Recognised as Africa’s premier energy event, the Africa Energy Indaba once again served as a strategic platform for high-level dialogue, investment engagement and practical solutions aimed at advancing Africa’s energy future.

A highlight of the 2026 Indaba was the Presidential Keynote Address delivered by H.E. President Cyril Ramaphosa, underscoring the importance of energy security, infrastructure development and regional cooperation in unlocking Africa’s economic potential. 

Addressing delegates from across the global energy ecosystem, President Ramaphosa emphasised that Africa’s abundant natural resources — including solar, wind, hydropower, gas and critical minerals — position the continent to become a competitive energy producer while meeting its development needs. 

The President also highlighted that more than 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity, reinforcing the urgency of accelerating investment in energy infrastructure and innovation across the continent. 

Major announcements and strategic developments

The 2026 Africa Energy Indaba delivered several important announcements and partnerships that underscore the event’s role as a catalyst for energy investment and collaboration.

Mission 300 commitment expanded

As part of Mission 300 Day during the Indaba, The Rockefeller Foundation announced an additional US$10 million in support of Mission 300, the ambitious initiative led by the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank aimed at connecting 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030.

The announcement reinforced the growing momentum behind Mission 300 and highlighted the importance of global partnerships in addressing Africa’s energy access gap.

Nuclear Energy Cooperation Agreement

During the Nuclear Forum, South Africa’s Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) and Russia’s Rosatom signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in nuclear skills development, training and research.

The partnership supports South Africa’s nuclear expansion ambitions and focuses on developing the next generation of nuclear professionals, promoting women’s participation in the sector and advancing collaborative research programmes.

Global Nuclear Capacity Commitment

A further milestone of the Nuclear Forum was the signing of the Declaration to Triple Global Nuclear Capacity by 2050, in collaboration with the World Nuclear Association. The declaration reflects growing international recognition of nuclear power as a critical component of global energy security and decarbonisation strategies.

Advancing continental infrastructure and investment

A key highlight of the Indaba was the Ministerial Roundtable on the Africa Ten-Year Infrastructure Investment Plan for Cross-Border Interconnectivity (TYIIP).

The roundtable focused on accelerating priority transmission and power infrastructure projects across the continent, strengthening project preparation mechanisms, improving cross-border coordination and mobilising both public and private investment to enable regional energy integration.

Energy leaders emphasised that cross-border interconnectivity and regional power pools will be essential to delivering reliable and affordable electricity across Africa.

South African energy investment opportunities

The Indaba also hosted the South African Investment Forum, hosted by the Department of Electricity and Energy, which profiled a range of investment opportunities in South Africa’s evolving energy sector.

The forum provided investors with insights into new projects across renewable energy, transmission infrastructure, gas-to-power developments, nuclear energy expansion and emerging technologies.

A Platform for strategic energy dialogue

The Africa Energy Indaba 2026 brought together energy stakeholders to explore pathways for:

• Strengthening energy security and resilience across Africa
• Accelerating energy investment and project development
• Advancing regional power integration and cross-border infrastructure
• Supporting Africa’s just and inclusive energy transition
• Unlocking the potential of gas-to-power, renewables, storage and grid expansion

Government leaders, development finance institutions, utilities, private sector companies and technology innovators participated in a series of high-level discussions, ministerial roundtables and industry forums.

Key outcomes and strategic discussions

Among the key themes and outcomes emerging from the 2026 Indaba were:

Energy investment acceleration

Delegates emphasised the need to significantly increase investment in generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure to meet Africa’s rapidly growing energy demand.

Regional integration and infrastructure development

Ministers and industry leaders highlighted the importance of strengthening regional power pools and cross-border interconnectors to improve reliability and unlock continental energy markets.

Energy transition aligned with industrial growth

A central message from the conference was that Africa’s energy transition must support industrialisation, job creation and economic development while advancing sustainability goals. 

Strategic role of Natural Gas

The Africa Gas Forum reinforced the role of natural gas as a transition fuel capable of supporting electricity generation, industrial growth and energy stability across the continent.

Public–Private Partnerships

Strong emphasis was placed on collaboration between governments, investors and development partners to accelerate project implementation and mobilise large-scale energy financing.

Africa’s Energy Future

The Africa Energy Indaba continues to play a critical role in shaping the continent’s energy policy landscape and investment pipeline.

By convening key decision-makers and global stakeholders, the Indaba provides a platform where energy deals begin, partnerships are formed and practical solutions are developed to address Africa’s most pressing energy challenges.

As Africa’s energy demand grows and the global energy transition accelerates, the Africa Energy Indaba remains committed to driving dialogue, collaboration and investment that will power the continent’s future.

Under the focus of “AfCFTA in Action: Building Pan-African Manufacturing Value Chains,” government leaders, industry executives, investors and trade experts will examine how Africa can move beyond trade agreements to establish integrated cross-border manufacturing ecosystems that drive industrialisation, job creation and economic growth across the continent.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is the world’s largest free trade area, creating a single market of over 1.3-billion people with a combined GDP of more than US$3.4-trillion. By reducing trade barriers and strengthening regional value chains, AfCFTA has the potential to accelerate industrialisation, boost intra-African trade and unlock sustainable economic growth across the continent.

While AfCFTA represents the world’s largest free trade area by number of participating countries, unlocking its full potential will depend on practical implementation across key sectors, including manufacturing, logistics, standards harmonisation and industrial infrastructure.

According to industry leaders, Africa’s industrial future will depend on the continent’s ability to transition from fragmented national markets toward integrated regional manufacturing systems.

Discussions at the Manufacturing Indaba will focus on how African economies can leverage the AfCFTA framework to develop regional production networks, strengthen supply chains and improve intra-African trade in manufactured goods.

Experts and policymakers will explore strategies to:

• Build regional manufacturing value chains across multiple African markets
• Improve cross-border logistics and trade corridors
• Align standards and regulatory frameworks to facilitate trade
• Strengthen industrial infrastructure and energy access
• Encourage investment into manufacturing clusters and industrial parks

According to industry leaders, Africa’s industrial future will depend on the continent’s ability to transition from fragmented national markets toward integrated regional manufacturing systems.

The Manufacturing Indaba, taking place from the 14 – 15 July 2026 in Johannesburg, South Africa, is recognised as Africa’s leading platform for manufacturing sector development, brings together policymakers, manufacturers, financiers and technology providers to address the challenges and opportunities shaping the continent’s industrial future.

As African economies seek to accelerate industrialisation, the Indaba will provide a critical forum for translating AfCFTA commitments into actionable strategies that support competitive manufacturing and sustainable economic growth.

No longer a back-office function, procurement today sits at the centre of cost optimisation, risk management, ESG accountability, supplier transformation, localisation, and digital innovation. The Smart Procurement Leaders Awards were established to honour the professionals who are not only managing supply chains, but also strategically transforming them.

“With procurement influencing up to two-thirds of organisational expenditure and playing a central role in supplier development and localisation, it has become one of the most significant levers for economic transformation. The Smart Procurement Leaders Awards celebrate the leaders who are driving innovation, governance excellence and measurable impact across the continent. Recognising their achievements strengthens Africa’s entire supply chain ecosystem,” states Debbie Tagg, CEO of Smart Procurement World.

The 2026 awards will spotlight measurable impact across both public and private sectors, recognising excellence in categories including:

• The Transformation Trailblazer (Sponsored by Zycus)
• Digital Game-Changer of the Year
• The Sustainability & Impact Champion (Sponsored by SLR Consulting)
• The People Architect (Sponsored by Commerce Edge SA)
• African Leader of the Year (Sponsored by Zycus)
• Supply Chain Finance Leadership (Sponsored by Addendum)
• Rookie of the Year – Procurement
• Lifetime Achievement Award (Sponsored by COUPA)

Each category evaluates demonstrable results, governance excellence, strategic alignment to business performance, and contribution to economic growth.

As regulatory complexity, geopolitical uncertainty, and supply chain disruption continue to shape global markets, African procurement leaders are increasingly required to deliver resilience, agility, and innovation at scale.

Backed by respected industry partners and solution providers, the Smart Procurement Leaders Awards serve as a benchmark for excellence within Africa’s procurement ecosystem.

Winning or even being shortlisted signals leadership credibility, operational excellence, and forward-thinking strategy within one of the most business-critical functions in modern enterprise.

Call for Entries and Nominations

Senior executives, procurement teams, state entities, corporates, and industry stakeholders are invited to submit entries or nominate outstanding professionals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and measurable results.

Full criteria, category details, and submission guidelines are available at:
https://smartprocurementworld.com/smart-procurement-leaders-awards/

Nominations and entries close: 6 March 2026

Through it’s conferences, executive engagement platforms, and industry recognition initiatives, Smart Procurement World continues to position procurement as a strategic enabler of growth, transformation, and sustainable enterprise development across the continent.

The 2026 Awards ceremony will convene senior executives, CPOs, supply chain leaders, and key stakeholders to celebrate excellence at the highest level.

The conference will emphasize the importance of collaboration, intelligence sharing and community engagement and applying a multi-sectoral approach by bringing together state, private and mine security forces and authorities to unite and apply stronger regulatory and prosecution measures to create stability and investment.

Some of the critical topics that will be addressed at this year’s conference include:

• Strengthening collaboration through PPP between state-, private- and security forces to combat the deteriorating security conditions in and around mines
• Identifying insider threats using intelligence gathering techniques to reveal vulnerabilities before they can be exploited
• Meeting force with force? Deployment and support of specialized security to mobilize stability and gain ground against global crime syndicates and armed attacks
• Overcoming regulatory gaps and ambiguities about what constitutes illegal mining versus artisanal mining – moving towards formalising artisanal mining through proper licensing and regulation
• Combining people and technology, with due consideration of site specific conditions and threats to unlocks the true potential of both
• Whole-of-government approach: State agencies and enforcement authorities will share insights on how they are working together to achieve joint prosecution through inter-agency collaboration and sharing of resources and expertise. Building on PPPs and what support is needed from mines in the fight against illegal mining
• Who is responsible at ownerless mines and closure of shafts – 6000 abandoned mines with illicit trade draining R70-billion from the economy where are we at in terms of statistics and solutions?
• An update on legislative revisions underway to align mining laws and close legal loopholes that organised groups exploit
• “Following the money” and the network of organised crime associated with related crimes in and around your mine
• Circular Economies (CE) and moving away from the take-make-dispose model and working together as corporates, government and communities to address crimes and criminality such as illegal mining, sabotage, malicious damage to property and infrastructure, amongst other challenges towards extending life of mine
• Investment and reputational management and drawing investment to mining by ensuring stability and reinstating SA’s competitiveness in global markets, etc.

To speak, sponsor or receive the agenda, please contact info@pinpointstewards.co.za or register online at www.pinpointstewards.co.za

Now in its 18th year, the Africa Energy Indaba has evolved into a strategic platform where government, utilities, regulators, investors, project developers and industry leaders engage in outcome-driven dialogue to accelerate Africa’s energy security and transition agenda.

Africa’s energy sector represents one of the most significant growth opportunities globally. With rapidly expanding populations, increasing urbanisation, industrialisation ambitions and abundant natural resources — including gas, renewables, critical minerals and emerging green hydrogen potential — the continent is positioned for substantial energy infrastructure expansion. Power demand is projected to rise significantly over the coming decades, requiring large-scale investment across generation, transmission, storage and regional interconnectivity. The opportunity lies not only in closing the energy access gap, but in building modern, resilient energy systems that underpin economic growth and industrial competitiveness.

At a time when infrastructure gaps remain a key constraint to economic expansion, the 2026 programme will focus on:

• Strengthening regional power markets and cross-border trade
• Unlocking gas-to-power and domestic gas market development
• Accelerating transmission and grid expansion
• Mobilising blended finance and private sector capital
• Advancing regulatory certainty and investment readiness

Unlike broad sector exhibitions, the Africa Energy Indaba is structured around curated high-level forums, ministerial engagements and targeted investment discussions designed to facilitate collaboration and tangible progress.

The programme will feature ministerial participation, regulatory authorities, power pool representatives, development finance institutions and private sector executives from across the energy value chain — spanning power, gas, infrastructure and emerging technologies.

With energy security, affordability and economic growth at the forefront of Africa’s priorities, the 2026 Africa Energy Indaba will provide a focused environment for dialogue that moves beyond rhetoric toward practical implementation.

Africa Energy Indaba 2026

3–5 March 2026
Cape Town International Convention Centre

For more information and registration details, visit: https://africaenergyindaba.com

The modern marketplace is louder than ever. Brands publish constantly, algorithms churn endlessly, and audiences are exposed to more messaging in a single day than previous generations encountered in a month. Yet despite this unprecedented volume, something essential is missing: emotional connection.

The real challenge facing brands in 2026 is not visibility. It’s meaning.

Consumers are no longer moved by polished campaigns or clever slogans. They are looking for something deeper, a sense of alignment, recognition, and shared values. And that level of connection is impossible to achieve when strategy is built without purpose.

“Purpose is not a marketing device. It is the internal compass that shapes how a brand behaves, decides, and communicates,” says Nadia Hearn, PR and brand communications strategist, founder of Get Published and co-founder of Brand Growth Track. She shares why when purpose is absent, strategy becomes a performance. When purpose is present, strategy becomes a relationship.

Across Africa, this truth has long been understood. Communities here have always valued connection over consumption and contribution over competition. As global audiences shift toward values-driven decision-making, this perspective is becoming increasingly relevant and increasingly powerful.

Below Nadia Hearn shares three strategic shifts that will define the brands capable of building genuine emotional connection in 2026:

1. Move from “What We Do” to “Why It Matters”

Most brands still lead with offerings, features, and capabilities. But audiences don’t connect with what a brand does they connect with the meaning behind it. They want to understand the human problem being solved, not the list of services being provided.

This requires a shift from transactional communication to purpose-led storytelling.
It means articulating the deeper intention behind the work, the impact on people’s lives, and the values that guide decisions.

When purpose becomes the anchor, messaging gains clarity, consistency, and resonance. It stops trying to impress and starts trying to matter. Purpose gives strategy direction. Without it, brands drift. With it, they become intentional and intention builds trust.

2. Build Emotional Connection Through Behaviour, Not Words

Audiences today are highly attuned to authenticity. They no longer take brand statements at face value; they look for evidence.

Emotional connection is built through behaviour the lived expression of values not through messaging alone.

This shows up in:

• • How customers are treated
  • How decisions are made under pressure
  • How organisations show up in their communities
  • How transparently challenges are communicated
  • How consistently values are demonstrated

When behaviour aligns with purpose, credibility grows. When it doesn’t, trust erodes quickly. Emotional connection is created when what a brand says, does, and delivers are in harmony.

3. Integrate purpose into strategy, not as an accessory

Purpose cannot sit on a website page or in a brand book. It must inform the strategic engine of the organisation. The most effective brands in 2026 will integrate purpose into:

• • Product and service development
  • Customer experience design
  • Leadership and culture
  • Partnerships and collaborations
  • Communication and content
  • Social and environmental commitments

This integration creates coherence, quality audiences instinctively recognise. It also simplifies decision-making, because purpose becomes the filter through which opportunities, messages, and actions are evaluated.

African innovation offers a compelling example here. “We see that many local businesses are built on principles of community upliftment, shared value, and long-term contribution. These are not marketing narratives, they are strategic foundations. And they are increasingly aligned with what global audiences expect from the brands they support,” says Nadia Hearn.

Purpose-driven strategy builds credibility because it creates consistency. “Consistency builds trust,” she adds.

Aligning strategy with purpose, a practical approach

A useful starting point is to define purpose in one clear, human sentence. Then evaluate every strategic decision, message, and initiative against it.

The guiding questions are simple:

• • Does this reflect why the organisation exists?
  • Does this create meaningful value for the audience?
  • Does this strengthen the relationship the brand is trying to build?

If the answer is no, Nadia Hearn shares, “Then action is likely noise not strategy. Purpose-led alignment is not a campaign. It is more of a discipline. When it is applied consistently, it becomes a powerful differentiator in a crowded and increasingly discerning marketplace.”

The key takeaway

In 2026, the brands that succeed will not be the ones with the most content or the biggest budgets.

They will be the ones that create genuine emotional connection, the ones that behave with purpose, communicate with clarity, and show up with consistency.

Strategy with purpose becomes meaning and meaning is what audiences remember, trust, and choose. To receive a free brand purpose audit workbook email brands@get-published.co.za.

For more brand communications insights follow: Instagram: @getpublishedza, Facebook & LinkedIn: Get Published or Nadia Hearn.

Curated by Exito Media Concepts, a global leader in B2B technology platforms, the Cyber Security Summit – South Africa 2026 serves as a premier executive forum dedicated to strengthening cyber resilience across the region. The summit will bring together 200+ C-level executives, CISOs, security leaders, and technology decision-makers to address the evolving threat landscape and the growing complexity of securing modern digital ecosystems. 

Through focused discussions on AI-driven security, cloud and identity protection, threat intelligence, automation, blockchain, IoT security, and regulatory compliance, the summit will deliver actionable strategies, real-world insights, and collaborative opportunities to help organizations build resilient, future-ready security frameworks capable of supporting long-term digital growth. 

Case Study: Building Cyber-Resilient Enterprises in South Africa

A major South African enterprise within the telecommunications sector undertook a comprehensive cybersecurity transformation to secure its expanding digital infrastructure and customer ecosystem. With millions of users dependent on its digital platforms, the organization faced rising exposure to sophisticated threats such as ransomware, phishing, and network-based attacks, alongside stringent regulatory and data protection requirements. 

To mitigate these risks, the enterprise adopted a zero-trust security architecture across its IT and network environments, enabling continuous verification of users, devices, and applications. Cloud security was strengthened through centralized identity and access management, secure APIs, and improved visibility across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. 

AI-driven threat detection and real-time monitoring enhanced the organization’s ability to identify anomalies and respond proactively to incidents. Security automation further reduced response times, minimized operational risk, and improved business continuity. In parallel, targeted upskilling initiatives strengthened internal capabilities across security operations, threat intelligence, cloud security, and compliance. 

This transformation underscores the importance of cyber resilience in safeguarding digital trust and operational stability, which are the key focus areas at the 29th Edition of the Cyber Security Summit – South Africa 2026, where security leaders will convene to address evolving cyber risks and share best practices. 

Event overview 

The 29th Edition of the Cyber Security Summit – South Africa 2026 is the country’s premier executive-level forum dedicated to strengthening enterprise cyber resilience. The summit will bring together 200+ C-level executives, CISOs, security leaders, and technology decision-makers to examine the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape and the growing complexity of securing modern digital environments. 

Through focused discussions on AI-driven security, cloud and identity protection, threat intelligence, blockchain and IoT security, automation, and regulatory compliance, the summit will deliver strategic insights, practical frameworks, and real-world approaches to safeguarding critical digital infrastructure and ensuring business continuity. 

Date: 12th March 2026 
Time: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM 
Venue: Indaba Hotel, Spa and Conference Centre, South Africa 

Supporting Partner:

The Cyber Security Summit – South Africa 2026 is supported by the ISC2 Gauteng Chapter and the Cloud Security Alliance, reinforcing the event’s commitment to advancing cybersecurity excellence, professional development, and collaborative security practices across South Africa’s digital ecosystem. 

Meet the Visionaries 

The 29th Edition of the Cyber Security Summit – South Africa 2026 will feature some of the country’s most influential cybersecurity and technology leaders, sharing insights on cyber resilience, risk management, digital trust, and securing enterprise ecosystems. Below are a few of the distinguished advisory board members and speakers joining CSS South Africa 2026, alongside many more industry experts and thought leaders: 

Advisory Board 

Julian Ankiah, Chief Information Security Officer, MultiChoice Group 

Fundi Rarane, VP: Cyber Security – Business Engagement Lead Absa Group 
Speakers 

Dr. Denisha Jairam-Owthar, Group Chief Information Office, Council for Medical Schemes 

Jongikhaya Stuurman, Chief Information Officer, PetroSA 

Meshack Ndwandwe, Chief Information Officer, First National Bank South Africa

Tumelo Zwane, Chief Information Officer, Special Investigating Unit 

Emily Manganyi, Chief Information Security Officer, JSE 

Key topics to be covered 

Attendees will examine South Africa’s most pressing cybersecurity priorities through focused discussions, including: 

• AI & National Cyber Defense: Using AI to strengthen threat intelligence, public-sector readiness, and public–private collaboration while addressing data governance and digital sovereignty. 
• AI as Threat vs. AI as Shield: SOC automation, AI-driven attacks, ethical deployment, and strategic guidance for CISOs navigating emerging risks. 
• Cyber Risk & Critical Infrastructure: Securing OT–IT environments, lessons from recent infrastructure breaches, and coordinated incident response. 
• Cloud, Sovereignty & Compliance: Navigating POPIA, cross-border data risks, sovereign cloud models, and emerging AI regulations. 
• Secure Innovation: Embedding security by design across DevOps, CI/CD, and fast-paced digital environments. 

About Exito 

Exito stands for “success” — a principle reflected in every experience we design. With over 15 years of experience, Exito is a globally recognized B2B events and media organization, delivering 240+ conferences annually across technology, digital transformation, cybersecurity, healthcare, and emerging enterprise sectors.

Through carefully curated agendas, global speaker communities, and market-driven insights, Exito creates platforms that foster strategic collaboration, accelerate innovation adoption, and drive measurable business outcomes worldwide.

For more details on the Cyber Security Summit – South Africa 2026, visit: https://exito-e.com/cybersecuritysummit/south-africa/ 

The upcoming edition will convene:

• Fifteen African Energy Ministers
• The African Union Commissioner
• Representatives from Africa’s Power Pools
• Continental utilities
• Leading investors, regulators and infrastructure developers

All under one roof.

The Africa Energy Indaba continues to serve as a strategic platform where policy direction is shaped, procurement priorities are discussed, and energy partnerships are forged to accelerate Africa’s power sector transformation.

Key programme highlights include:

• Mission 300 Day hosted by the World Bank, AfDB, GEAPP, SEforALL and the Rockefeller Foundation
• Indaba Energy Leaders Dialogue hosted by Pele Green Energy
• Ministerial Roundtable hosted by AUDA-NEPAD and GET.invest
• Power Pools Forum
• Deep Dive Energy Forums
• A dynamic Exhibition Showcase featuring leading energy technologies and solution providers
• The South African Energy Investment Forum, hosted by the Department of Electricity and Energy

“The Africa Energy Indaba provides a critical platform for alignment between governments, utilities, investors and solution providers. With ministerial participation at this level, meaningful dialogue can translate into tangible action,” said Liz Hart, Managing Director of the Africa Energy Indaba.

Africa’s energy gap remains one of the defining development challenges of the decade. To meet power demand, expand capacity and achieve universal electricity access by 2030, the continent will require a dramatic scale-up in both infrastructure and investment. Studies estimate Africa needs around US $450–$500-billion in power sector investment between now and 2030 — roughly US $60–$65-billion per year — to expand generation, transmission and access capacity across the continent.

Current infrastructure shortfalls mean hundreds of millions still lack reliable electricity, and financing gaps, especially in clean energy, must be closed if Africa is to unlock economic growth, industrialisation and energy security. As Africa accelerates grid expansion, renewable integration and infrastructure investment, the Indaba offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage directly with decision-makers shaping the continent’s energy future.
With momentum building and delegate registrations accelerating, stakeholders across the energy value chain are encouraged to secure their participation.

With seats filling quickly, stakeholders across the energy value chain are encouraged to secure their participation.

Don’t miss your seat at Africa’s energy table. 

Register now. 

Bringing together 200+ C-level executives, CIOs, CTOs, technology leaders, policymakers, and digital decision-makers, the summit will explore how emerging technologies are reshaping enterprise and government operations across the country. With digital adoption expanding across cloud computing, artificial intelligence, data intelligence, and automation, organizations are rethinking legacy systems and embracing agile, innovation-driven models to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape. 

The event will spotlight practical frameworks and case studies that demonstrate measurable business outcomes from digital investments. Attendees will gain insights into leveraging AI, IoT, Web 3.0, Quantum Computing and advanced cybersecurity strategies to enhance operational efficiency, improve customer experience, and drive sustainable growth. Special focus will also be placed on strengthening cyber resilience, regulatory compliance, and digital trust, key pillars of long-term digital success. 

Workforce transformation will be another core theme, with discussions centered on closing digital skills gaps, enabling future-ready talent, and fostering leadership cultures that support innovation. The summit also emphasizes inclusive digital growth, highlighting the role of public-private collaboration and technology in bridging the digital divide. 

Supported by the ISC2 Gauteng Chapter, DTS South Africa 2026 reinforces its commitment to advancing cybersecurity awareness and digital capability building.

Through visionary keynotes, expert panels, and strategic networking opportunities, the summit will empower leaders to shape South Africa’s digital future with confidence and clarity, driving meaningful transformation that extends far beyond the conference stage. 

For more details on the Digital Transformation Summit – South Africa 2026, visit: https://digitransformationsummit.com/south-africa/ 

As the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) continues to reshape the continent’s economic architecture, infrastructure remains the decisive enabler of its success. Cross-border transport corridors, integrated power pools, digital connectivity networks and logistics platforms are fundamental to unlocking intra-African trade, regional value chains and long-term industrialisation.

The Opening Plenary will bring together senior leaders from finance, development institutions, government, industry and digital infrastructure to examine how coordinated regional investment can accelerate economic integration across Africa.

Confirmed speakers include:

Moderator:

• Duncan Bonnet, Africa House

Panellists:

• Mameetse Masemola, Infrastructure South Africa (ISA)
• Lucy Chege, Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank Group (TDB Group)
• Aymeric d’Ydewalle, Saint-Gobain Africa
• Satu Kahkonen, World Bank Country Director
• Carlos De Almeida, WIOCC

The session will explore how infrastructure investment across transport, energy and ICT sectors can reduce trade barriers, lower transaction costs and enhance regional competitiveness under the AfCFTA framework.

Key themes to be addressed:

• Aligning national infrastructure plans with AfCFTA priorities
• Financing cross-border infrastructure at scale
• De-risking regional projects for private sector participation
• Strengthening regional energy and digital integration
• Public-private partnerships as catalysts for infrastructure delivery
• The role of multilateral and development finance institutions

Africa’s infrastructure financing gap remains significant, yet the opportunity is equally substantial. With AfCFTA creating the world’s largest free trade area by number of countries, coordinated infrastructure delivery is no longer optional — it is foundational to continental growth.

“Infrastructure is the backbone of economic integration,” said Liz Hart, Managing Director, Infrastructure Africa. “Without connected transport corridors, reliable power systems and robust digital networks, the full promise of AfCFTA cannot be realised. This Opening Plenary sets the tone for practical, investment-led solutions.”

Infrastructure Africa 2026 will convene policymakers, investors, project developers, financiers, engineering firms and technology providers to catalyse partnerships and advance bankable projects across the continent.

Find out more: www.infrastructure-africa.com