Johannesburg, South Africa – April 2026 – Brand South Africa has partnered with the Business to Brand Summit 2026, a flagship Pat on Brands initiative taking place on 16–17 April 2026 in Sandton, Johannesburg, reinforcing a shared commitment to advancing brand leadership as a driver of economic growth, investment attraction, and global competitiveness.
Africa Rising: Building Iconic Brands for a New Era
Held under the theme “Africa Rising: Building Iconic Brands for a New Era,” the two-day summit will bring together leading executives, entrepreneurs, policymakers and brand strategists to explore how organisations can move beyond short-term commercial activity to build enduring brands that create measurable business value.
Strengthening South Africa’s Nation Brand
As South Africa’s official nation brand custodian, Brand South Africa’s support signals growing recognition of the vital role that strong brands play in shaping the country’s reputation, strengthening investor confidence, and unlocking new economic opportunities.
“A powerful nation brand is not just an asset; it is the foundation upon which investment flows and global partnerships are built. From driving investment to strengthening global partnerships, everything begins and ends with a strong nation brand. It shapes how a country is perceived, influences investor confidence, and determines its ability to compete and collaborate on the global stage,” said Ms Mmaphuti Rankapole, Chief Marketing Officer – Brand South Africa.
A Platform for Brand-Led Economic Conversations
The Business to Brand Summit has quickly established itself as an important platform for conversations at the intersection of business, leadership and brand-building. The 2026 summit edition will focus on how African organisations can build brands that are not only commercially successful, but also globally relevant, culturally resonant and strategically positioned for long-term growth.
“Through this initiative, we are intentional about positioning brand building as strategic business leadership,” said Pat Mahlangu, founder of Pat on Brands and convener of the summit. “The Business to Brand Summit is not just a marketing conversation; it is an economic conversation about value creation, competitiveness, and Africa’s ability to produce globally recognised brands.”
High-Level Programme and Thought Leadership
The summit will feature a high-level programme of keynote addresses, executive conversations and practical sessions designed to equip business leaders with the insights and strategies required to build resilient, competitive and future-fit brands.
Featured speakers include Lunga Siyo, CEO of Telkom Consumer and Small Business, who will offer an executive perspective on navigating digital transformation while strengthening brand relevance in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Also joining the programme is Thebe Ikalafeng, internationally respected brand leadership authority and founder of Brand Africa, who will share insights on how African organisations can build iconic brands that remain deeply rooted in African identity, innovation and purpose.
Key Discussion Themes
Key discussions across the two days will explore:
- The role of executive leadership in driving brand growth and long-term business value
- Brand repositioning and transformation in a rapidly evolving digital economy
- Building globally competitive African brands rooted in authenticity and purpose
- The role of brand strategy in strengthening organisational reputation and market differentiation
- Collaboration between corporates, entrepreneurs and the creative industry to accelerate innovation and brand impact
Driving Collaboration and African Brand Growth
By convening C-suite leaders, entrepreneurs and strategists from across sectors, the Business to Brand Summit aims to foster collaboration, inspire bold thinking and contribute to a stronger African brand narrative.
With Brand South Africa’s support, the summit further strengthens its role as a platform for advancing thought leadership around brand-building, while contributing to broader conversations about South Africa’s positioning and the continent’s competitiveness in a changing global economy.
Event Details: Business to Brand Summit 2026
The Business to Brand Summit 2026 takes place on 16–17 April 2026 in Sandton, Johannesburg.
To register or learn more, visit:
https://patonbrands.com/eventer/business-to-brand-summit-2/
