Empowering Africa’s industrial transformation through collaboration, innovation, and investment.
Johannesburg, South Africa: 5 November 2025 – As Africa strives to position itself as a global manufacturing hub, the 2026 Manufacturing Indaba will serve as a key platform for driving dialogue, policy alignment, and investment to accelerate industrialisation across the continent. Taking place from 14 – 15 July 2026 in Johannesburg, the event will convene government leaders, manufacturers, financiers, and industry experts to shape Africa’s manufacturing future.
Industrialisation remains the cornerstone of Africa’s economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development. According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), Africa’s manufacturing sector could triple in size to nearly US$1 trillion by 2030, creating over 14 million stable jobs if supported by the right infrastructure, trade policies, and innovation ecosystems.
“Africa’s industrial revolution depends on unlocking manufacturing competitiveness, value addition, and technology adoption,” says Liz Hart, Managing Director at the Manufacturing Indaba. “Our platform brings together the stakeholders and solutions required to make this transformation a reality.”
The Manufacturing Indaba 2026 will spotlight opportunities to:
- Build regional manufacturing value chains aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA);
- Promote automation and digital transformation to enhance competitiveness;
- Strengthen industrial financing and SME support mechanisms;
- Develop sustainable and green manufacturing models for inclusive growth.
As global supply chains shift and Africa’s youth population expands, the continent is uniquely positioned to become the world’s next manufacturing frontier. The Indaba serves as the meeting point for policy-makers, private sector leaders, and investors to collaborate on practical strategies that will unlock Africa’s industrial potential.
“The Manufacturing Indaba is more than a conference — it is a catalyst for action,” adds Hart. “It provides the platform where partnerships are built, investment flows are unlocked, and Africa’s industrial story takes shape.”
Website : www.manufacturingindaba.co.za
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manufacturingindaba/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/manufacturing-indaba
