Standard Bank Top Women Conference 2026 Highlights
The Standard Bank Top Women Conference 2026 concluded with a powerful call for systemic reforms to support women-led growth in Africa. Speakers underscored the economic losses from gender gaps and urged sustained investment in education, skills, and inclusive business practices.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The Standard Bank Top Women Conference 2026 wrapped up on 9 September at the Sandton Convention Centre after two days of rigorous discussion and actionable proposals. The event, themed "Her Power. Africa's Future. Amplifying Women-Led Growth," moved beyond inspirational talks to a hard‑edge economic analysis that identified the structural barriers preventing women from fully contributing to the continent’s prosperity.
Economic Stakes and the Cost of Inaction
Deputy Minister for Higher Education and Training, Hon. Dr Nomusa Dube‑Ncube, opened the conference with a stark statistic: the World Bank estimates that between $15 trillion and $30 trillion in lifetime earnings and productivity are lost worldwide because millions of girls never complete 12 years of quality education. She cited McKinsey research that shows Africa could add US$316 billion to its GDP by matching the continent’s best‑performing nation on gender parity, and a Mastercard Foundation study that projects an additional $287 billion and 23 million jobs by 2030 if women’s participation is fully leveraged.
Dr Dube‑Ncube highlighted that the share of Africa’s GDP generated by women fell from 18 % in 2000 to just 11 % in 2022, underscoring the urgent need for policy and practice changes. She linked safety and economic independence, arguing that an educated, economically empowered woman has greater power to leave abusive situations. She also condemned the stereotyping that keeps girls out of STEM fields, describing it as “chauvinism dressed up as common sense” and a costly loss of talent for South Africa.
From Foundations to Systemic Change
Day one focused on building the foundations for women’s growth. Ralf Fletcher, CEO of Topco Media, welcomed delegates, while CFO Nonkululeko Dlamini of Telkom Group and Dr Naledi Pandor, Chairperson of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, delivered keynotes on intentional leadership and the balance between ambition and wellbeing. Sessions explored how networks can be monetised, the role of digital tools as growth levers, and the hidden pitfalls of scaling a business.
Day two shifted to systemic change. Anne Githuku‑Shongwe, UNAIDS Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, opened with lessons from the global HIV response, stressing that lasting change requires coalitions rather than individual heroes. Subsequent panels tackled the future of entry‑level work under AI and automation, workplace cultures that enable harassment, and the transition from funding to real economic participation. CEOs from bp Southern Africa, MultiChoice, Harmony Gold, and Sanofi shared insights on creating structured pathways for women into senior decision‑making roles and building trust‑based cultures.
Concrete Actions and Networking Opportunities
The conference delivered more than speeches. Delegates participated in Business Matchmaking, where pre‑arranged introductions connected women‑led businesses with corporates and decision‑makers. PitchPower Networking offered entrepreneurs a platform to deliver two‑minute lightning pitches to peers, partners, and investors. The Pitching Den culminated in the EmpowHER Summit, where three regional winners—Lesego Seloane of Ronewa Creations, Kiki Sepuru of Afrique360 Solutions, and Refilwe Moreno Barahona of Tsogomath—competed for the Top Women EmpowHER Entrepreneur of the Year Award before a panel of judges.
The event closed with a networking cocktail, reinforcing the importance of sustained relationships. The conversation continues on 3 December 2026 with the Top Women Awards, which will recognise businesses, leaders, and entrepreneurs driving women‑led growth across the continent.
Looking Ahead
Standard Bank, Telkom, KFC Africa, Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited, MultiChoice, bp Southern Africa, Vouch SA, Sanofi, ENS, and Ctrack remain committed to supporting women’s economic empowerment. The conference’s call for sustained, multi‑year private‑sector commitments tied to measurable skills outcomes—bursaries linked to work‑integrated learning, mentorship that becomes sponsorship, and procurement pipelines that open real contracts to women‑owned enterprises—sets a clear roadmap for the next phase of women‑led growth in Africa.
For more information and to book a seat at the upcoming Top Women Awards, visit https://get.topbusinesswomen.co.za/sbtop-women-awards-.
Key facts
- The World Bank estimates $15‑30 trillion lost due to girls’ incomplete education.
- Africa could add $316 billion to GDP by achieving gender parity in STEM.
- Women’s GDP share fell from 18 % in 2000 to 11 % in 2022.
- Sustained private‑sector commitments are needed to translate funding into real opportunities.
- The conference introduced matchmaking, pitch networking, and a final pitch competition.
- The Top Women Awards will continue the dialogue on 3 Dec 2026.
Why it matters
The conference underscored that unlocking women’s full economic potential is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity for Africa’s growth. By addressing systemic barriers, the region can tap into trillions of dollars in lost productivity and create millions of jobs.
Frequently asked questions
What was the main theme of the conference?
Her Power. Africa's Future. Amplifying Women-Led Growth.
Which organizations supported the event?
Standard Bank, Telkom, KFC Africa, Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited, MultiChoice, bp Southern Africa, Vouch SA, Sanofi, ENS, and Ctrack.
When will the Top Women Awards take place?
3 December 2026.
Sources
- [1] bizcommunity.com — originally reported as “Top Women 2026 Closes: Systems, not just successes, must be redesigned for women-led growth - Topco Media”
