Leatitia

South African mining, manufacturing and industrial businesses are under increasing pressure to improve productivity, strengthen safety, reduce operating costs and remain globally competitive. At the same time, rapid advances in digital technologies are reshaping the way organisations design, manage and optimise their operations, with the focus increasingly shifting from exploring new technologies to implementing practical solutions that deliver measurable business value.

Industrial automation, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, predictive maintenance, digital manufacturing and intelligent operational systems are no longer emerging concepts. They are becoming essential tools for improving efficiency, reducing downtime, optimising asset performance and supporting better decision-making across industrial operations.

As organisations continue to balance productivity, sustainability and cost pressures, investment in technologies that improve operational performance is becoming increasingly important. Equally important is the ability for businesses to evaluate solutions, engage with technical experts and better understand how complementary technologies can work together to address operational challenges.

These industry trends will be reflected at Electra Mining Africa, taking place from 7-11 September at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec. Reflecting continued confidence from industry, the 2026 exhibition has expanded to a record 44,000m² of net exhibition space, bringing together more than 1,000 local and international exhibitors across six indoor exhibition halls together with expanded outdoor display areas.

According to Charlene Hefer, Portfolio Director for Montgomery Group Africa, organisers of Electra Mining Africa, the pace of technological change is making it increasingly important for businesses to evaluate solutions in person.

“Technology adoption is no longer simply about investing in new technology. Businesses need to understand how different technologies can work together to improve productivity, efficiency and competitiveness. Electra Mining Africa provides an environment where industry professionals can compare solutions, engage directly with technical specialists and make more informed decisions about future investments.”

The exhibition will showcase a broad range of technologies, equipment and services for the mining, manufacturing and industrial sectors, from large-scale mining equipment and industrial machinery to automation systems, digital technologies, power solutions, engineering services and manufacturing innovations. It also provides a platform for businesses to compare solutions, engage with technical specialists and company representatives, and evaluate products designed to improve productivity, efficiency and safety.

Beyond the exhibition floor, Electra Mining Africa supports industry collaboration through a wide-ranging programme of seminars and technical workshops that encourage knowledge sharing and discussion around the technologies, trends and challenges shaping the future of industrial operations. New for 2026, the SAIMechE Skills and Career Hub will encourage collaboration between industry and the education and training sector, recognising that investment in skills must progress alongside advances in technology.

As South African industry continues to embrace digital transformation, platforms that bring together technology providers, manufacturers, engineering specialists and industry experts have an increasingly important role to play in supporting innovation, knowledge sharing and long-term industrial competitiveness.

For more information and visitor registration, visit www.electramining.co.za

CEM Africa, Africa’s leading customer experience conference, has announced three internationally respected speakers who will take to the stage at CEM Africa 2026, taking place from 18 – 20 August 2026 in Cape Town.

Bringing together senior leaders from customer experience, marketing, digital transformation, retail, customer service and business strategy, CEM Africa continues to attract influential voices who challenge conventional thinking and share practical insights that organisations can apply to create stronger customer relationships and better business outcomes.

Joining this year’s programme are Martin Urrutia, Global Head of Retail Experience at The LEGO Group; Bruce Whitfield, one of South Africa’s most respected business journalists and best-selling authors; and Zahirah Variawa, Emmy-nominated television presenter, award-winning travel producer and destination marketing strategist.
Together, they represent three distinct but complementary perspectives on leadership, customer experience and business transformation.

Creating World-Class Customer Experiences
Making his South African debut at CEM Africa, Martin Urrutia brings extensive global expertise in retail experience design and customer engagement.
As the Global Head of Retail Experience at The LEGO Group, Martin leads the development of retail concepts and customer experiences that strengthen one of the world’s most recognised brands. His work demonstrates how thoughtful experience design, innovation and brand strategy can be translated into commercially successful customer experiences across global markets.

During his session, Martin will share practical insights into designing memorable retail experiences that strengthen customer relationships while delivering measurable business value.

Speaking ahead of his visit to Cape Town, Martin said:
“During my visit to Cape Town, I look forward to engaging with the city’s authentic experiences, local culture, and distinctive destinations, all of which continue to inform and inspire the retail and brand experiences I create. I am particularly keen to explore Cape Town’s seamless integration of global brands and unique local retailers, alongside its exceptional culinary scene and vibrant public spaces — environments that foster connection, discovery, and new perspectives.”

Leadership in an Age of Uncertainty
Bruce Whitfield has built a reputation as one of South Africa’s most trusted business commentators, interviewing some of the world’s leading executives, entrepreneurs and innovators throughout his career. Drawing on decades of experience covering business, leadership and economic change, Bruce will explore how leaders can make better decisions, embrace uncertainty and identify opportunity in rapidly changing environments.

His keynote will challenge delegates to rethink how resilience, adaptability and decisive leadership can become competitive advantages in today’s business landscape.

The Power of Storytelling to Shape Experiences
Joining the programme is Zahirah Variawa, whose career spans more than 16 years across Africa, the Middle East and international markets.
An Emmy-nominated television presenter, award-winning travel producer, content creator and destination marketing strategist, Zahirah has partnered with tourism boards, governments, airlines and luxury hospitality brands to shape how destinations are experienced and remembered. Beyond broadcasting, she advises governments and international organisations on destination marketing strategy, facilitates industry dialogue and champions tourism as a catalyst for economic growth across Africa.

At CEM Africa 2026, Zahirah will explore how storytelling, human connection and authentic experiences influence perception, build trust and create lasting emotional connections. Her session will demonstrate why the principles of destination branding and experience design are increasingly relevant to organisations seeking to differentiate themselves through customer experience.

A Platform for Africa’s Customer Experience Leaders
The announcement reinforces CEM Africa’s position as the continent’s premier gathering for senior customer experience professionals, bringing together business leaders to explore the ideas, strategies and innovations shaping the future of customer engagement.

From world-class retail innovation and leadership to the power of storytelling, delegates will gain practical insights from speakers whose experience extends well beyond traditional customer experience disciplines. Together, they demonstrate that exceptional customer experiences are shaped by design, strengthened by leadership and brought to life through authentic human connection.

CEM Africa 2026 takes place in Cape Town from 18–20 August 2026, bringing together senior decision-makers from financial services, retail, telecommunications, healthcare, technology, government and other leading industries for three days of learning, networking and business collaboration.
For more information and to register, visit the CEM Africa website.

The packaging industry across West Africa continues to evolve, driven by expanding consumer markets, rising demand for more efficient and sustainable packaging solutions, and advances in automation and digital technologies. As manufacturers respond to these changing market dynamics, improving productivity, efficiency and competitiveness has become an increasing priority.

In this rapidly changing environment, informed decision-making is more important than ever. Beyond evaluating new equipment and technologies, businesses are seeking practical insights and proven strategies to help optimise operations, address emerging challenges and prepare for future growth.

Providing a platform to address these opportunities and challenges, Propak West Africa returns to the Landmark Centre in Lagos, Nigeria, from 8-10 September, bringing together suppliers, manufacturers and industry professionals from across the packaging, plastics, print, labelling and food processing sectors. The exhibition provides a valuable opportunity to explore the latest machinery, materials and technologies, compare solutions firsthand, and engage directly with technical specialists and industry experts.

Propak West Africa Summit

Complementing the exhibition, visitors will also have access to the Propak West Africa Summit. The conference programme has been developed specifically for production and packaging professionals across the region. Bringing together decision-makers and technical leads from West African manufacturing sectors, the conference will present a dynamic mix of keynote presentations, expert panels, interactive workshops, and industry case studies. It will also spotlight transformative packaging and processing technologies, market trends, and sustainability practices shaping the region’s industrial growth.

The Director General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Ajayi-Kadir, will deliver a welcome address at the Opening Ceremony on the first day of the conference. Alexander Gendis, CEO of Beta Glass, has been confirmed as a keynote speaker. Both speakers reinforce the event’s importance within the region’s manufacturing and packaging sectors.

A key highlight of the third day will be the industry stakeholder session hosted by the Recycling Association of Nigeria (RAN) titled: ‘From Market Placement to Material Recovery: Closing the Data Gap in Nigeria’s Circular Packaging Value Chain.’ This high-level discussion will convene stakeholders across the packaging ecosystem to address the disconnect between packaging introduced into the market and materials actually recovered within Nigeria’s recycling infrastructure.

Other speakers include Dr. Markus Grumann who is the Managing Director at Miho Inspection Systems, Titus Gado, Manufacturing Director at Chi Limited; Prof Olugbenga Ogunmoyela, President, at Cafsani, A’rese Lucia Onaghise, Executive Director at Food & Beverage Recycling Alliance, and Saheed Kareem who is the Factory Engineering Manager at Nestle.

The Propak West Africa Summit is free-to-attend, but delegates need to book in advance. The KPMG breakfast session on the second day is by invitation only.

Leading meeting place for industry

Bringing together international technology providers, regional manufacturers and industry organisations, Propak West Africa continues to strengthen its position as a leading meeting place for West Africa’s packaging and manufacturing industries. Beyond showcasing the latest innovations in packaging, plastics, print, labelling and food processing, the exhibition provides opportunities for technology transfer, business networking, industry partnerships and knowledge sharing, while its growing collaboration with sustainability and recycling organisations reflects the increasing focus on circular economy initiatives and responsible manufacturing across the region.

“The pace of change within the manufacturing and packaging sectors means businesses need access not only to the latest technologies, but also to the knowledge, partnerships and practical insights that support informed decision-making,” says Mark Anderson, Portfolio Director at Montgomery Group Africa, organisers of the show. “Propak West Africa is designed to connect global and local solution providers with local industry, creating opportunities for businesses to discover new technologies, exchange ideas and build valuable partnerships. By combining a comprehensive exhibition with a practical, industry-focused conference, the show offers visitors the opportunity to discover new technologies, learn from industry experts and build valuable business connections – all in one place.”

For more information about the conference and free visitor registration, visit: www.propakwestafrica.com

Converge Africa 2026 returned to the CTICC in Cape Town and delivered three packed days of practical, outcomes led conversations about how Africa buys, sells and transacts in a world that is moving fast. The event brought the full digital commerce ecosystem into one place, from payments and fintech to retail and eCommerce, logistics and fulfilment, digital marketing, cybersecurity and customer experience.

In total, the event welcomed more than 1,400 attendees from 600 companies across the 3 days. It featured 100 plus speakers, and hosted 50 plus exhibitors, creating a high energy environment for learning, benchmarking, and high value connections across the ecosystem.

This year’s agenda was designed to be hands on and commercially useful. Across the Converge Money and Store Chat stages, plus workshops and masterclasses, the programme put a spotlight on the themes leaders are actively solving for right now: agentic and conversational commerce, trust and data integrity, payments certainty, and the operational realities of delivering better customer experiences at scale.

A big part of what made the event so actionable was sponsor participation woven directly into the programme. Intent HQ led workshop sessions focused on agentic personalisation and enterprise readiness, helping teams translate AI ambition into practical paths for execution. Amazon South Africa featured through a keynote and dedicated masterclasses built around seller growth and operational enablement, including onboarding essentials and fulfilment strategies.

On the payments side, Ecentric Payment Systems featured in the agenda with sessions focused on payment certainty and performance, reinforcing that payments are no longer just a backend function but a conversion and trust driver. BBD Software contributed workshop content focused on cloud cost forecasting, observability and control, supporting the wider push toward scalable infrastructure and operational performance. ABSA was represented as part of the broader leadership mix contributing to the conversation, alongside organisations driving commerce, trust and financial inclusion across the continent.

Converge Africa continues to be guided by a simple idea that showed up across the programme in different ways: frictionless digital commerce depends on the entire ecosystem working together. When payments, delivery, identity, data standards, security and customer experience are treated as one connected system, the market moves faster and growth becomes easier to unlock.