Investors Eye African "Frontier Growth" as ELISA Summit Convenes in Zimbabwe

Hwange - Pan-African business leaders and investors will gather in Matebeland North, Zimbabwean town of Hwange in March 2026 to pivot the continent’s economic integration from high-level policy debate to practical market execution.

The Enterprise, Leaders & Innovators Society for Africa (ELISA) announced on Tuesday that it will host its 2026 Business Summit, themed "Business Beyond Borders," on March 19.

The event aims to bridge the gap between the aspirations of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the on-the-ground realities of operating across 54 diverse economies.

While the AfCFTA provides a legal framework for a borderless market, organizers say the summit will focus on the logistical and regulatory hurdles that often stifle growth.

"Africa should be further ahead. We all know it. We talk about it," said Elisabeth Valerio, Co-founder of the ELISA Business Network.

"Africa does not lack brilliance or ambition. What we often lack are the forums that bring our ideas together, across industries, borders, and generations." She said.

The summit comes at a time when global investors are increasingly eyeing Africa as a final frontier for growth, yet local founders still face significant friction when scaling across national lines.

The 2026 program is designed to address complex regulatory environments, supply chain volatility and the necessity of locally responsive pricing models.

A centerpiece of the event, the "Beyond Borders Live Pitch," will see entrepreneurs present cross-border ventures to investors for potential catalytic capital, providing a rare venue for direct financial engagement in a frontier market setting.

The summit will be held at the Gwango Heritage Resort, bordering Hwange National Park.

This "wilderness backdrop" is intended to foster focused networking between founders and institutional partners.

The day’s proceedings will conclude with the Enterprise Leaders Dinner, which will honor the 2026 cohort of ELISA Business Scholars.

The ELISA platform was established by the United States-based International Centre for Professional Development (ICPD).

It functions as a multi-sector network dedicated to peer learning and strengthening the enterprise capability required to drive job creation and long-term economic stability on the continent.

Registration for the event is currently open to the public, with organizers noting that capacity is limited to ensure high-level engagement among attendees.