Access Bank Plc has unveiled its lineup of speakers for the upcoming second edition of the Africa Trade Conference (ATC 2026), scheduled for March 11, 2026, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Following the success of its inaugural edition, this year’s conference promises to gather prominent figures from across Africa and the globe to shape the continent’s trade future.
ATC has quickly established itself as a key forum for discussions on Africa’s position in global commerce. ATC 2026 will feature thought leaders from government, finance, development institutions, and the private sector, who will explore strategies to expand intra-African trade, unlock investment opportunities, and enhance the competitiveness of African businesses worldwide.
The conference will kick off with a welcome address by Roosevelt Ogbonna, CEO and GMD of Access Bank Plc, setting the stage for conversations on financial inclusion, trade growth, and regional integration. The keynote session will be delivered jointly by Kennedy Mbekeani, Director General for Southern Africa at the African Development Bank, and Kwabena Ayirebi, Managing Director of Banking Operations at the African Export-Import Bank, highlighting the evolving financing landscape for African trade and opportunities for sustainable continental prosperity.
Other sessions will feature Tolu Oyekan, Managing Director & Partner at Boston Consulting Group, presenting “Africa Trade Outlook 2026” on emerging macroeconomic trends and sector growth opportunities, while Mike Ogbalu, CEO of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, will discuss leveraging digital payments and technology to accelerate the AfCFTA agenda.
A High-Level Ministerial Panel will include leaders such as Ghana’s Minister of Trade, Agribusiness & Industry Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Botswana’s Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship Tiroeaone Ntsima, and senior representatives from IFC, Deutsche Bank, and Oddo-BHF, addressing trade policy and regional integration.
Ogbonna emphasized that ATC 2026 reflects Access Bank’s mission to connect markets, ideas, and opportunities, helping African enterprises move from ambition to impact and positioning the continent as a key player in global trade. With operations in 24 countries worldwide, including 16 across Africa, the bank is uniquely positioned to facilitate cross-border trade and strengthen regional value chains.
He concluded, “Africa will not be a bystander in shaping global trade. ATC 2026 is where the blueprints for the continent’s trade future will be drawn.”