Cape Town, South Africa – 28 October 2026: As South Africa’s manufacturing sector faces increasing pressure from rising operating costs, technological disruption and global competition, the upcoming Cape Town Manufacturing Summit will bring together an expert line-up of industry leaders, policymakers, financiers and technology specialists to explore practical solutions for strengthening industrial growth and competitiveness.
Taking place on 11 November 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC 2), the Summit will address key challenges confronting manufacturers, including access to finance, industrial policy, investment incentives, digital transformation, export opportunities and the need for stronger collaboration between government and the private sector.
Under the theme “Manufacturing the Cape. Connecting Africa. Competing Globally.”, the event will focus on positioning Cape Town and the Western Cape as competitive manufacturing destinations while identifying opportunities for local businesses to expand into African and international markets.
The Summit will open with a keynote address by Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth at the City of Cape Town, who will outline the city’s vision for strengthening its position as a manufacturing and investment gateway into Africa. Tshetlhe Litheko of NAAMSA will examine the growing importance of smart factories and Industry 4.0, while Fazielah Allie of K9 Pet Foods will share insights on factory excellence, export readiness and building globally competitive manufacturing businesses.
The role of industrial policy and investment incentives will feature prominently, with representatives from the National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa, Lowveld Special Economic Zone, Hisense South Africa, the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Wesgro examining how government and industry can work together to create a more enabling environment for manufacturing growth.
Scaling manufacturing businesses will also be a key focus, with experts from Proudly South African, Isanti Glass, Sage, Packtech and GridCars exploring practical strategies to improve productivity, secure larger contracts, embrace technology and access new markets. The discussion will highlight the importance of equipping smaller manufacturers with the tools and opportunities needed to grow into competitive, sustainable enterprises.
Access to finance remains a significant challenge for manufacturers seeking to modernise operations, expand production capacity and invest in new technologies. Representatives from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Business Partners, MANE Deli Spices and Africa International Advisors will examine funding opportunities, investment readiness and the financial mechanisms needed to support manufacturing expansion.
With digital transformation reshaping the global manufacturing landscape, the Summit will also explore how local businesses can embrace automation, smart technologies and Industry 4.0 to improve efficiency and competitiveness. Experts from NTT DATA, NAACAM, Atlantis Special Economic Zone, TTRO and Isibani-CI will discuss practical approaches to technology adoption and overcoming barriers to implementation.
The programme will further examine Cape Town’s potential as a manufacturing gateway to Africa, with representatives from GreenCape, Ardagh Glass Packaging South Africa, Agilequity, Newspace Systems and the Association of Professional Artisans of South Africa exploring how investment, skills development, industrial collaboration and market access can strengthen the region’s manufacturing capabilities.
As South Africa seeks to accelerate economic growth, attract investment and create sustainable employment opportunities, manufacturing remains a vital contributor to economic diversification and industrial development. However, unlocking the sector’s full potential will require coordinated action to address structural challenges, improve competitiveness and create opportunities for businesses of all sizes.
The Cape Town Manufacturing Summit 2026 aims to move beyond identifying challenges by facilitating meaningful engagement between manufacturers, government, investors and industry experts, with a focus on practical solutions that can support long-term industrial growth.The Summit takes place on 11 November 2026 at CTICC 2, Cape Town, bringing together stakeholders committed to building a stronger, more resilient and globally competitive manufacturing sector.
