Entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, corporates and business leaders from across Africa and beyond gathered at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in September for the 2026 Global Entrepreneurship Congress Africa (GEC+Africa)
Hosted by the Global Entrepreneurship Network Africa and 22 On Sloane under the theme “Connecting Africa”, the congress was dedicated to advancing entrepreneurship and reinforcing its role in driving economic growth, innovation, job creation and sustainable development across the continent
Powered by African Bank, the congress attracted about 2,500 delegates from 56 countries, including 29 African nations, for two days of dialogue, collaboration and action
The programme featured keynote addresses, ministerial engagements, high-level discussions, breakout sessions, startup showcases, investor engagements and networking opportunities
A central focus throughout was strengthening connections across the entrepreneurship ecosystem – linking entrepreneurs with capital, markets, policymakers, corporates and the skills to help them grow and scale
“The work now is to turn those connections into businesses financed, contracts won, jobs created and African companies reaching new markets,” says Edna Sathekga-Montse, group chief transformation and sustainability officer at African Bank
“For African Bank, that is where the value of this partnership [with GEC+Africa] lies: in helping more entrepreneurs build enterprises that grow, endure and widen economic participation.”
Key takeaways from GEC+Africa 2026
- Connecting capital and opportunity: Greater collaboration is needed between investors, entrepreneurs, corporates and development institutions to expand access to finance and markets for African businesses.
- Building for an AI-enabled economy: Africa must invest in skills, infrastructure, data and locally relevant technology to ensure it participates in shaping the AI economy, rather than remaining primarily a consumer of AI.
- Making it easier to do business: Governments and municipalities have a critical role to play in reducing regulatory barriers, improving infrastructure and creating environments where businesses can start, operate and scale.
- Strengthening cross-border collaboration: Africa’s entrepreneurs and businesses need stronger connections across markets to expand beyond national borders and access new opportunities.
- Backing Africa’s entrepreneurs: From creative industries and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to technology and venture capital, Africa’s entrepreneurial talent requires the capital, networks and enabling ecosystems to turn ideas into sustainable businesses.
Highlights
Road to GEC+Africa 2026 Continental Pitch Competition
The Road to GEC+Africa initiative gave startups and MSMEs across the continent a platform to showcase their businesses, connect with potential investors and build strategic relationships
In the lead-up to the congress, regional bootcamps and pitch competitions were held in Botswana, Uganda, Namibia, Algeria, Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa
Fifteen finalists were selected from these regional events to compete in the Continental Pitch Competition at GEC+Africa 2026 for a chance to be named one of the Top 3 Innovators and win a cash prize
- First place: Deaftouch, a South African technology startup creating accessible communication solutions for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, including Africa’s first deaf-to-deaf call centre model.
- Second place: Helton Traders Limited, a women-led social enterprise from Uganda, which transforms plastic waste into sustainable polyester sewing threads while creating opportunities for women and youth waste collectors.
- Third place: Agrona,an Egyptian climate-tech startup turning agricultural waste into low-carbon materials for packaging, furniture and construction.
Launch of Kumii
The congress also saw the launch of Kumii, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered digital platform developed by 22 On Sloane to connect entrepreneurs and businesses with capital, markets, knowledge, expertise, tools and opportunities to help them grow and scale
Lasting impact
Reflecting on the congress, Sathekga-Montse says: “GEC+Africa has shown what becomes possible when entrepreneurs, capital, markets and public institutions come together around a shared economic purpose.”
As delegates return to their respective countries, GEC+Africa 2026 leaves behind new connections, ideas and partnerships that can continue to drive collaboration across the continent
“The ideas shared, relationships formed and opportunities created over the [course of the congress] will continue to shape Africa’s entrepreneurial future,” says Carmen Rudd, executive: operations and GEC+Africa lead at 22 On Sloane
This article was sponsored by Global Entrepreneurship Network Africa
GEC+Africa 2026 was powered by African Bank, in partnership with Microsoft, Amazon, Telkom, the Masisizane Fund, the United Nations Development Programme, W&RSETA, Wesgro, the FirstRand Foundation, the National Empowerment Fund, the Western Cape Government, the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency, the City of Cape Town, and a growing network of partners committed to advancing entrepreneurship across Africa