The Global Entrepreneurship Congress Africa (GEC+Africa) returns to Cape Town in September, with African Bank signing on as official partner for the 2026 edition of what organisers bill as Africa’s largest entrepreneurship gathering.

The congress takes place on 16-17 September at the Cape Town International Convention Centre under the theme “Connecting Africa”. It is expected to draw more than 2 000 delegates from over 43 African countries for two days of dialogue, collaboration, investment engagement and ecosystem building.

Hosted by the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) Africa, GEC+Africa was launched in 2017 during the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Johannesburg by then-deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, with a mandate to advance entrepreneurship and strengthen collaboration across the continent’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Its inaugural standalone congress, held in Cape Town in 2024, drew more than 2 000 delegates from 71 countries — 38 of them African — and featured over 220 speakers.

“GEC+Africa was created to connect the people, ideas and opportunities shaping the future of entrepreneurship on the continent,” said Carmen Rudd, executive for operations at 22 On Sloane and GEC+Africa lead. “As we prepare to welcome delegates from across Africa and beyond to Cape Town, partnerships with African Bank are critical in helping us create a platform that drives meaningful collaboration, investment and growth for African entrepreneurs.”

African Bank said its support reinforces its commitment to entrepreneurship, enterprise development and economic inclusion, and is intended to help founders and small businesses reach the networks, knowledge and markets they need to scale.

“We at African Bank are delighted to once again partner with GEN Africa for GEC+Africa,” said Edna Sathekga-Montse, chief transformation and sustainability officer at African Bank. “Entrepreneurs are the backbone of a thriving economy, driving wealth creation and economic development across the globe.

“We need Africa’s entrepreneurs to harness their audacity to believe, to collaborate and to start pushing boundaries in terms of products, services and solutions. Just as importantly, we need to support them in this endeavour. Successful entrepreneurs foster more prosperous communities. They create employment and more avenues for growth. Their success is intertwined with the prosperity of our people.

“Entrepreneurship therefore is not simply a business issue. It is our issue. The beauty of GEC+Africa is that it brings together the key players — entrepreneurs, the private sector, government and industry — to innovate solutions that will benefit us all.”

Road to GCE+Africa

The announcement comes as the Road to GEC+Africa continues, following a series of regional bootcamps and pitch competitions that have engaged entrepreneurs in Botswana, Uganda, Namibia, Algeria, Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya and Tanzania. The South African leg begins this month, with winning businesses advancing to the continental stage in Cape Town.

Entries so far have spanned finance, technology, agriculture, climate innovation, healthcare, manufacturing and digital services.

Delegates in September will have access to keynote sessions, panel discussions, masterclasses, start-up showcases, investor engagements, exhibitions and curated networking.

Registration is open. For more information, visit the GEC+Africa 2026 registration page.

About GEC+Africa
The Global Entrepreneurship Congress Africa (GEC+Africa) is Africa’s largest pan-African gathering dedicated to advancing entrepreneurship across the continent. Hosted by the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) Africa, the congress brings together entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, corporates and ecosystem leaders from across Africa and around the world to connect ideas, markets and opportunities. Through dialogue, collaboration and action-orientated engagement, GEC+Africa strengthens entrepreneurial ecosystems and supports the growth and scalability of African businesses.

About African Bank
African Bank is a personal and business bank offering a range of financial products and services to individuals and businesses across South Africa. Through its commitment to financial inclusion, enterprise development and sustainable growth, the bank continues to support entrepreneurs and small businesses by providing access to financial solutions, market opportunities and strategic partnerships that enable growth and economic participation.