Standard Bank Top Women Conference 2026 to Amplify Women-Led Growth in Africa, 8–9 Sept, Sandton Convention Centre

Against this backdrop, the Standard Bank Top Women Conference 2026 will bring together business leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers and changemakers at the Sandton Convention Centre on 8 and 9 September 2026 to explore how these challenges can be addressed and how women-led growth can be accelerated under the theme, "Her Power. Africa's Future. Amplifying Women-Led Growth."

Africa, the conference will provide a platform for meaningful discussions on expanding access to finance, markets, technology, leadership opportunities and business networks that enable women-led enterprises and professionals to grow and thrive.

While progress has been made, many women continue to face barriers that limit their ability to participate fully in the economy. Access to funding, market opportunities, strategic networks and decision-making platforms remains uneven.

The Standard Bank Top Women Conference 2026 aims to address these challenges by creating opportunities for connection, learning and collaboration that support women on their growth journeys.

The two-day conference will explore some of the most pressing issues affecting women in business and leadership today, including economic inclusion, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, innovation, skills development and sustainable growth. Through keynote addresses, panel discussions and interactive networking opportunities, delegates will gain practical insights and access to resources designed to help them unlock new opportunities.

The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Hon. Mmamoloko Tryphosa Kubayi, will deliver a keynote address focused on advancing equality through inclusive systems and opportunities. Delegates will also hear from leading voices across government and business, including:

• Hon. Dr Makgabo Reginah Mhaule, Deputy Minister of Basic Education;
  
• Hon. Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training;
  
• Simone Cooper, Head of Business and Commercial Banking at Standard Bank South Africa;
  
• Taelo Mojapelo, CEO of bp Southern Africa;
  
• Akhona Qengqe, General Manager of KFC Africa;
  
• Nonkululeko Dlamini, Financial Officer of Telkom Group;
  
• Dr Shirley Zinn; and
  
• Desiree Ellis, Head Coach of Banyana Banyana.

Leave with a name, not a stack of cards

A business card collected is not a business built. The Standard Bank Top Women Conference 2026 is designed to ensure delegates leave with more than just insipiration. They must leave with meaningful connections, practical opportunities and tangible outcomes. To this end, the event programme is intentionally built to turn conversations into action through:

• Business MatchMaking creates purposeful, pre-arranged introductions between women-led businesses, corporates and decision-makers, meetings set up before delegates even walk into the room, not chance encounters left to luck.
• PitchPower Networking gives entrepreneurs two minutes on stage to convert a room of strangers into customers, collaborators and investors, a clear value statement, delivered directly to the people who can act on it.
• The Pitching Den: Grand Finale of the EmpowHER Summit puts three regional winners, Lesego Seloane of Ronewa Creations, Kiki Sepuru of Afrique360 Solutions and Refilwe Moreno Barahona of Tsogomath Pty Ltd, in front of the room to compete for Top Women EmpowHER Entrepreneur of the Year, not as a spectacle, but as proof of exactly what's possible from where the audience is sitting now.

Simone Cooper, head of business and commercial banking at Standard Bank South Africa, says women-led businesses have a critical role to play in shaping the continent's economic future.

"Women-led businesses are contributing to South Africa's economy and helping to shape its future. By amplifying the growth of women-led businesses, we unlock innovation, create jobs and strengthen the resilience of our economies. Yet, for women to move from representation to meaningful economic influence, we need to create greater access to finance, markets, networks, technology and opportunities to lead and scale their businesses."

Cooper adds that the conference provides an opportunity to move from conversation to action.

For Ralf Fletcher, CEO of Topco Media, the evolution of Top Women reflects a growing need for platforms that deliver practical value, not simply inspiration.

"We want delegates to leave with new relationships, new ideas, practical tools and real opportunities that they can take back into their businesses and organisations. From Business MatchMaking and PitchPower to the EmpowHER Grand Finale, Top Women is about turning connection into action and ambition into impact."

The Top Women Conference is proudly supported by the Standard Bank Group, Telkom, KFC Africa, Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited, MultiChoice, bp Southern Africa, Vouch SA, Sanofi, ENS and Ctrack, alongside the wider network of organisations backing the Top Women platform.

The Standard Bank Top Women Conference 2026 takes place on 8–9 September 2026 at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg.

Her Power. Africa's Future. Amplifying Women-Led Growth.