Africa Financial Summit 2026 heads to Angola to drive African financial integration

Angola is set to host the annual Africa Financial Summit 2026 on November 3 and 4, in Luanda, bringing together more than 1,250 financial industry leaders, regulators, investors and policymakers from across Africa.

The 2026 edition will be the first time AFIS is held in Southern Africa, as the summit seeks to deepen connections between the continent’s financial markets and advance discussions on mobilizing capital, financial integration and digital transformation.

The summit, founded in 2021 by Jeune Afrique Media Group and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), has become a platform for discussions between African financial institutions, regulators, governments and private-sector players.

The programme will focus on ways to improve financing for African economies amid a global environment marked by tighter access to capital. Key areas will include mobilizing domestic resources, strengthening continental financial integration, accelerating digital transformation and supporting the growth of African financial institutions.

Among the confirmed speakers are IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop, African Development Bank President Sidi Ould Tah, Angola’s Minister of Finance Vera Daves de Sousa, DRC Minister of Finance Doudou Roussel Linkunde Li-Botayi, Guinea’s Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget Mariama Ciré Sylla and Gabon’s Minister of Economy and Finance Thierry Minko.

Other speakers include BCEAO Governor Jean-Claude Kassi BROU, West African Development Bank (BOAD) President Serge Ekué, Kenya Capital Markets Authority CEO Wyckliffe Shamiah, Britam Group CEO Tom Gitogo, Wave Mobile Money Group Regional Director Coura Carine Sène and BODIVA CEO Cristina Dias Lourenço.

The decision to host the summit in Luanda reflects growing attention to Angola’s financial sector as the country works to modernise its banking industry, expand capital markets, increase digital financial services and diversify its economy.

The Angolan Stock Exchange and Derivatives (BODIVA) has played a significant role in the development of the country’s capital markets, while reforms and greater openness to international investment are expected to support the country’s ambitions to strengthen its position as a regional financial centre.

“AFIS is now a leading forum for finance in Africa. Few events offer such an opportunity to bring together the entire ecosystem and work collectively. It is both a key and strategic forum, a unique space for collaboration, a place for meaningful discussions on the continent’s major challenges, and an event marked by well-organised, impactful moments.” Said Manuel Antonio Tiago Dias, Governor of the National Bank of Angola.

AFIS founder and Jeune Afrique Media Group CEO Amir Ben Yahmed said the Luanda summit would also provide an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between financial players and regulators across the continent.

“The Africa Financial Summit is much more than an event. It has become a leading platform where regulators and financial players jointly build the future of African finance. This first edition in Southern Africa shines a spotlight on Angola, a market undergoing liberalization with considerable potential. It offers participants the opportunity to forge decisive alliances for the regional economy.”

IFC Vice-President for Africa, Ethiopis Tafara, said the summit would focus on connecting African financial leaders with opportunities to mobilize private investment and support Africa’s growth.

“The financial sector plays a critical role in mobilizing domestic capital at scale into productive sectors, notably through transactions in local currency. By partnering with financial institutions and sharing risk, we can unlock more financing for SMEs and productive investments. That’s where we create jobs.” Added Manuel Moses, Chief Executive Officer, Africa Trade Insurance Agency (ATIDI).

Mary Porter Peschka, IFC Division Director and Regional Director East Africa 1, said the summit would build on efforts to increase private-sector investment in Africa.

“The World Bank Group mobilized a record $112 billion in private capital in FY26, demonstrating what is possible when we connect investors with viable opportunities. At AFIS, the conversation is about how Africa can build on that momentum—deepening financial markets, mobilizing more domestic and international capital, and channeling it into the businesses and sectors that will drive the continent’s next decade of growth and job creation.”

The summit will feature strategic discussions, technical sessions, bilateral meetings and networking opportunities involving banks, insurers, fintech companies, capital markets, development institutions and regulators.

The full AFIS 2026 programme is available on the summit website, while the confirmed speaker list provides further details on participating finance and government leaders.

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