Standard Bank to Host African Markets Conference 2026, Focusing on Capital Mobilisation for Continental Growth
Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking is set to convene the second edition of its significant African Markets Conference (AMC 2026). This pivotal event is scheduled to take place from February 22-24, 2026, in Cape Town, South Africa. The conference aims to bring together a distinguished assembly of global institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, and African policymakers with the express purpose of accelerating the deployment of capital into the continent’s most vital economic sectors.
Building upon the success of the inaugural 2025 conference, which successfully shifted the prevailing narrative around Africa from one of risk to one of resilience, AMC 2026 seeks to further bridge the gap between policy aspirations and the practical realities of the market. Luvuyo Masinda, Chief Executive of Corporate and Investment Banking at Standard Bank Group, articulated the urgency of the situation, stating, “Africa urgently needs practical measures to deepen capital pools, improve market liquidity, and strengthen regulatory frameworks that give investors confidence to deploy capital at scale.” He further emphasised, “Mobilising capital is not just about funding projects; it is about building the foundation of a more balanced and inclusive global economy.”
The demographic and economic projections for Africa underscore the critical need for such initiatives. It is anticipated that by 2050, the continent will welcome an additional one billion people, with a significant portion of this growth occurring in urban centres. Despite this immense potential and burgeoning demand, Africa currently invests only US$75 billion annually towards its infrastructure needs, falling drastically short of the estimated US$150 billion required. Standard Bank’s AMC 2026 is strategically designed to ensure that Africa’s developmental priorities remain at the forefront of global financial discussions.
The conference agenda is meticulously structured around five high-impact pillars, each designed to drive tangible progress in attracting investment:
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Prioritising Infrastructure as an Asset Class: This pillar will explore innovative approaches to moving beyond traditional aid models and fostering robust public-private partnerships (PPPs). The aim is to transform critical infrastructure projects into attractive, investable assets for the private sector, thereby unlocking significant capital flows.
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Accelerating the Energy Transition: Africa possesses vast untapped renewable energy potential. This session will focus on positioning the continent as a cornerstone of global energy security by leveraging innovative solutions and unlocking this immense potential to drive sustainable development and economic growth.
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Deepening African Capital Markets and Mobilising Private Capital: A key focus will be on enhancing domestic market liquidity, improving regulatory transparency across the continent, and expanding access for institutional investors. By strengthening these foundational elements, the objective is to create a more conducive environment for private capital deployment within Africa.
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Enabling Intra-African Trade and Flows of Capital: In the current volatile global investment climate, deeper regional integration is paramount for attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Africa. This pillar will highlight the importance of leveraging initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to create a larger, more predictable market, thereby encouraging increased intra-African investment.
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Africa’s Sovereign Debt and Cost Sustainability: Addressing the significant debt requirements necessary to meet Africa’s developmental needs will be a critical discussion point. The conversation will be reframed from mere access to debt, focusing instead on affordability, credibility, and structural soundness. This will also involve exploring the development of capital markets in relation to perceived risk premiums.
AMC 2026 is poised to host a high-level delegation comprising key decision-makers from across the public and private sectors. The confirmed participation of influential figures is expected to foster meaningful dialogue and lead to concrete commitments. Attendees will include:
- Finance Ministers, Ministers in Infrastructure Development, and Central Bank Governors from Africa’s leading growth hubs.
- Global Asset Managers and Institutional Investors actively seeking yield and opportunities for sustainable impact.
- Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and multilateral agencies focused on developing de-risking frameworks to facilitate investment.
Senior leadership from Standard Bank will also play a prominent role in guiding the discussions. Key figures include Sim Tshabalala, CEO of Standard Bank Group; Luvuyo Masinda, CEO of Corporate and Investment Banking; Sola Adegbesan, Head of Global Markets for Africa Regions; and Alex Davidson, Head of Global Markets for South Africa. These executives will lead technical sessions focusing on crucial aspects of market liquidity and investment strategies.
The 2026 African Markets Conference represents a unified call to action for both the public and private sectors. It is envisioned as a dynamic platform where the strategic roadmap for Africa’s sustained growth will be collaboratively charted, rigorously debated, and, ultimately, accelerated. The conference’s commitment to practical solutions and actionable outcomes underscores its significance in shaping the future of investment on the continent.
