Business leaders from across Southern Africa and beyond are gathering at the 13th CEO Dialogue on Southern Africa in Johannesburg on 12 and 13 November to discuss how Africa can catalyse economic growth and finance development at a time of geopolitical volatility, energy supply shocks, trade disputes and technology-driven disruption.

Organised by The European House – Ambrosetti (TEHA), the summit brings together around 200 chief executives, government ministers, central bank governors, investors and economists. The political and business leaders will discuss how South Africa and the wider region can navigate the challenges of soaring energy costs following the outbreak of war in the Middle East early this year.

The event will also put the spotlight on how domestic capital can be mobilised to finance infrastructure development and support economic growth. CEOs will discuss the role of private sector champions in South Africa and the rest of the continent in building infrastructure, facilitating regional trade, harvesting windfalls from a booming commodities market and creating jobs. 

“The 2026 edition of the CEO Dialogue comes as Africa continues to gain strategic importance on the global economic stage,” said Pietro Mininni, CEO of TEHA Africa. “An influential community of leaders will gather to discuss the complex challenges African governments and private sector organisations face in these times of disruption and how European and African leaders can work together to unleash the continent’s full potential.”

Last year’s Dialogue took place on the margins of the G20 Leaders’ Meeting in Johannesburg, with leaders from across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Italy signing a CEO Manifesto committing to aiding Africa’s economic development. The Manifesto covered 10 strategic priorities for leaders in attendance, including energy, mining, regional trade integration, SME financing and digital transformation.

The 13th CEO Dialogue will build on last year’s work to further strengthen cooperation between Europe and Africa to pursue common interests and to jointly address the challenges of an increasingly fragmented and unstable global order. It will also focus on how private sector investment can help boost employment, infrastructure and production in South Africa and the rest of the continent.

Johannesburg in focus

As South Africa’s financial and commercial capital, and a key economic hub in Africa, Johannesburg’s economic performance is pivotal to the country’s growth prospects and the wider continent’s economic fortunes. For this reason, TEHA is working to have Johannesburg’s new mayor attend as part of a dedicated focus on the city, a week after South Africans vote in the local government elections on 4 November.

“Johannesburg’s established infrastructure, large pool of workers and world-class companies play an important role in attracting investment to South Africa and the wider region,” said Mininni. “We will have a dedicated session that focuses on how urban renewal, infrastructure investment and cooperation between the public and private sectors can strengthen the city’s standing as an investment destination.”

GGDA and TEHA renew partnership for three years

TEHA is a leading private think tank in Italy, ranked among the top four in Europe and the top twenty globally. The initiative is hosted in collaboration with the Gauteng Province, through the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA), as a cornerstone public sector partner. TEHA and the GGDA will sign an agreement on 10 November to renew their decade long partnership and continue hosting the CEO Dialogue in Johannesburg for a further three years following this year’s event.

Nhlanhla Nene, Chairman of TEHA Africa and South Africa’s former Minister of Finance, said: “Recent economic, political, technological, demographic and climate changes are creating new perspectives and challenges for Africa and Europe alike. The CEO Dialogue creates a platform for top-level business and institutional leaders to facilitate cooperation across both continents.”

“The CEO Dialogue on Southern Africa is instrumental for our province as we strengthen Gauteng’s role as South Africa’s strategic hub for trade and investment. Building bridges between Gauteng and Europe’s leading industries is not only about attracting capital, but also about investing in shared prosperity. Our long-standing partnership with Italy continues to yield tangible results, from the Chamdor Automotive Hub to the AIDC Trade Test Centre. These projects show how collaboration can drive skills development, industrial growth, and inclusive transformation. Through this platform, we reaffirm our commitment to deepening bilateral partnerships that position Gauteng as the gateway to Africa’s next wave of innovation and sustainable industrialisation.” added Sthembiso Dlamini, Group CEO, Gauteng Growth and Development Agency.

Echoing these sentiments, Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Agriculture and Rural Development, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa said “The CEO Dialogue provides an important platform to strengthen government and private-sector collaboration, attract investment and accelerate economic growth. Through partnerships with business leaders across Africa and Europe, we aim to position Gauteng as a leading investment destination while creating sustainable jobs and meaningful economic opportunities for our people.”

In addition, TEHA has partnered with a selection of high-level international and African partners, including Alstom, Old Mutual, BASF, BofA Securities, Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa, Italian Trade Agency, Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Eco Africa Energy, Italtile, BBM Law and African Exploration Mining and Finance Corporation, who share the vision and objectives of the summit:

“For an institution like Old Mutual, which has been part of Africa’s economic story for generations, the question is not simply where growth will come from, but how we help create the conditions for it. Africa’s next phase of growth will require us to make better use of the resources and capabilities we already have on the continent. That means mobilising domestic capital more effectively, directing long-term investment towards productive opportunities and creating the conditions for businesses to invest and grow. For Old Mutual, this is about contributing to economies that are stronger, more resilient and able to create opportunity for more people,” said Jurie Strydom, Group Chief Executive Officer of Old Mutual.

Alstom Group Chief Executive Officer, Martin SION added "Economic growth, industrial development and regional integration all depend on the ability to move people and goods efficiently and sustainably. Across Southern Africa, the opportunity to modernise transport infrastructure is significant. We look forward to contributing at this important forum which brings together decisionmakers from business, government and finance to translate ambition into action. At Alstom, we believe that rail is central to a more connected, competitive and sustainable future, and we remain committed to supporting Africa's long-term development through innovation, investment and partnership.”

“For 60 years, BASF has been part of South Africa’s industrial journey, driven by our belief in the power of chemistry to create solutions, unlock opportunities and contribute to economic growth. We remain deeply committed to South Africa and the wider region, and our ambition is to continue innovating and growing alongside our customers and partners for generations to come. Realising this potential requires a predictable, competitive and enabling business environment—one that encourages investment, supports local manufacturing and allows industry to compete and thrive. When business, associations and government work together to address the challenges and unlock opportunities, we can create lasting value not only for companies, but also for South Africa’s economy, its industries and its people,” said Wojciech Kulma, CEO, BASF South Africa Chief Executive Officer.

Confirmed speakers this year include:

·        Enoch Godongwana (Minister of Finance, Republic of South Africa)

·        Vuyiswa Ramokgopa (MEC for Economic Development and Agriculture and Rural Development, Gauteng Province)

·        Jurie Strydom (CEO, Old Mutual)

·        Martin Sion (Global CEO, Alstom)

·        John Mushayavanhu (Governor, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe)

·        Russel Baatjies (CEO, Transnet Freight Rail)

·        Jacko Maree (former CEO, Standard Bank)

·        Anthony Knox (South Africa Country Executive, Bank of America)

·        Marco Rusconi (Executive Director, Italian Agency for Development Cooperation)

·        Roger Jardine (Chairman, Old Mutual)

·        Nhlanhla Nene (Chairman, TEHA Africa; Chairman, Financial and Fiscal Commission; Former Minister of Finance, Republic of South Africa)

·        Michelle Gavin (Senior Fellow for Africa Studies, Council on Foreign Relations)

·        Wojciech Kulma (CEO, BASF South Africa)

·        Maurizio Mariano (Deputy Chairman, TEHA Africa; Co-founder and Director of BBM Law)

·        Phuti Mahanyele-Dabengwa (CEO, Naspers South Africa)

·        Sthembiso Dlamini (Group Chief Executive Officer, Gauteng Growth and Development Agency – GGDA)

·        Sandile Dube (Managing Director South Africa, Equinix)

·        Enrico Letta (EU Rapporteur on the Future of the Single Market; Former Prime Minister, Italy; Dean, IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs)

·        Martin Vaujour (President Africa, Middle East and Central Asia, Alstom)

·        Alvin Botes (Deputy Minister for International Relations and Cooperation, Republic of South Africa)

·        Tseke Nkadimeng (Founder and CEO, Eco Africa Energy; CEO, Bouvest)

·        Kahenge S. Haulofu (Managing Director, NamPower)