When and where: 3 Nov 2026, Cape Town, Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC)
The One Young World Summit, a global gathering of young leaders, comes to Cape Town from 3 to 6 November 2026, with sessions at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) and the opening ceremony at Green Point Athletic Stadium.
This is the first time the summit has been held in Africa since Johannesburg hosted it in 2013. It also falls in the year South Africa marks 50 years since the 1976 Soweto Youth Uprising, and organisers say the event will honour that history while celebrating young people who are making change through innovation, entrepreneurship and bold action.
One Young World describes Cape Town as a business-friendly city and a gateway between emerging and developed markets, adding that it attracts more than 8 million international visitors a year. Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has welcomed the summit, highlighting the role young South Africans are playing in starting businesses and growing the economy.
The event suits young leaders, founders and changemakers who want to connect with peers from around the world. Anyone interested can register their interest on the Future Summits page of the One Young World website, which also links to information on applying to attend and on scholarships. After Cape Town, the summit heads to the Tokyo International Forum in Japan from 28 September to 1 October 2027.
