AFRICAN ROYAL CUSTODIANSHIP OF INDUSTRIALISATION

A summit convening Royal Houses, governments, investors and institutions to shape sovereign development across the continent.

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GALLAGHER CONVENTION CENTRE · JOHANNESBURG · SOUTH AFRICA
ABOUT THE SUMMIT

A HIGH-LEVEL CONVENING FOR ROYAL HOUSES, GOVERNMENTS & INVESTORS

The Africa Royal Dialogue is an invitation-only platform that restores traditional leadership as a strategic custodian of industrialisation, heritage and inclusive economic transformation.

DATE28-30 July 2026
LOCATIONGallagher Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa
FORMATState-level protocol; closed-door deal rooms; public commitment ceremony
AUDIENCERoyal houses, ministers, DFIs, sovereign funds, family offices
THE PROGRAM

THREE DAYS OF DIALOGUE, DEALS & COMMITMENTS

A structured program that moves from legitimacy to investment, and from investment to binding commitments.

Explore the full program
DAY 1 · 28 JULY

Restoration & Institutional Legitimacy

Charter, governance, protocol and the SADC Royal Council.

DAY 2 · 29 JULY

Value Chains & Investor Roundtables

Agri, tourism, health, skills and local beneficiation deal rooms.

DAY 3 · 30 JULY

Commitments & Communiqué

Pipeline presentations, MOUs and the Joint Communiqué.

Download program outline (PDF)
DAY 1 · 28 JULY 2026

RESTORATION & INSTITUTIONAL LEGITIMACY

Establish the SADC Royal Council, adopt governance protocols and align with national and regional frameworks.

  1. Opening Ceremony

    Anthems, cultural blessing and keynote address.

  2. DIRCO Protocol Address

    Hosting compliance and diplomatic standards.

  3. COGTA / DTA Alignment

    InvestRural Master Plan and traditional leadership.

  4. Founding Session

    Charter, membership protocol, dispute resolution.

  5. State Banquet

    Precedence seating and dignified cultural performance.

DAY 2 · 29 JULY 2026

VALUE CHAINS & INVESTOR ROUNDTABLES

From heritage to prosperity: curated dossiers, sector deal rooms and Gulf-Africa cooperation.

SECTOR DEAL ROOMS

  • Agri & Agro-processing
  • Heritage & Cultural Tourism
  • Skills & Education Pipelines
  • Community Health Platforms
  • Local Beneficiation
DAY 3 · 30 JULY 2026

COMMITMENTS & COMMUNIQUÉ

Charter signing, pipeline presentations and a 180-day accountability calendar.

  1. Charter Signing Ceremony

    SADC Royal Council governance framework.

  2. Pipeline Presentation

    10-20 bankable projects, $50M+ aggregate.

  3. Joint Communiqué

    Agenda 2063 alignment and SDG commitments.

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KEY OUTCOMES

WHAT THIS SUMMIT WILL DELIVER

Restoration of Traditional Leadership

Royal Houses formally recognised as custodians of sovereign development and industrialisation.

High-Level Policy Dialogue

Direct engagement between Royal Houses, SADC governments and multilateral institutions on priority policy frameworks.

Bankable Project Pipeline

10-20 investment-ready projects, aggregating $50M+ in development finance opportunities.

Regional Cooperation (SADC)

A new SADC Royal Council to coordinate cross-border investment, governance and development commitments.

180-Day Accountability Calendar

A transparent post-summit framework with measurable deliverables and reporting timelines.

Heritage & Value Chain Development

Integrated strategies across tourism, agri-processing, health, skills and local beneficiation.

"Africa's sovereign future cannot be built without placing its ancestral custodians at the centre of economic transformation."

ARD SECRETARIAT · FOUNDING CHARTER PREAMBLE
PARTICIPATION & PROTOCOL

PARTICIPATION

The summit is invitation-only. Delegations are coordinated through Royal Houses, DIRCO, COGTA and partner institutions.

If your institution is eligible, request an invitation or propose a partnership.

CONTACT
General inquiriesinfo@africaroyaldialogue.org
Protocol & delegationsprotocol@africaroyaldialogue.org
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