Standard Bank to Host 2026 Conference on African Markets

Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking will host the second annual African Markets Conference (AMC) from February 22 to 24, 2026, in Cape Town. The conference aims to facilitate engagement between African policymakers and global capital providers, reflecting the continent’s growing importance in global economic discussions.

Building on the 2025 inaugural conference, the 2026 AMC will focus on translating policy priorities into credible investment frameworks for international investors.

Addressing Capital Mobilization Challenges

Luvuyo Masinda, Chief Executive of Corporate and Investment Banking at Standard Bank Group, stated the conference is designed to address structural challenges hindering capital mobilization in African economies. These challenges include shallow domestic capital markets, fragmented regulatory regimes, and liquidity limitations. The conference will emphasize strengthening the financial architecture to support sustained investment flows rather than focusing on individual deals.

Infrastructure and Demographic Trends

Africa requires approximately USD 150 billion annually in infrastructure investment, while current spending is around USD 75 billion, according to estimates from the World Bank and the African Development Bank. United Nations projections indicate Africa’s population could increase by roughly one billion by mid-century, driven by rapid urbanization and increased demand for transport, energy, housing, and digital infrastructure. These trends present both challenges and opportunities for global investors.

Conference Thematic Areas

The conference agenda is structured around five core themes:

Infrastructure will be presented as an investable asset class, with consideration given to public-private partnerships, blended finance, and risk-sharing structures.

Energy transition discussions will examine Africa’s role in global energy security, including renewable resource development and balancing transition pathways with immediate development needs.

Capital market development will be a central focus, emphasizing the mobilization of domestic savings, pension funds, and insurance assets alongside international private capital.

Intra-African trade and investment flows will be highlighted, reflecting progress under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Expected Participants

Participants are expected to include finance ministers, central bank governors, and senior infrastructure policymakers from across Africa, as well as global asset managers, sovereign wealth funds, development finance institutions, and multilateral organizations. Senior Standard Bank executives, including Group Chief Executive Sim Tshabalala, will participate in discussions on market liquidity, capital flows, and policy alignment.

Shifting Perspectives on African Economies

The African Markets Conference represents a broader shift in how African economies are viewed within global financial discourse. The event aims to highlight the diversity of regions, policy approaches, and market structures across the continent, while acknowledging the social and developmental realities that shape economic data.