Row rect Shape Decorative svg added to bottom Absa Risk Conference 2026 Register here Absa | Corporate and Investment Banking > Insights and Events > Macro and Risk Management Conference 2026 20 October 2026 Leading Through Turbulence in an Unrelenting Storm Economic uncertainty, geopolitical shifts, market volatility and evolving business conditions continue to test how organisations assess risk, make decisions and position themselves for growth. The Absa Risk Conference 2026 brings together senior executives, business leaders, economists and risk professionals from across Africa to examine the forces shaping today’s operating environment and explore how leaders can navigate uncertainty with greater resilience and foresight. Insights, perspectives and conversations that matter The programme will draw on market intelligence, expert analysis and industry perspectives to examine key macroeconomic, market and risk trends, identify emerging risks and opportunities, and support informed decision-making. We are also honoured to welcome Chris Gardner, internationally acclaimed entrepreneur, bestselling author and inspiration behind The Pursuit of Happyness. Drawing on his experience in financial services and business leadership, Chris brings a unique perspective on resilience, decision-making and navigating uncertainty, offering relevant lessons for leaders operating in an increasingly complex environment. Meet the speakers Who will be sharing valuable insights and thought leadership at the conference Chris Gardner Internationally acclaimed entrepreneur, bestselling author and inspiration behind The Pursuit of Happyness Chris Gardner is an entrepreneur, international best-selling author and an awardwinning film producer. Gardner’s autobiography, The Pursuit of HappYness became a New York Times #1 best seller and has been translated into over forty languages, including six (6) dialects of Chinese and recently into Arabic. Gardner’s book, The Pursuit of HappYness was the inspiration for the critically acclaimed film in which Will Smith received the Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and Academy Award nominations for his performance. His second book, “Start Where You Are” also a best seller was published in 2009. Gardner’s new book “Permission to Dream” was selected as “Book Of The Month” by the Wall Street Journal upon its publication. Gardner has been quoted as saying "though the film 'The Pursuit of HappYness' was released close to 18 years ago, the film is probably more relevant and timely today than when it was released". I say that because since 2020 we've all had ourown 'Pursuit of HappYness' 'moments' and 'experiences'. If nothing else 2020 has confirmed to us all globally the importance of being able to accept, adapt, embrace and expect change. Change is here to stay. One of the ways that Gardner has changed is doing less lecture type presentations to more fireside chat formats. Here the idea of 'in conversation with Chris Gardner' was conceived. This format includes an 'informal' presentation of thoughts, ideas and experiences called from Gardner's life and forty years of entrepreneurial experiences. Frequently asked questions (FAQ's) are combined with questions submitted in advance by the host/ corporation/association and audience. Answering these questions openly and transparently often with 'movie bites' combined and included create a genuine conversation. This format we've discovered allows something very important to happen 'everybody gets to hear first-hand what is important to their audience.' Jonathan Burnett (Welcome and Opening) Managing Executive: Global Markets, Absa Corporate and Investment Banking Jonathan Burnett runs the Global Markets division for the Absa Group. The division has a Pan Africa footprint with Global connectivity through presence in London and New York. Global Markets provides Absa clients with trading, hedging, investment and financing services across all major asset classes. Jonathan joined the Absa Corporate and Investment Bank team in 2010 initially as Head of Credit Trading. In his time at Absa, he has had positions running Structured Trading, FICC Trading & Financial Resource Management teams. Prior to that, he worked in London for the UK branch of ABN Amro Markets division as a Structured Credit & EM trader having spent time in IT, Finance and Risk roles before that. Jonathan holds a B.BusSc degree from the University of Cape Town. Saloshni Pillay Managing Executive: CIB South Africa Absa CIB Saloshni Pillay Managing Executive: CIB South Africa Saloshni joined Absa Group on 17 July 2026 as Managing Executive, Corporate and Investment Banking South Africa. She brings more than 25 years of Corporate and Investment Banking experience across Global Markets and Investment Banking. Prior to rejoining Absa, Saloshni served as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Country Officer of Deutsche Bank South Africa, as well as Head of the Investment Bank for Sub-Saharan Africa, where she led the strategic repositioning and profitable growth of the franchise while strengthening key client and regulatory relationships. She has previously held positions at Absa and Citigroup South Africa. Saloshni is recognised for her strong client focus, broad product expertise and proven leadership across complex financial services environments. She is committed to strengthening the South African franchise, deepening client primacy and supporting sustainable growth across CIB South Africa. Qualifications: UNISA: BCom specialisation Harvard: Executive Leadership program INSEAD: Franchise Leadership program Economic Marjorie Mabambo (MC) Senior Specialist: Corporate Foreign Exchange Sales, Absa CIB Saloshni Pillay Managing Executive: CIB South Africa Saloshni joined Absa Group on 17 July 2026 as Managing Executive, Corporate and Investment Banking South Africa. She brings more than 25 years of Corporate and Investment Banking experience across Global Markets and Investment Banking. Prior to rejoining Absa, Saloshni served as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Country Officer of Deutsche Bank South Africa, as well as Head of the Investment Bank for Sub-Saharan Africa, where she led the strategic repositioning and profitable growth of the franchise while strengthening key client and regulatory relationships. She has previously held positions at Absa and Citigroup South Africa. Saloshni is recognised for her strong client focus, broad product expertise and proven leadership across complex financial services environments. She is committed to strengthening the South African franchise, deepening client primacy and supporting sustainable growth across CIB South Africa. Qualifications: UNISA: BCom specialisation Harvard: Executive Leadership program INSEAD: Franchise Leadership program Economic Nick Nelson (Global Insights) Head of Research Absolute Strategy Research Nick Nelson heads up ASR's Research team, he joined ASR after 17 years at UBS Investment Bank, most recently as Managing Director, Head of European Equity Strategy. He regularly contributes to media, such as Financial Times, CNBC, Bloomberg TV, WSJ, and cross-asset media roundtables. Miyelani Maluleke (SA Insights) Senior Economist, Absa CIB Miyelani Maluleke joined Absa in June 2013 as an economist in the South Africa macro team. Prior to joining Absa, Miyelani worked as an economist at the National Treasury’s economic policy division. Previously, Miyelani worked at the South African Bureau for Economic Research as a trainee economist where his responsibilities included South Africa and international macroeconomic analysis. He is a master’s candidate in Economics at Wits University. He also holds a BCom (Hons) from the University of South Africa. Andrea Cicione Head of Multi-Asset Strategy Absolute Strategy Research Andrea Cicione brings more than 20 years of experience in macro strategy, asset allocation and portfolio construction across the buy side, sell side and independent research. Most recently, he led cross-asset investment strategy and designed multi-asset model portfolios for institutional clients at TS Lombard. Mike Keenan (SA Insights) Senior Fixed Income & Currency Strategist Absa CIB Michael Keenan is a Fixed Income and Currency Strategist within the Absa Research team. Michael has been a sell-side research analyst for the past twenty-five years, holds an Honours degree in Econometrics and has been awarded fixed income and currency analyst of the year at both the Financial Mail and JSE Spire awards for the past six consecutive years. Hemant Desai Head of Client Solutions Group for South African Corporates Absa CIB Hemant Desai has more than 17 years of experience in global markets, advising corporate clients on structured risk management, hedging, funding, and investment strategies across foreign exchange, interest rate, commodities. Prior to joining Absa, Hemant held senior leadership roles at Standard Chartered Bank and Standard Bank, where he worked extensively with leading corporates across the industrials, power and infrastructure, and mining sectors throughout Southern Africa. He is known for developing client-centric solutions that help businesses manage financial risks and achieve their strategic objectives. Nombulelo Sibanda SA Corporate Derivatives Sales & Structuring: Real Estate Sector Lead Absa CIB Nombulelo Sibanda is the Real Estate Sector Lead within Absa CIB's Corporate Derivatives Sales & Structuring team. She specialises in developing risk management solutions with corporate clients, focusing on interest rate, foreign exchange and balance sheet risks, including those arising from cross-border transactions, structured funding and project financing. Her experience spans the Real Estate, Project Finance, Renewable Energy, Healthcare, Leisure & Hospitality and Diversified Industrials sectors. Nombulelo holds a Bachelor of Business Science from the University of Cape Town and a Master's in Management from Wits Business School. Phathu Netshapapame Senior Specialist Corporate Foreign Exchange Sales Absa CIB Phathu Netshapapame is a Corporate FX Sales Dealer at Absa, where he helps corporate clients navigate currency risk through market insights and tailored hedging solutions. His career in foreign exchange has spanned retail, commercial and corporate markets, giving him a unique perspective on how shifts in the macroeconomic environment filter through to businesses and their risk-management decisions. His experience covers FX execution, client advisory and derivative solutions, with a particular interest in the forces driving currencies and broader financial markets. Phathu is passionate about making sense of complex market dynamics and translating them into practical, actionable insights for clients. For him, markets are not just about where the next move comes from, but how businesses position themselves for whatever comes next. Serena McGinn Treasurer Sappi Southern Africa Ltd Serena McGinn is Chartered Accountant with 23 years experience in the manufacturing industry and is currently the Treasurer of Sappi Southern Africa. Serena has experience in Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Regulatory Reporting and 13 years in Treasury. She currently serves as a board member of the Association of Corporate Treasurers of South Africa (ACTSA) and has been a member of a number of committees including a pension fund, investment, treasury and disclosure committees. Serena is a highly driven, disciplined individual with a strong focus on risk management and cashflow forecasting. Ben Hlatshwayo Head Capital Markets and Execution DBSA Treasury Ben Hlatshwayo is currently Principal for Capital Markets at the DBSA, responsible for listed debt, liquidity management and trading. He has 20 years of experience of experience in the financial markets, having worked as an FX and Interest rate trader at two of the biggest banks in South Africa. There after Joined National Treasury as Director foreign debt, Transnet as Manager Structured Finance, before joining DBSA. He hold an MBA from the University of London, an Honors degree in Finance from UNISA and an associate diploma in Banking from the institute of bankers in south Africa. Meet our team of experts Who will also provide insights to help you address opportunities and challenges ahead. Chris Paizis Head: Client Foreign Exchange and International Banking, Absa CIB Opy Ramaremisa Head: Client Solutions Group – SA Corporates, Absa CIB Jeff Gable Chief Economist and Head: FIC Research, Absa CIB Diteboho Khumalo Head: FIC and FX Institutional Coverage, Absa CIB Ryan Hill Head: Fundamental Sales, Absa CIB Agenda 09:00: MC: Marjorie Mabambo, Senior Specialist: Corporate Foreign Exchange Sales, Absa CIB 09:00 to 09:10: Welcome and Opening - Jonathan Burnett, Managing Executive: Global Markets, Absa CIB 09:10 – 10:00: Global Insights from ASR - Nick Nelson: Head of Research and Andrea Cicione: Head of Multi-Asset Strategy 10:00 to 11:00: SA Insights from Miyelani Maluleke, Senior Economist, Absa CIB and Mike Keenan, Senior Fixed Income & Currency Strategist, Absa CIB 11:00 to 11:15: Tea Break 11:15 to 12:00 Panel Discussion: Hemant Desai, Global Markets Head of Client Solutions Group for South African Corporates, Absa CIB Nombulelo Sibanda: SA Corporate Derivatives Sales & Structuring: Real Estate Sector Lead, Absa CIB Phathu Netshapapame: Senior Specialist Corporate Foreign Exchange Sales, Absa CIB Serena McGinn: Treasurer: Sappi Southern Africa Ltd Ben Hlatshwayo: Head Capital Markets and Execution - DBSA Treasury 12:00 to 13:00: Guest Speaker: Chris Gardner 13:00 to 13:15: Closing: Saloshni Pillay: Managing Executive: CIB South Africa 13:15 to 15:00: Lunch/ Networking Related Articles Unlocking your potential with insight and sustainable solutions. RISK MANAGEMENT Five Issues Africa Must Prioritise to Expedite Intra-Continental Trade in a Fragmenting Global Economy There is no shortage of hype around the promise of the African Continental Free Trade Area, often framed as a ready-made substitute for the export markets Africa risks losing under shifting U.S. trade policy. The tariff wave under the Trump administration was a harsh – though in many ways inevitable – lesson in how fragile a trade model becomes when it leans too heavily on a few dominant markets. Read more EVENTS Macro and Risk Management Conference 2025 The Absa Macro and Risk Management Conference underscores Absa’s commitment to helping clients make sense of global volatility and translate it into actionable African strategy. By convening world-class thinkers, the conference challenges institutional investors and corporate leaders to look beyond the noise of tariffs, wars, and economic turbulence — and focus on long-term opportunities for growth, resilience, and regional collaboration. Read more RISK MANAGEMENT JIBAR Reform The SARB’s Market Practitioners Group has endorsed that the South African interest rate market adopts a Credit Adjustment Spread (CAS) estimation methodology, consistent with international practices and based on ISDA’s recommendation. Read more RISK MANAGEMENT Benchmark Reform | Assistance with publications On 29 November 2024, the Market Practitioners Group published three significant consultation papers, based on the recommendations of various working groups. The Read more RISK MANAGEMENT Making the case for East Africa With opportunities for infrastructure development, a wealth of natural resources and a growing consumer market, East Africa is an increasingly attractive investment option. Read more RISK MANAGEMENT Why Africa’s Approach to Financial Risk Management Needs to Change When detached from the intricate realities of Africa’s economic environment, financial risk management strategies that may prove successful elsewhere often falter. Read more EVENT Macro Conference 2022 The Macro Conference is about showcasing Absa’s ability to help clients understand the world around them by bringing together global experts and utilising our thought leadership capabilities. Read more AFMI REPORTS Absa Africa Financial Markets Index 2022 Absa Africa Financial Markets Index has shone a crucial light on the opportunities for investment in the region. Read more EVENTS Macro Conference 2021 We are proud to bring you the fifth edition of our annual Macro Conference, designed to challenge and inspire your thinking. With this conference, we aim to help clients “take a step back” from day-to-day information and focus on the bigger strategic picture as influenced by developments in the macro-environment. Read more
