“Exceptional, Thought-Provoking, Energising”- GC Forum | Governance, Risk & Compliance Returns in 2026

Following the resounding success of the inaugural GC Forum | Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) in 2025, praised by attendees as “exceptional”, “thought-provoking”, and “energising”, the exclusive platform for in-house legal leaders and key stakeholders will return to Johannesburg on 7 October 2026. 

“Africa’s commercial and regulatory landscape is evolving at pace,” says Wendy Bampton, co-founder of Africa Legal, which hosts the GC Forum GRC in partnership with legal intelligence platform Afriwise. “From regional infrastructure corridors and critical minerals diplomacy, to digital innovation and the energy transition, in-house counsel are now central to strategic decision-making.”

The GC Forum GRC 2026 recognises this shift, says Bampton, creating a space where legal leaders can shape policy, advance governance excellence, and navigate risk with confidence. Back by popular demand, the exclusive 2026 event will take place at the Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff in Johannesburg.

The 2025 programme featured senior leaders from across law, investment, regulation, and industry. The one-day event featured a mix of keynote presentations, expert panels, and rapid-fire regional insight panels, capped by a high-level networking cocktail reception overlooking the Johannesburg skyline. 

Last year’s attendees praised the depth and relevance of the GC Forum GRC. 

One participant noted it “cut through theory to focus on the real pressures facing in-house teams”, while another described it as “one of the few forums where legal leaders could speak candidly, learn from peers, and leave with practical insight”. 

The 2026 GC Forum GRC will follow a similar format, confirms Bampton. With a theme of “Legal Leadership in an Unpredictable World”, it will convene legal decision-makers, regulators, investors and policy influencers to address the evolving realities shaping governance and risk across Africa, from AI governance to geopolitical volatility and cross-border regulatory complexity.

Building on last year, the event continues Africa Legal and Afriwise’s shared commitment to strengthening the strategic role of the modern legal function and positioning in-house counsel at the centre of organisational leadership.

“The GC Forum GRC exists because governance, risk and compliance in Africa are at a breaking point,” says Steven de Backer, legal data expert and Afriwise founder and CEO. “Last year’s forum made one thing clear: too many in-house teams are still buried under endless laws, updates and fragmented information, which keeps them reacting to risk instead of anticipating it. The alternative is teams working with clear, structured insights in real time, spotting risk before it becomes a problem, and placing simplified obligations directly in the hands of business leaders who can act.”

This year’s forum, de Backer adds, is about grounding that future in reality, focusing on what can already be done today, what needs to change next, and how in-house teams across Africa can move from chasing regulators to leading with intelligence. 

The GC Forum GRC 2026 welcomes:

• General Counsel and in-house legal teams

• Leaders in governance, risk and compliance

• Government relations, policy and regulatory professionals

• Investors, financiers and corporate advisers

• NGOs, academics and legal sector specialists

Registration is free for eligible professionals, with early expressions of interest already received from major African and multinational organisations.

For full details on GC Forum GRC 2026, including 2025 agenda highlights, speaker opportunities, and sponsors, visit: www.gcforumgrc.com

Africa Legal has opened sponsorship opportunities for organisations seeking to support and shape this critical conversation. Sponsors benefit from direct involvement in content development, thought leadership positioning, and strategic programme visibility. To explore sponsorship, contact: scott@africa-legal.com