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On 19 March 2026 in Hwange, Zimbabwe, the Enterprise Leaders & Innovators Society for Africa (ELISA) convenes the 2026 ELISA Business Summit, bringing together entrepreneurs alongside institutional and investment partners focused on long term growth across African markets.
Under the theme Business Beyond Borders, the Summit responds to a changing trade landscape as Africa’s markets become increasingly connected, creating new opportunities for enterprises that are prepared and well positioned. Supported by our Titan and Catalyst Partners, the forum welcomes businesses at every stage, alongside the organisations, trade bodies, and institutions that support enterprise growth across the continent. Discussions focus on cross border operations, trade frameworks, leadership, and the practical realities of growth within Africa’s evolving economic environment. Those positioning themselves within Africa’s expanding markets should be in this room.
Under the theme Business Beyond Borders, the Summit responds to a changing trade landscape as Africa’s markets become increasingly connected, creating new opportunities for enterprises that are prepared and well positioned. Supported by our Titan and Catalyst Partners, the forum welcomes businesses at every stage, alongside the organisations, trade bodies, and institutions that support enterprise growth across the continent. Discussions focus on cross border operations, trade frameworks, leadership, and the practical realities of growth within Africa’s evolving economic environment. Those positioning themselves within Africa’s expanding markets should be in this room.
Schedule
Pre conference activities! Come prepared.
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Pre-Summit Arrival, Registration & Badge Collection
Delegates arriving on Wednesday may collect their Summit badges and registration materials in advance, ensuring a smooth start to Thursday’s sessions. At 3pm, registered participants may choose eith ...
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
From Soil to Secondary Markets Discussion
The discussion on the agriculture industry serves as a strategic bridge between trade policy and the practical realities of Pan-African agribusiness, moving the "Business Beyond Borders" theme from th ...
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Gobelo Farm Tour
The Gobelo Farm Tour is an optional activity for registered Summit delegates. It departs from the Front Desk at Gwango Heritage Resort at 3pm, concluding at 6pm. This guided visit introduces participa ...
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Opening Dinner & Informal Exchange
A dinner for registered delegates provides an opportunity to build early connections and engage in informal dialogue ahead of Thursday’s sessions.
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Summit Registration & Check-in
Registration and badge collection will take place from 7am to 9am prior to the opening session, providing delegates with time to complete check-in and settle into the Summit environment.
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Welcome Breakfast
A welcome breakfast will be served prior to the opening session, providing delegates with an opportunity for early connection and informal exchange.
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Welcome Remarks & Opening Keynote
The Summit formally opens with brief welcome remarks, followed by the Opening Keynote setting the strategic context for the day. The address frames the realities of operating across increasingly conne ...
Peter Ndoro
Ratang Dijeng
Elisabeth Valerio
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Crossing Borders in African Markets - Challenges & Opportunities
This high-level plenary examines the practical realities of expanding across African markets within an evolving continental trade environment. The discussion will address regulatory complexity, supply ...
Peter Ndoro
Stephene Chikozho
Lebogang Letsoalo
Dr Darius Walker
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Networking Interval
An opportunity for delegates to connect, continue discussions, and engage informally over refreshments.
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Business Models & Value Propositions
This masterclass explores the foundations of commercially viable enterprise. Participants will examine how to structure sustainable business models, define clear value propositions, and align products ...
Thobekile Shoko
Liz Jones
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sales Strategies, Pricing, Revenue Models & Expansion Opportunities
This session examines the commercial architecture required for sustained growth across African markets. Discussions will focus on pricing discipline, revenue structuring, distribution strategy, and th ...
Peter Ndoro
Nigel Chanakira
Thomas Hallin
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM
Customer Segmentation, Targeting & Market Validation
This masterclass focuses on identifying and prioritising the right customers for sustainable growth. Participants will examine how to define clear target segments, test assumptions against real market ...
Terrence Mugova
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Supply Chain Strategy for Regional & Global Markets
This session examines the infrastructure and coordination required to move products beyond local markets into regional and global channels. Discussion will address sourcing strategy, logistics managem ...
Peter Ndoro
Lebogang Letsoalo
Samira Rami
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
Marketing, Branding and Competitive Positioning in African Markets
This masterclass examines how emerging enterprises can position themselves distinctly within increasingly competitive African markets. Participants will explore disciplined branding, market differenti ...
Thobekile Shoko
Joseph Simukoko
1:00 PM - 2:15 PM
Networking Lunch
Delegates will gather for lunch, continued dialogue and professional exchange in a networking environment while selected speakers and participants participate in scheduled media interviews. The lunch ...
2:15 PM - 2:30 PM
Continental Invocation by Albert Nyathi
In this powerful poetic invocation, renowned African poet Albert Nyathi re-anchors the Summit in Africa’s long arc of possibility.
This is a moment of reflection and re-commitment. Through langua ...
This is a moment of reflection and re-commitment. Through langua ...
Albert Nyathi
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Financing Growth Across Borders – Capital Discipline, Risk & Investment Architecture
This plenary examines the capital architecture required to support serious enterprise expansion across African markets. Rather than treating funding as a transaction, the discussion will explore the d ...
Peter Ndoro
Tinotenda Kambasha
Ratang Dijeng
David Gate
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Policy Harmonization and the AfCFTA Advantage
This session examines how evolving trade frameworks are shaping market access across African markets. The discussion will explore policy alignment, regulatory coordination, and the practical implicati ...
Peter Ndoro
Tapera Mugoriya
Tsonam Akpeloo
4:45 PM - 5:45 PM
Beyond Borders Live Pitch
Selected participants will present four-minute pitches outlining their business models, market positioning, and cross-border growth strategies. A panel of investors and industry leaders will provide s ...
Terrence Mugova
5:45 PM - 6:00 PM
Closing Reflections & Key Takeaways
The Summit concludes with a structured synthesis of the day’s discussions, highlighting key insights and reinforcing the strategic themes that emerged across sessions. This closing segment aligns pa ...
6:45 PM - 9:30 PM
Enterprise Leaders Dinner
An invitation-only gathering recognising Africa’s emerging enterprise leaders. The Enterprise Leaders Dinner convenes selected entrepreneurs, investors, and institutional partners from across the co ...
Speakers
Partners
