Ambassadors and Executives Luncheon 2026

Promoting Intra-Africa Trade and Investment

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ABOUT THE EVENT

The Ambassadors and Executives Luncheon forms part of Innovative Entrepreneurs NPC’s broader commitment to promoting intra-Africa trade and investment, aligned with AfCFTA objectives and Africa-led economic integration.

It is an exclusive, invitation-only platform that brings together:

Foreign Embassies based in South Africa
Industry leaders from large private sector enterprises
Senior government officials
Industry associations and chambers of commerce

The event facilitates high-level, outcomes-driven engagement to advance a shared agenda for intra-Africa trade and investment.

Expected Delegates: 200 in-person | Unlimited virtual attendance

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 31 March 2026
Time: 09h00 to 15h00
Venue: To be advise

Three delegates in animated conversation at the Ambassadors' and Executives Networking Luncheon 2026, with Innovative Entrepreneurs branding behind

Diplomats and executives networking outdoors at CedarWoods of Sandton during the Ambassadors' and Executives Networking Luncheon 2026

OBJECTIVES

The luncheon aims to:

Promote intra-Africa trade and investment opportunities aligned with AfCFTA priorities
Strengthen strategic collaboration between diplomatic missions, government, industry associations, and the private sector
Provide a platform for high-level dialogue, partnerships, and deal facilitation
Highlight policy, infrastructure, and market access enablers critical to regional trade
Showcase Africa-led initiatives and legacy projects that drive long-term economic impact

Arlene Wilson-Max, CEO of Innovative Entrepreneurs NPC, mingles with delegates at the networking luncheon at AENL 2026

WHAT TO EXPECT

The luncheon will convene a select group of senior stakeholders, including:

Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and senior diplomats from Foreign Embassies in South Africa
CEOs, Chairpersons, and senior executives from large private sector companies
Senior officials from national and provincial government departments and agencies
Leaders of industry associations and chambers of commerce and their membership
Strategic partners supporting Africa’s trade and investment ecosystem (AU / SADC etc.)

Programme Director Arlene Wilson-Max and a senior speaker address the Ambassadors' and Executives Networking Luncheon 2026 from the podium

Arlene Wilson-Max, CEO of Innovative Entrepreneurs NPC, addresses the Ambassadors' and Executives Networking Luncheon 2026 from the podium

Kutlo Chelemyane of the Consulate General of Botswana speaks at the Ambassadors' and Executives Networking Luncheon 2026

ABOUT INNOVATIVE ENTREPRENEURS NPC

Innovative Entrepreneurs NPC is a strategic non-profit organisation advancing Africa’s trade, investment, and enterprise development agenda.

We position South Africa as a gateway to Africa by connecting businesses, investors, policymakers, and global markets through curated platforms and partnerships.

Our work supports:

Cross-border trade opportunities
SME development initiatives
Public-private collaboration
Sustainable economic growth across Africa

Wide view of the Ambassadors' and Executives Networking Luncheon 2026 at CedarWoods of Sandton, with audience, podium speaker and Innovative Entrepreneurs branding

INDUSTRY PARTNERS

With deep gratitude to the organisations that made this convening possible.

Key Note Speakers

Meet the visionary leaders and experts who are revolutionizing agriculture through innovation, sustainability, and cutting-edge technology

Svend Littauer

Chief Executive Officer, SA Chamber of Commerce UK

CEO of the South African Chamber of Commerce UK and Founder of Entrepreneur Limited. With over 20 years of international business experience, he supports companies expanding between the UK, South Africa, and Ireland. His expertise spans governance, legal frameworks, and HR, with a strong focus on sustainable trade and cross-border collaboration. Known for his strategic leadership and multicultural insight, Svend is dedicated to building lasting partnerships and economic bridges across sectors and regions.

Mr Aamir Butt

Chairman of Innovative Entrepreneurs NPC, & CEO of Pullstream Holdings Limited

Aamir is a technology entrepreneur who has personally coached the Boards of over 120 European companies on their go-to-market and scaling strategies. With experience spanning over 25 years he has built highly scalable business models taking new products to new national and international markets across multiple sectors including med-tech, hi-tech and service industries.

Prof. Rajen Pillay

CEO of Garuda Capital & EXCO Member of the SA Chamber of Commerce UK

Prof. Rajen Pillay is the CEO of Garuda Capital, a boutique Mergers & Acquisitions firm based in Sandton, South Africa, specializing in transactions exceeding $5 million, with some surpassing $700 million. The firm provides services such as deal structuring, corporate finance, capital raising, country entry strategies, distress funding, performance bonds, bank feasibility studies, JSE listings, and other complex transactions.

Narend Singh

Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Republic of South Africa

Hon. Narend Singh, MP, is the Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and the Environment in South Africa’s Government of National Unity and Treasurer General of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP). He holds postgraduate qualifications in Economic Principles, Public Policy and Management, and African Studies from the University of London and the University of Johannesburg, and is currently pursuing an LLB through Regenesys Business School. He played an active role in South Africa’s democratic transition, serving in the pre-1994 National Assembly and later in the first democratic Senate in 1994, contributing to the country’s constitutional framework. His public service includes senior leadership roles in the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government as MEC for Housing and Agriculture, Education and Culture, and Arts, Culture and Tourism, as well as service in the National Assembly, with a focus on social cohesion, education, and governance.

H.E. Dr. Macaulay O. Kalu

Secretary General of the Africa 6th Region Global

H.E. Dr. Onyekachi Macaulay Obasi Kalu is the Secretary General of African Union Sixth Region Global (AU6RG) and a Nigerian-Canadian leader with extensive international experience in business, governance, and diplomatic relations. He is also the Founder and Principal of Dr. Macaulay Kalu Consulting, where he provides strategic advisory services on leadership, organizational transformation, and public policy engagement.

Ann Rutledge

Co-Founder and CEO, Credit Spectrum Corp

Ann Rutledge is the Co-Founding Principal, CEO, and Strategist of CreditSpectrum, a free-market credit rating agency. She serves as a board member of the Fixed Income Investor Network (FIIN) and heads its Education Committee. Ann is also an original member of the Africa Credit Ratings Resource Platform Concilium, an initiative co-sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and AfriCatalyst.

Cas Coovadia

B20 South Africa Sherpa

Cas Coovadia is the Sherpa for B20 South Africa, the official business engagement group of the G20, appointed to lead South Africa’s hosting of the B20 in 2025 by Business Unity South Africa (BUSA). He retired as the CEO of BUSA in December 2024, having led the organization for almost five years. Cas previously spent 15 years as Managing Director of The Banking Association of South Africa (BASA), where he established the organization as a leading voice for the banking sector.

Arlene Wilson-Max

CEO, Innovative Entrepreneurs NPC

Arlene Wilson-Max is the CEO of Innovative Entrepreneurs, a non- profit driving income-generating initiatives and market access for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities across 15 African countries. With 23 years of experience in business development, trade facilitation, and cross-sector collaboration, she also serves on the Executive Committee of the SA Chamber UK, promoting trade between the UK and South Africa. A passionate advocate for inclusive economic growth, she was recently honoured with the SA Chamber UK’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award

BMW South Africa

OUR DIPLOMATIC NETWORK

Ambassadors, high commissioners and chambers of commerce from 14 countries spoke at the 2026 luncheon. Each took the floor under their country's flag.

Botswana

Consulate General of Botswana in Johannesburg

Cameroon

Diplomatic Mission of Cameroon

Canada

High Commission of Canada

Côte d'Ivoire

Diplomatic Mission of Côte d'Ivoire

Eswatini

Kingdom of Eswatini High Commission

Ghana

High Commission of Ghana

Malawi

Malawi High Commission

Malaysia

High Commission of Malaysia

Mauritius

High Commission of Mauritius

Mozambique

Mozambique High Commission

Namibia

Namibian High Commission

Russia

Embassy of the Russian Federation

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe High Commission

Uganda

Judith Asiimiwe, Uganda High Commission

PANEL SESSIONS

1. How B20 & G20 Outcomes Translate into Real Trade and Investment Flows in Africa

Interpreting B20 policy recommendations for African governments, DFIs, and corporates
What Africa’s participation in B20 has actually unlocked (or failed to unlock) in trade, finance, and market access
Bridging the gap between global commitments and domestic implementation
Case examples where global policy alignment accelerated investment decisions

2. Legacy Beyond the Presidency

What makes a “legacy project” stick beyond a G20/B20 cycle
Lessons from past global B20 legacy initiatives
Structuring projects that survive political transitions and funding cycles
Private sector–led models for sustaining trade, infrastructure, and SME integration

3. Accelerating Intra-Africa Trade: The Private Sector Reality Check

Practical barriers to intra-Africa trade (logistics, standards, payments, regulation)
Where AfCFTA is working—and where it is not—through a business lens
The role of large buyers, financiers, and regional champions in unlocking SME participation
Policy versus practice: what the private sector needs now, not in theory

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW (Indicative)

Arrival and Executive Networking
Welcome and Opening Remarks (Innovative Entrepreneurs NPC)
Introduction to the Diplomatic Core and Chambers of Commerce present
Expert Speaker: Launch of the Innovative Entrepreneurs NPC 1000 SME Development Strategy
Expert Speaker: B20 Achievements and Legacy for Africa
Panel Session: Unpacking intra-Africa Trade and Investment aligned to the B20
Facilitated Reflections and Dialogue
Closing Remarks
Networking Luncheon

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Strengthened diplomatic, government, and private sector alignment
Identification of new intra-Africa trade and investment opportunities
Enhanced public–private partnerships supporting AfCFTA implementation
Increased awareness of B20 legacy initiatives and Africa-focused platforms
A foundation for continued engagement and follow-up collaborations throughout the year toward the success of the 15,000 SME Development Strategy

Arlene Wilson-Max, CEO of Innovative Entrepreneurs NPC, co-presents the diplomatic-corps introduction segment at AENL 2026

Arlene Wilson-Max introduces Aamir Butt's keynote on the 15000 SME Development Platform at AENL 2026

PARTNERSHIP & SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Innovative Entrepreneurs NPC invites collaborating partners from the private sector, diplomatic community, and industry bodies to support the luncheon through strategic sponsorships.

Sponsorship Tiers:

Platinum Sponsorship – R50,000
Gold Sponsorship – R30,000
Silver Sponsorship – R15,000
Exhibition Table – R10,000

Each tier provides tailored benefits aligned to brand exposure, executive networking, and positioning within Africa’s trade and investment ecosystem.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Arlene Wilson-Max, Director, Innovative Entrepreneurs NPC
Cell: +27 (0)79 108 0613 | Email: arlene@innovative.org.za

Delegates and partners at the Ambassadors' and Executives Networking Luncheon 2026 in front of the BMW Montana sponsor banner

Join this exclusive convening of Ambassadors, industry leaders, and government decision-makers.