Standard Bank Africa Unlocked 2026
Business Leaders Convene to Accelerate Investment, Innovation and Growth
08 July 2026 – More than 140 business leaders, policymakers, investors and entrepreneurs from across Africa and key global markets will gather in Cape Town on 9 – 10 July for Standard Bank's Africa Unlocked 2026 conference to explore the practical actions required to accelerate trade, investment and sustainable economic growth across the continent. Hosted by Standard Bank Business and Commercial Banking under the theme Built in Africa: Amplifying Continental Growth, the conference will focus on the growing role of African businesses, capital and innovation in shaping the continent's next phase of development.
Now in its third edition, Africa Unlocked has evolved alongside Africa’s economic journey. As the continent strengthens regional value chains, mobilises investment and builds globally competitive businesses, the conference will convene leaders from business, government, development finance institutions and academia to exchange practical ideas, strengthen partnerships and explore solutions that support long-term economic growth.
Sim Tshabalala
Chief Executive of Standard Bank Group
Across the continent we are seeing businesses expanding into new markets, entrepreneurs scaling with confidence and investment supporting infrastructure, industrialisation and innovation. The next phase of growth will depend on how effectively we build on this momentum through stronger partnerships, greater regional integration and continued investment in Africa’s productive economy. This is according to Sim Tshabalala.
Bill Blackie
Chief Executive of Business and Commercial Banking at Standard Bank Group
According to Bill Blackie,
Africa Unlocked has evolved into a platform for practical conversations about Africa’s economic future.
Africa’s growth story is increasingly being written by businesses that are scaling across borders, attracting investment and embracing innovation. Africa Unlocked is about discussing Africa's future by bringing together decision-makers who can unlock investment, enable trade and build the partnerships required to turn opportunity into measurable economic growth.
Africa Unlocked reflects Standard Bank’s commitment to driving Africa’s growth by connecting businesses to capital, facilitating trade, financing infrastructure and partnering with clients as they start, manage and grow across the continent. The platform reinforces Standard Bank’s role in helping clients convert Africa’s opportunity into bankable, scalable and sustainable growth.
Africa Unlocked 2026 takes place on 9 and 10 July 2026 at the Norval Foundation, Cape Town.
High-level delegates and speakers include:
- Sim Tshabalala, Chief Executive, Standard Bank Group
- Bill Blackie, Chief Executive, Business & Commercial Banking, Standard Bank Group
- David Hodnett, Chief Executive, Standard Bank South Africa
- Goolam Ballim, Chief Economist, Standard Bank Group
- Trudi Makhaya, Head of Geopolitics, Standard Bank Group
- Francis Karuhanga, CEO, Stanbic Uganda Holdings
- Adam Ikdal, Chief Strategy Officer, Standard Bank
- Simone Cooper, Head: Business & Commercial Banking, Standard Bank South Africa
- Andrew Mashanda, Head: Business & Commercial Banking, Standard Bank Africa Regions & Offshore
- Mohammed Dewji, Chief Executive Officer, MeTL Group
- Wandile Sihlobo, Chief Economist, AGBIZ
- Mmakgoshi Lekhethe, CEO, Industrial Development Corporation
- Senior executives will also participate from the African Development Bank, Africa Finance Corporation, Botswana Stock Exchange, British International Investment, Microsoft Africa Development Centre, Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research, Standard Advisory China, Pangaea Securities, Safe Power Holdings, Vohra Group Holdings and the International Rescue Committee, together with business leaders, policymakers, investors and entrepreneurs from across Africa and key international markets.
ENDS.
For more information and/or media queries, please contact:
Zukelwa Solomon
Lead: Public Relations
Business & Commercial Banking | Standard Bank
061 014 7098