Access Bank and Global Leaders to Lead Africa Trade Conference in Cape Town

Access Bank Plc has announced a distinguished line-up of speakers for the second edition of the Africa Trade Conference (ATC 2026), scheduled to take place on 11 March 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town, South Africa. Building on the success of its inaugural event, ATC 2026 will host an exceptional gathering of global and African leaders, policymakers, investors, and business executives dedicated to shaping the continent’s future trade landscape.

The Africa Trade Conference has swiftly established itself as a premier platform for fostering dialogue and action around Africa’s evolving role in global commerce. The 2026 edition will feature influential voices from finance, government, development organisations, and the private sector, who will share insights on unlocking trade opportunities, boosting intra-African commerce, enabling business growth, and positioning African enterprises for global competitiveness.

The confirmed speakers represent a broad spectrum of leaders driving Africa’s economic transformation.

Building on the momentum of its first edition, which brought together senior decision-makers from 28 countries, the 2026 conference, themed “Turning Vision into Velocity: Building Africa’s Trade Ecosystem for Real-World Impact”, will feature a keynote address by Kennedy Mbekeani, Director General, Southern Africa Region, African Development Bank (AfDB), alongside Kwabena Ayirebi, Managing Director, Banking Operations at the African Export-Import Bank. Their joint keynote will focus on the evolving financing landscape for African trade and the strategic pathways to unlock continental prosperity.

The welcome address will be delivered by Roosevelt Ogbonna, CEO/GMD of Access Bank Plc, who will set the tone for discussions centred on trade transformation, financial inclusion, and regional competitiveness. Tolu Oyekan, Managing Director & Partner at Boston Consulting Group, will present insights on “Africa Trade Outlook 2026”, analysing macroeconomic trends, supply chain shifts, and growth opportunities across key sectors. Mike Ogbalu, CEO of Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, will engage participants on the topic, “Building a Connected Africa Through Trade, Payments & Technology”, focusing on how payment interoperability and digital infrastructure can accelerate the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agenda.

The conference will also feature a High-Level Ministerial Panel including Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness & Industry, Ghana; Tiroeaone Ntsima, Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Botswana; Mr Florian Witt, Divisional Head, International & Corporate Banking at Oddo-BHF; Ms Nathalie Louat, Global Director, International Finance Corporation (IFC); Dr Isaiah Rathumba, Head of Department, Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism; and Mr Alfred Idialu, Chief Representative Officer, Deutsche Bank, among other policymakers shaping trade policy across the continent.

Commenting on the announcement, Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc, said:
“The Africa Trade Conference reflects our unwavering commitment to advancing Africa’s economic transformation by creating a platform that brings together the leaders, institutions, and ideas shaping the future of trade. The calibre of speakers confirmed for this year’s conference underscores the urgency and opportunity before us. Africa is not only participating in global trade, it is helping to redefine it. Through this convening, we aim to catalyse partnerships, unlock new opportunities for businesses, and accelerate Africa’s integration into global value chains.”

“At Access Bank, we see ourselves not just as financiers, but as connectors of markets, ideas, and opportunities. Our role is to help African businesses move from ambition to impact, from local relevance to global competitiveness.”

With operations in 24 countries worldwide, including 16 across Africa, Access Bank’s extensive footprint positions it uniquely to facilitate cross-border trade, unlock regional value chains, and simplify the complexities of doing business across markets.

“Our presence across Africa and key global corridors gives us a front-row seat to the realities of trade. It also gives us the responsibility to design solutions that are inclusive, scalable, and future-facing. ATC 2026 is part of that commitment,” Ogbonna added.
ATC 2026 is expected to catalyse partnerships, enable policy dialogue, and drive strategic initiatives to unlock Africa’s trade potential.