Some of Africa’s most influential government leaders, policymakers, investors and business executives will gather in Johannesburg from 6–8 August 2026 for the 4th DLO African Women in Leadership Summit. Held under the theme “Connecting Capital to Opportunity Across Africa,” the three-day Summit will focus on mobilising investment, strengthening regional trade, advancing industrialisation, improving energy security and creating commercially sustainable opportunities for African businesses and entrepreneurs.

Hosted by DLO Energy Group, in strategic partnership with UN South Africa and with Bloomberg as media partner, the Summit has developed into an important pan-African platform connecting government, business, development finance institutions, investors, entrepreneurs and project developers. Unlike traditional conferences, the DLO African Women in Leadership Summit is designed to move beyond discussion. Its purpose is to create direct access to decision-makers, facilitate commercially relevant introductions and provide a platform through which partnerships, investments and transactions can be advanced.

This year’s programme features senior government and institutional leaders whose portfolios sit at the centre of Africa’s economic growth agenda. Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, will address South Africa’s evolving electricity market and the investment required to support the country’s energy transition. Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, will focus on industrialisation, intra-African trade and the participation of women-led businesses in regional value chains under the African Continental Free Trade Area.H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, will address the implementation of the AfCFTA and the practical steps required to convert the agreement into meaningful commercial opportunities for African businesses.

His contribution will explore how regional integration, investment, industrialisation and stronger cross-border value chains can expand access to markets and position African enterprises, including women-led businesses, to compete at continental and global levels. Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, will lead discussions on strengthening healthcare systems, expanding innovation and mobilising partnerships to improve health outcomes across Africa. Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Bertha Peace Mabe, will address the commercial potential of Africa’s creative economy and the role of culture, intellectual property, innovation and storytelling in sustainable economic growth.

The Summit has also confirmed Precious Mmabakwena Edward, the first woman appointed to lead South Africa’s Independent Power Producers Office, as a speaker. Her participation comes at an important moment for South Africa’s energy market, as the country seeks to accelerate the procurement of new generation capacity, battery storage and transmission infrastructure while converting awarded projects into operational assets.

Senior representatives from the Dangote Group, one of Africa’s largest and most influential industrial conglomerates, will contribute to discussions on regional trade, industrial development, infrastructure, energy, investment and the growth of globally competitive African enterprises.

Other participating organisations include Ninety One, Discovery Green, PetroSA, AstraZeneca, the Development Bank of Southern Africa, NERSA, Africa Rainbow Energy, ACWA Power, Edge Growth, Roche and Mulilo, among others.

Speaking ahead of the Summit, Linda Mabhena-Olagunju, founder and convenor of the DLO African Women in Leadership Summit, said:

“Africa’s businesses need regional integration to achieve scale, and women need meaningful access to the capital, markets and decision-makers that enable businesses to grow. We cannot advance women’s economic participation by creating echo chambers in which women speak only to one another. Men must be part of the conversation and part of the solution. This Summit brings both women and men into the same room to build partnerships, unlock investment and create opportunities for women to win contracts, close deals and participate fully in Africa’s growth.”

The programme begins on Thursday, 6 August, with the flagship Business and Leadership Summit at Webber Wentzel in Sandton. The day will feature keynote addresses, executive fireside discussions, strategic panels and investment conversations focused on unlocking capital across the continent.

Discussions will cover South Africa’s energy investment pipeline, financing Africa’s industrial future, scaling African technology businesses, strengthening healthcare systems, advancing manufacturing, supporting entrepreneurs, accelerating infrastructure development and using the AfCFTA to build competitive regional value chains. On Friday, 7 August, the programme moves into invitation-only executive engagements across Johannesburg, including investor roundtables and executive leadership lunches. These engagements are designed to create focused opportunities for investors, entrepreneurs, corporate leaders and policymakers to develop relationships and explore potential transactions.

The Summit concludes on Saturday, 8 August, with the Creative Economy Brunch at Shepstone Gardens. The programme will bring together leaders from business, fashion, music, tourism, communications, media and design to explore how investment, intellectual property and strategic partnerships can unlock the commercial value of Africa’s creative industries. The Summit will also welcome H.E. Dr Richard A. Nixon, Ambassador for the Government of Grenada, reflecting the growing importance of deeper commercial, diplomatic and investment relationships between Africa, the Caribbean and the wider Global South.

The Summit is expected to attract senior executives, investors, development finance institutions, policymakers, diplomats, multinational corporations, entrepreneurs, SMEs, business associations and emerging leaders from across Africa and beyond.

Event details

Event: 4th DLO African Women in Leadership Summit
Theme: Connecting Capital to Opportunity Across Africa
Dates: 6–8 August 2026
Day 1: Business and Leadership Summit – Webber Wentzel, Sandton
Day 2: Invitation-Only Executive Networking Experiences – Johannesburg
Day 3: Creative Economy Brunch – Shepstone Gardens, Johannesburg