The Africa Economic Leadership Council (AELC) has announced that the upcoming Invest in Africa Trade Expo & Business Summit 2026 will take place take place from 28–30 May 2026 in Swakopmund, Namibia. Positioned at the intersection of opportunity and transformation, this continental gathering will convene African governments, global investors, private sector leaders, development institutions, SMEs, and innovators under one platform to accelerate trade, unlock investment flows, and deepen economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Under the broader vision of advancing intra-African trade and industrialization, the Expo will serve as a high-impact marketplace of ideas, partnerships, and capital, showcasing Africa’s competitive sectors including mining, energy, tourism, manufacturing, agriculture, and emerging technologies. The Summit comes at a pivotal moment for the continent, as Africa shifts from potential to performance. With AfCFTA creating the world’s largest free trade area, the Invest in Africa platform is designed to translate policy into practical business opportunities, connecting investors directly with bankable projects and scalable enterprises across the continent.
Speaking ahead of the event, AELC leadership emphasized that this initiative is not just an event, but a movement to reposition Africa as a unified, investable, and globally competitive market. The summit will feature high-level dialogues, strategic deal rooms, exhibitions, B2B matchmaking sessions, and sector specific forums focused on value addition, local content, and cross-border trade facilitation. Namibia, as host nation, stands as a strategic gateway to Southern Africa, offering political stability, strong governance, and growing investment potential. Engagements are also being pursued at the highest level of government, including with Her Excellency Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, to align national priorities with continental trade and investment ambitions.
The AELC extends an open invitation to investors, exhibitors, policymakers, entrepreneurs, MSMEs, SOEs, Foreign Missions and development partners to participate in this transformative platform and be part of shaping Africa’s economic future Africa is ready. The market is open. The opportunity is now. – newsroom@nepc.com.na