South Africa Hosts 2026 Manufacturing Indaba to Boost African Industry

Government officials, manufacturers, and investors convened for the 2026 Manufacturing Indaba in Johannesburg, South Africa, beginning July 14, 2026. The forum focused on accelerating industrialization across Africa through increased investment, public-private collaboration, and deeper regional integration.

John Steenhuisen, the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, announced a national industrial strategy focused on diversification, decarbonization, and digitalization. He aimed to reverse de-industrialization and enhance South Africa's global competitiveness.

Participants emphasized the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a critical tool for creating regional manufacturing value chains and reducing the continent's dependence on imports. Exhibitors reported rising investor interest in pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, agro-processing, and automotive production. Leaders from both the public and private sectors argued that no single country could industrialize in isolation, calling instead for a unified continental approach to manufacturing.