborate on solutions that support innovation and business growth across Africa.
The announcement comes as the Road to GEC+Africa programme continues across South Africa following regional bootcamps and pitch competitions held in Botswana, Uganda, Namibia, Algeria, Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya and Tanzania. The programme has identified businesses that will progress to the continental stage in Cape Town, while the South African leg of the competition is scheduled to begin in early August.
Delegates attending GEC+Africa 2026 will have access to keynote presentations, panel discussions, masterclasses, startup showcases, investor engagement sessions, exhibitions and curated networking opportunities designed to encourage collaboration and facilitate new business opportunities.
