Landmark gathering gets underway with delegates from over 30 countries

The 2026 African Marketing Confederation Conference got underway in fine style in Livingstone, Zambia on Wednesday (23 September) with a packed house of delegates from approximately 30 countries attending the opening plenary. 

This landmark session marked the first time that African professionals from the marketing, ICT and supply chain disciplines have converged at one location for three separate, but concurrent, gatherings. 

Held under the auspices of the recently formed African Commerce Convergence Summit, it unites the African Marketing Confederation (AMC) with the Technology Information Confederation Africa (TICON Africa) and the African Supply Chain Confederation (ASCON).  

This convergence recognises that the three professions are increasingly intertwined and playing a vital role in the economic development of the continent.  

Africa’s future depends on connected markets 

The guest of honour at the opening plenary was Zambia’s Permanent Secretary for Special Duties in the Office of the Secretary to the Cabinet, Mr Wisdom Bwalya. 

In his address to delegates at the Avani Victoria Falls Hotel, he noted that Africa’s future depends on connecting markets, supply chains and technology across national borders.  

Borders are merely lines on a map, he told delegates, and Africa’s opportunities are increasingly regional and continental, which depends on efficiently connecting goods and services with people and markets. 

As such, Mr Bwalya said, Livingstone is a symbolic gathering point for the African Commerce Convergence Summit. As an important border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, it is crossed daily by people, goods and families. 

He emphasised that increasing intra-African trade is not just about governments reaching agreements, but businesses discovering new customers and cross-border opportunities. He called for:  

• More African brands to travel across the continent. 

• Stronger regional value chains and sourcing. 

• Mutual recognition of professional qualifications across the continent’s borders. 

Mr Bwalya closed with a challenge to all delegates to leave Livingstone with a determination to create professional impact across the continent, not just memories of Victoria Falls. 

The conference continues.