Celebrating Innovation and Opportunity

The Global Entrepreneurship Congress Africa (GEC+Africa) 2026 reached a monumental conclusion on 17 September at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). This year’s congress served as a vibrant meeting ground for approximately 2,500 delegates hailing from 56 countries, showing a robust representation of 29 African nations. Hosted by the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) Africa in conjunction with 22 On Sloane, the theme “Connecting Africa” resonated throughout the event, inviting dialogue, connectivity, and collaboration among entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, corporate leaders, and ecosystem enablers.

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The congress brought together a tapestry of ideas and perspectives, reinforcing the pivotal role that entrepreneurship plays in stimulating economic growth, fostering innovation, creating employment, and advancing sustainable development across the African continent.

Building Bridges for Future Success

At the heart of the congress was a compelling emphasis on enhancing connections within Africa's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Innovators were encouraged to bridge gaps with financial capital, market access, and the support needed for growth and scalability. According to Edna Sathekga-Montse, group chief transformation and sustainability officer at African Bank, the congress exemplified the potential of collaborative efforts:

“GEC+Africa has shown what becomes possible when entrepreneurs, capital, markets and public institutions come together around a shared economic purpose. The work now is to turn those connections into businesses financed, contracts won, jobs created and African companies reaching new markets.”

This vision of synergized growth highlights the need to strengthen bonds between the entrepreneurs and investors, ultimately enriching the local economies and enabling firms to flourish.

Insights from the Congress

The discussions were enriched with a diverse range of topics including investment strategies, the transformative power of digital technologies such as AI, skill development frameworks, market access issues, and the significance of cross-border collaborations. Participants delved into subjects surrounding creative industries, venture capital landscapes, and supplier development initiatives, reflecting on the fast-evolving context of Africa’s business environment.

Among the standout moments was the Continental Pitch Competition, which concluded with fifteen selected entrepreneurs showcasing their innovative pitches. This competition came on the heels of several regional boot camps and pitch events spread across the continent, setting the stage for the next generation of African leaders in entrepreneurship.

Spotlight on the Champions

Highlighting the significance of innovation, GEC+Africa’s Continental Pitch Competition rewarded the winners as follows:

  • First Place: DeafTouch (South Africa) - A cutting-edge tech startup revolutionizing communication for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community through solutions like Africa’s first Deaf-to-Deaf call center model.
  • Second Place: Helton Traders (Uganda) - This women-led social enterprise is making strides by converting plastic waste into polyester sewing thread, simultaneously providing opportunities for women and young waste collectors.
  • Third Place: Agrona (Egypt) - A climate-tech startup specializing in turning agricultural waste into low-carbon materials used in packaging, furniture, and construction.

These winners represent just a glimpse of the innovative potential present throughout Africa, showcasing the groundbreaking ideas that can address both local and global challenges.

Unveiling Opportunities: The Launch of KUMii

A pivotal moment in the congress was the introduction of KUMii, an AI-powered digital platform engineered by 22 On Sloane that aims to facilitate connectivity among entrepreneurs and investors. The platform seeks to ease the process of finding capital, markets, knowledge, and resources essential for business growth. Carmen Rudd, executive operations lead at 22 On Sloane, summarized the essence of the congress beautifully:

“This year’s congress demonstrated the power of meaningful relationships formed way before the congress takes place. Relationships that contribute towards creating impact for entrepreneurs and continental collaborations.”

Such digital tools are vital for African entrepreneurs to navigate the complexities of modern business landscapes, aligning them with necessary resources while fostering collaborations that drive growth.

Key Takeaways for Future Entrepreneurs

The conversations and insights shared at GEC+Africa 2026 empowered attendees with practical takeaways to consider for the future:

  • Connecting capital and opportunity: There is a pressing need for greater collaboration between entrepreneurs and investors to broaden access to finance and markets for African businesses.
  • Building for an AI-enabled economy: The focus must be on investing in relevant technology and skills development that positions Africa as a leader in the burgeoning AI domains.
  • Making it easier to do business: Governments play an instrumental role in reducing regulatory barriers and enhancing the business climate.
  • Strengthening cross-border collaboration: Better connectivity among entrepreneurs is essential to tap into new markets beyond their local landscapes.
  • Backing Africa’s entrepreneurs: Solidifying support networks that extend through creative industries, micro and small enterprises, technology, and venture capital are crucial for turning entrepreneurial ideas into fully-fledged enterprises.

As each delegate returns to their nations with enhanced connections, novel ideas, and collaborative spirit, the legacy of GEC+Africa 2026 will surely echo through their entrepreneurial endeavors in the years to come.

The congress has now positioned itself at the crossroads, emphasizing how important it is to unify Africa’s entrepreneurial potential, capital momentum, and market opportunities to cultivate an environment in which businesses can grow, scale, and acquire global market relevancy.