Singularity Summit South Africa 2026 is bringing more than 40 global and African speakers to Johannesburg as business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and technology specialists prepare to tackle some of the biggest questions surrounding artificial intelligence and the future of work.

The two-day Summit will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre on Wednesday, 21 October and Thursday, 22 October 2026, bringing together international and African voices to explore artificial intelligence, digital transformation, leadership, investment, entrepreneurship and emerging technologies.

The event is presented in collaboration with Old Mutual, with Google Cloud and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) among its sponsors and UBU serving as metaverse partner.

For professionals interested in the intersection of technology and business, the Summit comes at a time when AI is rapidly moving from an experimental technology to a major strategic consideration for organisations.

🤖 AI takes centre stage

Artificial intelligence will be one of the central themes of the programme.

Speakers will examine how businesses can move beyond experimenting with AI and begin implementing it effectively across their organisations.

The discussions will also consider what the next generation of AI could mean for employees, leaders and companies.

That conversation is becoming increasingly important for South African businesses as organisations consider how new technologies can improve productivity, create new products and services and change the way teams work.

Readers interested in the wider technology landscape can also explore Everyday Mzansi’s Technology section, where we cover developments across AI, innovation, digital finance and connectivity.

🌍 More than 40 voices from around the world

The final programme adds several prominent names to an already extensive speaker line-up.

Newly announced speakers include Felix Cheung, Founder and CEO of Bairong Group in China; Kim Hulett, biotech entrepreneur and founder of Next Biosciences; Shayne Mann, co-CEO of Singularity South Africa and CEO of Mann Made; Ran Neuner, founder of Crypto Banter; Hywel George, global investor and former chief investment officer; Marko Stavrou, a creator economy specialist; and Rajesh Pasungili, founder and CEO of Resolute Education.

They join previously announced speakers including AI specialists Amanda Manna and Dario Fanucchi, robotics pioneer Tilly Lockey, enterprise AI leader Barak Kaufman, digital transformation expert Valter Adão, Hamed Kazim and South African inventor Fana Shabane.

Acclaimed South African poet, author and broadcaster Lebo Mashile will return as the Summit’s Poet and MC.

💼 What does AI actually mean for business?

For many executives, the AI conversation has moved beyond the question of whether the technology matters.

The bigger questions are now:

Where should businesses invest?

How should AI actually be implemented?

What skills will employees need?

And how can organisations prepare their cultures for constant technological change?

Those questions will form part of the broader leadership and business discussions at the Summit.

Mic Mann, co-CEO of Singularity South Africa, says the technology conversation has shifted considerably, with business leaders increasingly focused on implementation, investment and preparing their people for change.

Shayne Mann, co-CEO of Singularity South Africa, says the Summit is intended to give delegates an opportunity to step away from their day-to-day responsibilities and consider the bigger shifts taking place.

The programme therefore isn’t simply about technology for technology’s sake.

It is about what technology means for business, people and decision-making.

🧠 Leadership meets exponential technology

The Summit will extend beyond AI into several other areas expected to shape the future economy.

These include:

• Digital transformation
• Leadership
• Entrepreneurship
• Investment
• Robotics
• Future cities
• Emerging technologies
• Workforce skills
• Business innovation

For entrepreneurs and smaller businesses, these conversations could be particularly relevant.

Technology can reduce barriers to entry, create new business models and allow companies to reach customers in ways that were previously unavailable.

Explore more stories in Everyday Mzansi’s Startups & Innovation section for more on the people and companies building the next generation of businesses.

🇿🇦 Putting an African lens on the future

While the programme includes international speakers, organisers say the Summit will also focus strongly on the African context.

That means examining how businesses on the continent can use emerging technologies to create opportunities rather than simply becoming consumers of technologies developed elsewhere.

Questions around African innovation, investment and entrepreneurship will therefore sit alongside discussions about AI and digital transformation.

This is particularly relevant for South Africa, where entrepreneurs and technology companies are increasingly exploring opportunities in areas such as financial technology, artificial intelligence, education, healthcare and digital services.

For more stories on innovation across the continent, readers can visit Everyday Mzansi’s Africa section.

🎤 It’s not just about sitting in a conference room

If the thought of two days of presentations sounds a little too corporate, there’s good news.

The programme will include keynote presentations, panel discussions, AI workshops and masterclasses, giving delegates opportunities to develop practical skills.

There will also be an interactive expo showcasing emerging technologies and innovations.

And, naturally, there will be networking.

Delegates will have opportunities to connect with speakers, executives, entrepreneurs and other professionals attending the Summit.

For anyone working in technology, finance, business development or innovation, that networking component could prove just as valuable as the sessions themselves.

👥 People remain at the centre

One of the more interesting themes running through the Summit is the relationship between technology and people.

Celiwe Ross, Group Chief Human Capital and Corporate Affairs Officer at Old Mutual, argues that the future will not be defined by technology alone.

Instead, she says, organisations need to consider how they equip people and cultures to adapt to change.

That perspective is particularly important as companies introduce AI into workplaces.

The conversation isn’t simply about which software to buy.

It is also about skills, leadership, culture and human potential.

🚀 Why this matters for South African businesses

South African companies are operating in an environment where digital transformation is no longer a future concept.

Consumers increasingly expect digital services.

Employees are working with AI-powered tools.

Entrepreneurs can build businesses around technologies that didn’t exist a few years ago.

And established companies are having to reconsider how they compete.

That makes events such as Singularity Summit South Africa 2026 useful platforms for businesses trying to understand what comes next.

For SMEs in particular, staying informed about emerging technologies could make the difference between simply reacting to change and finding opportunities within it.

Our Everyday Mzansi Business section covers companies, entrepreneurship, investment and the wider South African economy.

📅 Get ready for October

With the full programme now unveiled, the countdown to 21 October is officially on.

More than 40 speakers will take part across two days, with AI, leadership, investment, entrepreneurship and digital transformation expected to dominate the conversation.

The bigger question, however, is what delegates do with what they learn.

Because hearing about the future is one thing.

Building for it is another.

For more information, programme updates and tickets, visit the official Singularity Summit South Africa website.

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📊 SUMMIT AT A GLANCE

Event: Singularity Summit South Africa 2026

Dates: Wednesday, 21 October – Thursday, 22 October 2026

Venue: Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg

Speakers: 40+

Key themes: AI, leadership, investment, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, robotics and future cities

Format: Keynotes, panels, workshops, masterclasses, expo and networking

Partners: Old Mutual, Google Cloud, Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and UBU