Counder, a distinguished global network connecting visionary leaders, has announced the key themes for its flagship Counder Conference 2026,set to take place in Cape Town, South Africa, from January 27-29. This strategic location and timing underscore South Africa’s and the continent’s growing geopolitical importance, particularly as the nation currently holds the G20 presidency. The Conference aims to sustain this international momentum by fostering private sector engagement and high-level dialogue among 500 carefully selected global leaders.

Under the overarching theme of “Trusted Connections in Cape Town,” the invite-only Conference will convene an elite group of participants. This includes venture capital partners specializing in emerging markets, family office principals exploring tech opportunities, fintech and other investors, and top tech and diversified entrepreneurs from across the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Africa.

Photo Credit: CNBC Africa

The event is designed as a curated extension of the international focus on South Africa, spurred by its role as the G20 host country in 2025, and on the broader African continent. By creating a secure environment for private sector players, Counder Conference 2026 will facilitate the forging of partnerships, exploration of co-investment opportunities in African tech ventures, and collaborative action on emerging digital trends across the continent.

The Conference is meticulously structured around exchange, connection, and collaboration on emerging trends and markets. Its format prioritizes expert-guided roundtables, strategic breakout sessions with industry veterans, and a proprietary matchmaking system engineered to cultivate meaningful connections. While the Conference will address global macro-trends such as AI-driven innovation, renewable energies, biotech, and digital assets, a significant portion of its agenda will be dedicated to Africa-focused tech trends and innovation. This emphasis reflects both the chosen location and the continent's rising global significance. Rather than theoretical discussions, the event will feature seasoned tech operators and investors from the region sharing insights with international attendees.

African technology themes and confirmed leaders in this burgeoning sector will play a central role. South Africa will be spotlighted as the “Fintech Gateway to Africa,” examining its position as the continent’s leading fintech hub and its evolving digital payments infrastructure, with attendees like Michael Jordaan, a fintech pioneer, and Joshin Raghubar, a venture developer, contributing. Nigeria will be explored as “Africa’s Tech Unicorn Factory,” showcasing its robust tech ecosystem and active startup environment, with insights from venture capital investor Kola Aina. Egypt will feature as “North Africa’s Digital Bridge,” investigating fintech and e-commerce opportunities in a tech hub connecting Middle Eastern and African markets, with payments technology entrepreneur Sherine Kabesh in attendance.

Broader discussions will encompass “The Continent’s Digital Century,” focusing on Africa’s mobile-first technology adoption, leapfrogging infrastructure, and demographic-driven digital transformation. Continental tech leaders representing Africa’s most dynamic growth markets, such as James Mwangi from Kenya, specializing in climate technology investment, and innovative energy tech solutions experts like Reyburn Hendricks, along with fintech innovator Johan Bosini, will provide essential insights into Africa's technology-driven future. The event is further supported by a media partnership withTechCabal, whose CEO, Tomiwa Aladekomo, will join the global leaders in Cape Town.

The Counder Conference 2026 will also host visionary technology leaders from around the world, exemplifying Counder’s mission to unite global innovators. International attendees include diverse decision-makers and transformation thought leaders such as Anuradha Das Mathur, an economist from India, Dr Oliver Merkel, a serial tech entrepreneur from Germany with African market interests, Sudeep Ramnani, a sports technology and venture investor based in the UAE, and Andrew Stewart, a venture capitalist from the USA. These leaders, united by an open mindset toward innovation and a willingness to collaborate, will be welcomed at inspiring Cape Town venues, including theNorval Foundation and The German Residence.

Photo Credit: FutureMap Foundation

Technology-focused excursions will further immerse participants in Cape Town’s growing tech ecosystem, showcasing local startup hubs and innovation centers. Michel Weiss,CEO of Counder, highlighted South Africa’s capability in hosting world-class conversations, stating, “While government leaders shape policy frameworks, we believe Cape Town should also welcome the world’s most influential private sector tech investors and entrepreneurs.

” Leonard Stiegeler, Chairman, added, “Africa, with its young, tech-savvy population, mobile-first infrastructure, and innovative fintech solutions, represents the future of global technology adoption. South Africa, as a gateway for international tech investment into Africa, provides the perfect foundation.” Counder itself is a global network that connects visionary leaders to collaborate on tomorrow’s most important opportunities, facilitating over 5,000 trusted connections annually through its invite-only network and four pillars: Conference, Calendar, Connect, and Context.