GEC+Africa 2026 forges connections to fuel entrepreneurship across the continent - TimesLIVE
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.
Former president Kgalema Motlanthe and former first lady Gugu Mtshali pose for a commemorative photo at GEC+Africa 2026 alongside learners from the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation and representatives from some of the congress’s many ecosystem partners. (Global Entrepreneurship Network Africa) 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.”
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.
South African technology startup Deaftouch took first place in the Road to GEC+Africa 2026 Continental Pitch Competition, winning a $20,000 prize. (Global Entrepreneurship Network Africa) The winners were:
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.
The Kumii team launched a new AI-powered platform at GEC+Africa 2026. (Global Entrepreneurship Network Africa) Lasting impactReflecting 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.
