MARTIN MAWAYA
HWANGE—Zimbabwe is set to host the 2026 ELISA Business Summit, a high-profile gathering of African entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders aimed at accelerating cross-border enterprise growth.
Organised by the Enterprise, Leaders & Innovators Society for Africa (ELISA), the summit will be held on Thursday, 19 March 2026, at the Gwango Heritage Resort on the edge of Hwange National Park.
Themed “Business Beyond Borders”, the event seeks to move Africa’s integration agenda from policy ambition to practical execution.
According to ELISA co-founder Elisabeth Valerio, the summit addresses the persistent question of why Africa has not reached its full economic potential.
“Africa does not lack brilliance or ambition. What we often lack are the forums that bring our ideas together, across industries, borders, and generations,” Valerio said.
The summit will focus on the realities of scaling businesses across Africa, including navigating complex regulations, volatile global supply chains, and locally responsive pricing models in more than 50 economies.
A highlight of the event will be the Beyond Borders Live Pitch, where selected entrepreneurs will present cross-border ventures to investors, receiving real-time feedback and potential capital support.
The day will conclude with the Enterprise Leaders Dinner, recognising the 2026 cohort of ELISA Business Scholars and providing a networking platform for founders, investors, and institutional leaders shaping a Pan-African business ecosystem.
ELISA, a Pan-African multi-sector network established by the International Centre for Professional Development (ICPD) in the United States, has positioned itself as a platform to strengthen enterprise capability and cross-border collaboration.
Its flagship events, including the Business Summit and ELISA Confab, aim to connect African founders globally and support sustainable enterprise development.
