Standard Bank to Host 2nd African Markets Conference in Cape Town

Standard Bank to Host 2nd African Markets Conference in Cape Town

Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking will host the second African Markets Conference (AMC 2026).

The flagship event will run from 22–24 February 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa. It will bring together global institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, and African policymakers. Together, they will focus on accelerating capital flows into Africa’s critical sectors.

Building on a Shift in Africa’s Narrative

Luvuyo Masinda, Chief Executive of Corporate and Investment Banking at Standard Bank Group, said AMC 2026 builds on the inaugural 2025 conference. Last year’s forum reframed Africa’s story from risk to resilience.

“This year, we will bridge policy ambition and market reality,” said Masinda. “Africa needs practical steps to deepen capital pools, improve liquidity, and strengthen regulation. These measures will give investors confidence to deploy capital at scale.”

He added that mobilising capital goes beyond funding projects. It strengthens the foundation of a more balanced and inclusive global economy.

Standard Bank to Host 2nd African Markets Conference in Cape Town

Addressing Africa’s Infrastructure Gap

By 2050, Africa will add one billion people, with more than half living in cities. However, the continent invests only $75 billion of the $150 billion it needs annually for infrastructure.

Therefore, Standard Bank will use AMC 2026 to keep African priorities at the centre of global financial discussions.

Five Pillars to Drive Investment

The conference will focus on five high-impact pillars:

1. Infrastructure as an Asset Class
The forum will promote public-private partnerships that structure infrastructure as investable assets. As a result, private capital can move beyond aid models.

2. Accelerating the Energy Transition
AMC 2026 will position Africa as a key player in global energy security. Leaders will explore practical ways to unlock renewable energy investment.

3. Deepening Capital Markets
Participants will examine how to expand domestic liquidity and improve regulatory transparency. In addition, they will discuss ways to attract institutional investors and mobilise private capital.

4. Enabling Intra-African Trade
The conference will highlight regional integration as a driver of Foreign Direct Investment. It will also emphasise the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a catalyst for predictable cross-border flows.

5. Sovereign Debt and Cost Sustainability
Leaders will shift the debate from access to affordability and credibility. They will address risk premiums and explore capital market development as a long-term solution.

High-Level Participation

AMC 2026 will convene senior decision-makers from across Africa and global markets. Confirmed participants include:

• Finance Ministers, Infrastructure Ministers, and Central Bank Governors

• Global asset managers and institutional investors

• Development Finance Institutions and multilateral agencies

Standard Bank executives will lead technical sessions. These include Sim Tshabalala, Group CEO; Luvuyo Masinda, CEO CIB; Sola Adegbesan, Head of Global Markets Africa Regions; and Alex Davidson, Head of Global Markets South Africa.

A Collective Call to Action

Ultimately, AMC 2026 represents a coordinated push by public and private sectors. The conference will not only debate Africa’s growth roadmap but also seek tangible commitments.

Through this platform, Standard Bank aims to translate dialogue into capital deployment and sustainable economic progress.