Sandile Shabalala is the Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank South Africa and a seasoned banking executive with over 30 years of experience across top financial institutions, including Nedbank, Sasfin Bank, and TymeBank, where he led the bank’s successful launch in 2019. A graduate of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Programme, he brings deep expertise in retail, business, and SME banking, credit management, and risk oversight. Sandile has served in key leadership and board roles, demonstrating a consistent ability to drive growth and lead high-performing teams. He is also a founding director of Isiphosethu Investment Holdings and Limitless Financial Services, underscoring his commitment to economic transformation and inclusive growth.

The Honourable Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams is South Africa’s Minister of Small Business Development, a role she has held since 2021. With a background in public service and digital innovation, she previously served as Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, where she championed South Africa’s digital transformation and 4IR readiness. Her career includes roles as Deputy Minister of Communications and Telecommunications, as well as leadership in parliamentary committees. Holding a Master’s in Management in Digital Business from Wits University, she continues to drive SME growth, digital access, and youth empowerment, contributing to an inclusive and technology-driven economy.

Mr Parks Tau is the current Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, and a seasoned executive with extensive experience in local governance, economic development, and urban management. He previously served as Executive Mayor of Johannesburg (2011–2016) and as Member of the Mayoral Committee for Development Planning and Finance. With credentials from Regenesys Business School and a Master’s in Public Policy and Management from the University of London, Mr Tau has shaped national and global urban development agendas through leadership roles including President of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), Co‑President of Metropolis, and Co‑Chair of the UN High‑Level Independent Panel on UN-Habitat. He has also contributed to international bodies such as the World Resources Institute, the C40 Cities Network, and the UN Safer Cities Advisory Committee, bringing strategic vision and sustainable governance expertise to his ministries.

Ms. Ipeleng Mkhari is a respected South African business leader and the Founder and CEO of Motseng Investment Holdings, a diversified investment company with interests spanning property, facilities management, technology, and more. Known for her visionary leadership and strategic acumen, she has played a pivotal role in driving economic growth and transformation in South Africa and beyond. A passionate advocate for empowerment and inclusive development, Ms. Mkhari also serves on several corporate boards and is widely recognised as a powerful voice in African business.

Dr Reabetswe Kgoroeadira is currently the CEO of Regenesys School of Entrepreneurship. She was previously  Group CEO and Partner of Beryl Group, an investment holding company owning mining and logistics assets. She currently serves as a board member of Passenger Rail South Africa. Before joining the Regenesys she held various executive positions at Standard Bank and South African Breweries (SAB), including senior management positions at SAP Africa. She was an external examiner in the school of Electrical and Information Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and served as a board member of the UJ-NYDA Institute. She holds a PhD in Economics from Cranfield University (United Kingdom), an MBA from Kent University (United Kingdom) and a BSc Electrical Engineering degree from The University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.

Ms Zydah Manuel is a seasoned professional with 16 years extensive experience in retail banking. Her career journey started at Standard Bank, Absa Bank and now Access Bank (South Africa), which has provided her with diverse experience management, leadership, strategy and organizational culture. She has a passion for helping organizations to find solutions for the customer through the design of customer strategies and product propositions inline with customer needs and market trends aiming to transform the business and driving sustainable growth. She has a qualification in psychology, completed a post graduate diploma in management practice (PGDIP) at Henley Business School and completed her International Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Henley Business School through the University of Reading (UK).