Financial Markets Indaba has announced that the African Capital Markets Investment Conference will take place from 15 to 17 April 2026 at 99 Bishopsgate in London, bringing together a broad range of stakeholders from across Africa’s financial ecosystem alongside international investors, policymakers and financial institutions.
Supported by Old Mutual Zimbabwe as headline sponsor, the conference is positioned as a transaction-focused platform aimed at facilitating capital mobilisation, strengthening cross border market integration and enhancing engagement between African capital markets and global investment communities .
The event takes place at a time when global financial markets are experiencing heightened volatility. Geopolitical tensions, including ongoing conflict in the Middle East, together with shifting monetary policies and macroeconomic uncertainty, have contributed to fluctuations in investor sentiment across major economies. Markets in the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia have all experienced periods of instability, prompting institutional investors to reassess portfolio allocation strategies and risk exposure.
Within this context, African capital markets are increasingly being considered as part of broader diversification strategies. While developed markets continue to offer depth and liquidity, they have also shown sensitivity to global shocks. In contrast, a number of African exchanges have demonstrated relative resilience, supported by domestic demand, structural economic growth and ongoing regulatory reforms. These characteristics have contributed to growing interest in African assets among global investors seeking differentiated risk profiles.
The conference will bring together African stock exchanges, regulators, listed companies and financial intermediaries with development finance institutions, global asset managers, UK and European market participants and members of the African diaspora. It aims to create a structured environment for engagement through a combination of presentations, panel discussions, investment pitches and pre arranged business to business meetings.
Key continental institutions expected to participate include the African Securities and Exchanges Association, the Committee of SADC Stock Exchanges and the African Exchanges Linkage Project. These organisations are engaged in advancing regional integration, improving cross border trading frameworks and supporting the harmonisation of regulatory standards across African markets. Their involvement reflects ongoing efforts to build more interconnected and efficient capital markets on the continent.
Participation from United Kingdom based institutions, including the London Stock Exchange, the Department for Business and Trade and the UK Endorsement Board, highlights London’s continued role as a global financial centre and its longstanding links with African markets. These engagements provide an opportunity to examine regulatory alignment, capital flows and evolving partnerships between African and international financial systems.
African regulatory authorities, including the Securities and Exchange Commissions of Ghana, Nigeria and Zimbabwe, are expected to contribute insights into ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening governance, enhancing transparency and improving investor protection. These reforms are part of broader initiatives across the continent to deepen market confidence and expand access to capital.
In addition, global financial and advisory institutions such as Latham and Watkins LLP, United Bank for Africa UK, the International Capital Markets Association and the Loan Market Association are expected to provide technical expertise on capital raising, debt markets and financial structuring. Contributions from organisations including the World Federation of Exchanges and the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum will offer perspectives on global market trends and governance frameworks.
Several African exchanges have reported measurable improvements in recent years. Markets such as the Botswana Stock Exchange, Rwanda Stock Exchange and Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange have introduced reforms aimed at increasing liquidity, enhancing transparency and expanding investor participation. Meanwhile, platforms such as the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange, Mozambique Stock Exchange and AFRINEX have focused on product innovation and positioning themselves within evolving regional and international financial landscapes .
Diaspora participation is expected to form a central component of the conference. Organisations such as AFFORD UK and the African Business Chamber will facilitate engagement between diaspora investors and African market participants. This reflects growing recognition of diaspora capital as an important contributor to investment flows, as well as a bridge between different financial systems and networks.
The structure of the conference is designed to move beyond dialogue towards implementation. By combining policy discussions with investment presentations and direct business engagement, the event seeks to support deal origination, partnership formation and the mobilisation of capital into African markets.
Financial Markets Indaba, a unit of Emergent Capital Management Ltd, has convened more than 80 high level investor events globally over the past twelve years. Its work focuses on bringing together governments, institutional investors, corporate leaders and industry experts to explore market trends, align regulatory frameworks and identify investment opportunities .
The African Capital Markets Investment Conference reflects a broader shift in how African financial markets are being engaged within the global investment landscape. Rather than being viewed through a singular narrative, these markets are increasingly understood in terms of their diversity, evolving regulatory environments and distinct economic drivers.
As global investors continue to navigate uncertainty, the conference provides a platform for engagement that reflects both the opportunities and complexities of investing across African markets. It also offers an opportunity to advance more balanced and inclusive perspectives on Africa’s role within the global financial system.
