GEC+Africa 2026 Brings African Entrepreneurs Together in Cape Town
GEC+Africa 2026 Brings African Entrepreneurs Together in Cape Town. The Global Entrepreneurship Congress Africa (GEC+Africa) 2026 brought entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, corporates and entrepreneurship support organisations together at the Cape Town International Convention Centre this week.
Hosted by the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) Africa and 22 On Sloane, the two-day congress took place from September 16 to 17 under the theme “Connecting Africa”. The theme focused on strengthening connections between entrepreneurs, markets, capital, policymakers, corporates and ecosystem organisations across the continent.
Former President Kgalema Motlanthe officially opened the congress, highlighting the role of entrepreneurship and inclusive economic participation in Africa’s future. He said small businesses and startup founders are important drivers of long-term growth and job creation.
Edna Sathekga-Montse, Group Chief Transformation and Sustainability Officer at African Bank, told delegates that entrepreneurs are transforming communities while facing barriers including limited access to finance, regulatory challenges and uneven market access.
She said digital platforms and mobile technologies are helping entrepreneurs reach customers, transact and develop solutions to longstanding challenges.
Sathekga-Montse also emphasised the role of digital transformation and inclusive growth in helping businesses move from survival to scale. She called for financial systems, markets and public institutions to keep pace with entrepreneurs.
On the final day, City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth James Vos said businesses often need government to make processes easier rather than introduce additional programmes or strategies.
Vos welcomed the national focus on reducing red tape and improving ease of doing business. He said Cape Town’s economic support focuses on sectors including technology, business process outsourcing, the green economy, manufacturing, tourism, clothing and textiles, marine manufacturing and the creative economy.
He added that the city works with industry specialists to identify investment opportunities, barriers facing businesses and practical interventions.
