Southern Africa enters 2026 in a complex terrain: while growth remains modest, regional GDP is projected to rise from 3.0% in 2025 towards roughly 3.1% by 2026.
The 2026 Southern Africa Regional Outlook Webinar will convene investors, corporates and policymakers to unpack how the region can break through structural constraints and elevate its growth trajectory. Key themes include:
Mining, manufacturing & industrial hubs: With the global shift to clean energy, demand for critical minerals, localised manufacturing and downstream processing offers new opportunity, particularly in South Africa, Zambia and Botswana.
Energy reform and transition: Chronic power and infrastructure bottlenecks have limited growth; reforming utilities, harnessing renewables and unlocking cross-border energy trade are central.
Regional integration and trade corridors: Unlocking growth through better transport, port and logistics infrastructure, linking landlocked countries to trade gateways, and leveraging regional value-chains.
Governance, fiscal and currency risk: High public debt, policy uncertainty and currency depreciation remain drag factors. The session will emphasise structuring resilience, improving investor confidence and managing risk.
The webinar will focus on how Southern Africa can convert reform and private-sector engagement into tangible investment outcomes.
Moderator
Partner & Head of Corporate M&A Practice | Baker McKenzie
Speakers
Rufaro Mapanda
Head of Equity Trading | Absa
CEO & Head Actuary | Gralix Holdings