The Global Entrepreneurship Congress Africa (GEC+Africa) 2026 kicked off at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Wednesday, September 16. The theme for this year's congress was "Connecting Africa", highlighting the importance of stronger connections between entrepreneurs, markets, capital, policymakers, corporates, and ecosystem support organisations in unlocking Africa's economic potential. Hosted by the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) Africa and 22 On Sloane, GEC+Africa is Africa's largest entrepreneurship gathering.
The congress brought together startups, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, corporates, and entrepreneurship ecosystem organisations from across Africa and beyond. Former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe delivered the keynote address during the opening of GEC+Africa 2026. He highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship and inclusive economic participation in shaping Africa's future, emphasising that small businesses and startup founders are vital drivers for long-term growth and job creation in Africa.
Edna Sathekga-Montse, Group Chief Transformation and Sustainability Officer at African Bank, told delegates that entrepreneurs are transforming communities every day. She noted that Africa does not suffer from a shortage of ideas or ambition, but rather from systems that can keep pace with the people determined to build the continent's future. Sathekga-Montse emphasised that access to finance remains limited, regulatory processes can be slow, and market access is uneven, hindering the growth of many promising businesses.
On the last day of the conference, City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth James Vos said that often what businesses need from government isn't another programme or strategy, but rather for government to work better. He welcomed the renewed national focus on red tape reduction and ease of doing business, adding that innovation in government doesn't need to be complicated. Vos explained that Cape Town focuses support on areas where the city has competitive advantages and potential for investment and jobs.
Minister of Small Business Development Stella Ndabeni delivered the keynote address on the last day of GEC+Africa 2026, outlining a strategic pivot in government policy towards measuring real-world economic outcomes rather than mere administrative output. She noted that Africa possesses the youngest and fastest-growing population on the planet, and that technology can open doors to finance and global markets for millions of Africans previously confined to the margins of survivalism.
Ndabeni emphasised that Africa stands on the precipice of an entrepreneurial revolution, but only if African governments step up and invest in entrepreneurship. She highlighted the importance of building financial systems, markets, and public institutions that can keep pace with the people doing it. According to Ndabeni, the world needs what Africa has, and the continent's greatest asset is not its natural resources, but its people.
The GEC+Africa 2026 congress aimed to connect Africa's entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to drive economic growth and job creation on the continent. The event provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and explore opportunities across borders. Key discussions centred around access to finance, regulatory frameworks, and innovative solutions to support entrepreneurship and economic development in Africa.
Key points
- Entrepreneurs in Africa face significant barriers, including limited access to finance, slow regulatory processes, and uneven market access.
- The GEC+Africa 2026 congress highlighted the importance of building financial systems, markets, and public institutions that can keep pace with the growth of entrepreneurship in Africa.
- African governments are being called upon to step up and invest in entrepreneurship to drive economic growth and job creation on the continent.
