Cape Town: Wesgro, the official tourism, trade and investment promotion agency for Cape Town & the Western Cape, marketing at global level, participated in Africa Unlocked 2025 conference hosted by the Standard Bank Group. The agency showcased the power of partnership and innovation that delved into the evolving trade landscape.
Chief Marketing & Innovation Officer at Wesgro – Russel Brueton shared valuable insights on destination marketing in a dynamic session and highlighted the Made in the Cape brand-of-origin and the pioneering CapeTradePortal. This digital innovation is enhancing the scale, speed, and scope of trade promotion efforts, putting Western Cape’s exports in front of the world like never before.
Wesgro also discussed the strategy to diversify both the Western Cape’s export markets and product offerings. This approach is key to building resilience and accelerating export growth in a rapidly changing global economy. Partnerships with the private sector are key to realizing this objective.
The team extended their gratitude to the Standard Bank for hosting such an inspiring event and for showcasing the vast opportunities that Africa has to offer. Wesgro is looking forward to continuing the conversation and exploring new avenues for collaboration and growth.
Africa Unlocked 2025
The Standard Bank Africa Unlocked Conference 2025 returned to Cape Town, as global shifts demand immediate African action. The gathering called economic alliances fracture, digital power consolidates, and climate pressures reshape industries, as Africa faces a historic question: Will it continue to respond to the world’s agenda, or start defining it?
According to Standard Bank Africa, the challenge anchored Africa Unlocked 2025. The second annual business and economic forum hosted by Standard Bank Business and Commercial Banking (BCB), took place from July 09 to 11, 2025 in Cape Town.
The conference is backed by a dynamic line-up of business leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and innovators. The conference returns to drive bold thinking and real outcomes under the theme: Business Shaping Africa’s Tomorrow.
CEO of Standard Bank Group – Sim Tshabalala said that Africa’s economic moment will not arrive by default, it will be shaped by deliberate leadership, institutional strength, and the courage to seize new opportunities and build new networks.
“Africa Unlocked is not just about ideas. It is about execution at scale,” said Tshabalala. After a high-impact debut, observed in 2024, Africa Unlocked has rapidly positioned itself as a premier platform for business-led dialogue on Africa’s future.