The African Trade Conference (ATC), to be held in Cape Town on Wednesday, will bring together global policymakers, business leaders and innovators with the aim of accelerating Africa’s integration into global trade.
The second edition of ATC will feature voices from finance, government, development agencies and the private sector to share insights on unlocking trade opportunities, strengthening intra-African commerce, enabling business expansion and positioning African businesses for global competitiveness.
“Africa will not be a bystander in reshaping global trade; we will be one of its architects. ATC 2026 is where those blueprints will be drawn. The caliber of speakers identified at this year’s conference underscores the urgency and opportunity before us. Africa is not only participating in global trade, but contributing to redefining global trade,” said Roosevelt Ogbonna, CEO of Access Bank.
A focus on intra-African trade is critical as it strengthens regional integration, reduces dependence on external markets and unlocks Africa’s vast domestic demand and resources. With the still young African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the continent is building one of the world’s largest free trade areas, with the aim of industrializing, creating jobs and increasing resilience to global shocks.
The first edition of the ATC convened senior decision makers from 28 countries. Kennedy Mbekeani, Regional Director for Southern Africa at the African Development Bank (AfDB) and Kwabena Airebi, Head of Banking Operations at the African Export-Import Bank, will deliver keynote speeches at the 2026 conference. Their joint keynote will address the evolving financial landscape for African trade and strategic pathways to unlock the continent’s prosperity.
Mr. Ogbonna will deliver the welcome address, setting the tone for a discussion centered around trade transformation, financial inclusion and regional competitiveness, while Tolu Oyekan, MD and Partner at Boston Consulting Group, will provide insight on the Africa Trade Outlook 2026, looking at emerging macroeconomic trends, supply chain changes and growth opportunities across key sectors.
Pan-African Payment and Settlement System CEO Mike Ogbalu will address conference attendees on “Building a Connected Africa through Trade, Payments and Technology,” highlighting how payments interoperability and digital infrastructure can accelerate the agenda of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The high-level panel will include Ghanaian Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Elizabeth Ofosu Agyale, Botswana Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship Mr. Tiroeaone Nsima, Oddo-BHF Head of International and Corporate Banking Mr. Florian Witt, International Finance Corporation Global Director Natalie Ruato, Limpopo Head of Economic Development and Tourism Dr. Isaiah Ratumba, and Deutsche Bank Chief Representative Officer. Alfre Idial.
Ogbonna said Access Bank’s presence in 24 countries around the world, including 16 countries across Africa, is uniquely positioned to facilitate cross-border trade, unlock regional value chains and simplify the complexities of doing business across markets.
“Our presence across Africa and major global corridors gives us a front row seat to the realities of trade. It also gives us the responsibility to design solutions that are comprehensive, scalable and future-proof. ATC 2026 is part of that effort,” Ogbonna said.
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