4th Southern Africa Conference on the AfCFTA
This year’s forum will focus on policy alignment across SADC, direct engagement with AfCFTA institutions, and the active inclusion of women entrepreneurs in continental trade mechanisms. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has the potential to revolutionise intra-African trade, attract investment, and speed up industrialisation across the continent. After the success of the 2025 edition, which received widespread positive feedback from participants, MillaSA is pleased to announce the 2026 AfCFTA Policy, Trade, and Investment Forum, focused on strengthening engagement on key issues such as customs harmonisation, rules of origin, digital trade, and gender inclusion.
The conference theme is “Advancing Regional Integration and Trade through AfCFTA Implementation.
The list of speakers include:
- ANATHI MLUNGWANA | DIRECTOR: LOGISTICAL SERVICES | DURBAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
- MS CYNTHIA GNASSINGBÉ-ESSONAM | DIRECTOR PRIVATE SECTOR ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNICATIONS | AFCFTA SECRETARIAT
- JO-ANN JOHNSTON | HEAD OF DEPARTMENT | WESTERN CAPE GOVERNMENT: DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM
- PRISCILLA CHITIMWANGO | TRADE POLICY ADVISOR | GIZ-PROGRAMME SUPPORT TO THE AFCFTA – ZAMBIA
- ALDERMAN JAMES VOS | MMC FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH | CITY OF CAPE TOWN
- AYOLISA NGXABAZI | CAPITAL FUND MANAGER | COEGA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
- ILSE VAN SCHALKWYK | ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL: STRATEGIC ECONOMIC ACCELERATORS AND DEVELOPMENT | DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM
- ALASTAIR TEMPEST | CEO | ECOMMERCEFORUMAFRICA
- WILFRED TSHUMA | FOUNDER AND CEO | SME CHAMBER SOUTH AFRICA
- CAROLINE NG’ANG’A / FOUNDER & CEO /CRAFTS WITH MEANING
- YAMANI SELANA | DIRECTOR IN THE INDIRECT TAX & INTERNATIONAL TRADE PRACTICE | ANDERSEN
- DR GIDEON H CHITANGA | VISITING SCHOLAR | LUDWIG MAXIMILIANS UNIVERSITÄT MUCHEN, GERMANY
- DR NONCEDO VUTULA | CHIEF RESEARCH OFFICER | NELSON MANDELA SCHOOL OF PUBLIC GOVERNANCE, UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN
- PROF JOE AMADI-ECHENDU | UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA
- BEAULAH CHOMBO | BOARD DIRECTOR | IMPACT CENTER FOR POLICY RESEARCH
- ZINHLE TYIKWE | CEO | GS1 SOUTH AFRICA
- DR WILLIE SHUMBA | PRINCIPAL TRADE ADVISOR
- TAPIWA RONALD CHEUKA | FORMER ADVISOR AND MIF, INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE
- PROF. INNOCENT MOYO | SARCHI CHAIR HOLDER| SARCHI CHAIR ON BORDERS AND THE AFCFTA, UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND, SOUTH AFRICA
- DR CALISTUS ABANG | POST DOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW | SARCHI CHAIR ON BORDERS AND THE AFCFTA, UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND
Registration
To register, please complete the registration form which is the last page of the attachment and email it to mlambo@millasa.co.za or you can alternatively register online at https://millasa.co.za/afcfta-2026/.
