Access Bank Unveils Speakers For Africa Trade Conference

Access Bank Plc has announced an exceptional line-up of global policymakers, finance leaders and industry experts to headline the second edition of the Africa Trade Conference (ATC 2026), a high-level strategic convening designed to accelerate Africa’s role in shaping the future of global trade.

Scheduled to hold on March 11, 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), South Africa, ATC 2026 will seek to enlighten and spotlight the transformative potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), exploring how policy harmonisation, infrastructure development, digitisation, and innovative financing will help unlock Africa’s full trade capacity.

Building on the momentum of its maiden edition, which convened senior decision-makers from 28 countries, the 2026 conference with the theme “Turning Vision into Velocity: Building Africa’s Trade Ecosystem for Real-World Impact”, will have the keynote address delivered by Kennedy Mbekeani, director general, Southern Africa Region, African Development Bank (AfDB), alongside Kwabena Ayirebi, managing director, Banking Operations at the African Export-Import Bank.

Their joint keynote will address the evolving financing landscape for African trade and the strategic pathways for unlocking continental prosperity.

The welcome address will be delivered by Roosevelt Ogbonna, CEO/GMD, Access Bank Plc, who will set the tone for discussions centered on trade transformation, financial inclusion, and regional competitiveness, while Tolu Oyekan, managing director & Partner at Boston Consulting Group, will deliver insights on “Africa Trade Outlook 2026”, examining emerging macroeconomic trends, supply chain shifts, and growth opportunities across key sectors.

The CEO of Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, Mike Ogbalu, will be engaging the conference participants on the topic, “Building a Connected Africa Through Trade, Payments & Technology”, focusing on how payment interoperability and digital infrastructure can accelerate the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agenda.

The conference will also host a High-Level Ministerial Panel that features Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, the minister for Trade, Agribusiness & Industry, Ghana; Tiroeaone Ntsima, Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Botswana;  Florian Witt, divisional head, International & Corporate Banking Oddo-BHF, Nathalie Louat – Global Director, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Dr Isaiah Rathumba – head of Department, Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism and Alfred Idialu – chief rep officer, Deutsche Bank among other policymakers shaping trade policy across the continent.

Speaking on the significance of the conference, the group managing director/chief executive officer, Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna, described the ATC as more than a traditional convening. He noted that, “Africa is no longer at the margins of global trade conversations. The question today is not about potential, it is about execution,” Ogbonna said.

“The Africa Trade Conference is designed as a platform for action, not rhetoric. It brings together the people shaping policy, capital, infrastructure, and innovation to build the systems that will define Africa’s trade future”.

“At Access Bank, we see ourselves not just as financiers, but as connectors of markets, ideas, and opportunities. Our role is to help African businesses move from ambition to impact, from local relevance to global competitiveness.”

With operations in 24 countries globally, including 16 across Africa, Access Bank’s expansive footprint places it in a unique position to facilitate cross-border trade, unlock regional value chains, and simplify the complexities of doing business across markets.

“Our presence across Africa and key global corridors gives us a front-row seat to the realities of trade. It also gives us the responsibility to design solutions that are inclusive, scalable, and future facing. ATC 2026 is part of that commitment, Ogbonna added.

ATC 2026 is expected to catalyze partnerships, enable policy dialogue, and provide actionable strategies for businesses operating within and beyond the continent.

The Access Bank chief puts it thus, “Africa will not be a spectator in the remaking of global trade. We will be one of its architects. ATC 2026 is where those blueprints will be drawn.”