Africa Business Forum 2026

About this Event

Join the Africa Business Club at the Stanford Graduate School of Business for the Africa Business Forum 2026, a premier gathering highlighting Africa’s emergence as a global innovation powerhouse.

This year’s theme, “Africa: Taking Center Stage for Global Innovation,” celebrates the continent’s evolution from a resource-based economy to a thriving ecosystem of creativity, entrepreneurship, and technological advancement.

The Forum will feature distinguished speakers and industry leaders from across Africa and the diaspora, offering insight into transformative sectors such as fintech, venture capital, artificial intelligence, and the creative economy.

Through dynamic panels, keynotes, and an entrepreneurship showcase, participants will explore how Africa’s innovation landscape is shaping the future of global business.

Event Details

• Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
• Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM PT
• Location: Oberndorf Event Center, Knight Management Center
• Audience: Open to GSB students, faculty, staff, alumni, the broader Stanford community, and members of the general public.

Ticket Information

Below are the ticket prices. Totals outlined below do not include applicable fees and taxes.

• GSB and Stanford Student/SO: $8
• Stanford Staff: $10
• Stanford Alumni: $15
• General Admission: $25

Ticket sales close on Friday, February 13, 2026, at 9:00 AM PT.

Refund Policy

Refunds will be available for requests submitted prior to Friday, February 13, 2026, at 9:00 AM PT.

Parking

Parking is available in the underground structure at the Knight Management Center. Permits are required and enforced Monday through Friday, from 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM. For details on purchasing visitor parking, visit Stanford’s Visitor Parking page.

Agenda Overview

• 2:00 – 2:30 PM: Registration
• 2:30 – 2:35 PM: Welcome Remarks
• 2:35 – 3:15 PM: Keynote Speaker
• 3:15 – 4:00 PM: Innovation & Tech Panel: Fintech, VC/Startups, AI
• 4:00 – 4:05 PM: Break
• 4:05 – 4:50 PM: Creative Sector Panel: Music & Entertainment, Fashion, Talent
• 4:50 – 5:30 PM: Entrepreneurship Showcase
• 5:30 – 5:35 PM: Closing Remarks
• 5:35 – 6:00 PM: Cultural Networking Reception

Speakers

Keynote Speaker: Emmanuel Lubanzadio

Emmanuel Lubanzadio serves as the Africa Lead at OpenAI, overseeing the company’s strategic engagement across the continent and driving initiatives in policy, partnerships, and ecosystem development. He brings extensive experience at the intersection of technology, policy, and government affairs, spanning the public and private sectors across Africa, Europe, and the United States.

Previously, Emmanuel led Policy and Government Affairs for Africa at Twitter and held positions with the U.S. Congress, the United Nations, GIZ, and the global healthcare company Fresenius. His leadership and impact have been recognized through distinctions such as Schmidt Fellow, Atlantik-Brücke Young Leader, Atlantic Dialogues Emerging Leader, and Congressional Black Caucus Emerging Leader.

Additional speakers will be added soon.

Additional Information

For event-specific questions or additional details, please contact the Africa Business Club at [email protected]

For GSB students, if cost is a prohibitive factor, please reach out to the Student Engagement and Inclusion team at [email protected].

For disability-related accommodations, please contact the Student Engagement and Inclusion team at [email protected].

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Host or Publisher GSB Africa Business Club (ABC)