Africa’s automation and process control landscape is poised for a major milestone with the launch of the Africa Automation Indaba, taking place from
Billed as a landmark conference for automation, process control and industrial digitalisation, the Africa Automation Indaba aims to become the continent’s flagship platform for shaping the future of manufacturing and industrial competitiveness. Over two days, delegates will engage in high-level dialogue, explore new technologies and collaborate on strategies to unlock Africa’s automation potential.
“The Indaba will be the go-to forum for those passionate about shaping Africa’s automation future through innovation and collaboration,” says event director Hanli Goncalves. “We’re bringing together visionaries who see automation not as a luxury, but as a necessity for sustainable growth and global relevance.”
A strategic platform for growth and collaboration
The Indaba’s agenda focuses on the economic, governmental and investment forces driving automation adoption across Africa. The programme blends keynotes, panel discussions, case studies and fireside chats, tackling questions at the heart of industrial transformation. Themes include:
• Identifying high-growth sectors and regions for automation.
• Automation as an economic growth driver and job creator.
• Policy frameworks and government incentives that enable innovation.
• Financing and investment strategies for automation projects.
• Building Africa’s automation talent pipeline and developing STEM capacity.
• Digitalisation, IIoT and smart manufacturing readiness.
• Infrastructure, connectivity and localisation challenges.
• Sustainability and renewable energy integration in industry.
Each session is designed to deliver practical, actionable insight from founders, CEOs, policymakers and financiers who are building real-world automation solutions in African markets.
Day 1: Vision, growth and policy
Day 1 of the conference sets the stage with a focus on vision and strategic growth. A keynote session on ‘Powering Africa’s Industrial Future: The Case for Automation’ will highlight the economic imperative for automation as a driver of productivity and competitiveness.
Subsequent panels will address sectoral growth opportunities, policy reform and investment realities, examining what makes automation projects bankable in the African context. The day concludes with a wine tasting networking session, offering delegates an informal opportunity to connect with investors, government representatives and technology suppliers.
Day 2: Technology, talent, and sustainability
The second day shifts focus to implementation and capability development. Sessions will explore Africa’s readiness for digitalisation, IIoT and smart manufacturing, highlighting case studies from sectors such as mining, energy and food processing.
A dedicated session on building Africa’s automation talent pipeline will address how partnerships between industry, academia and government can bridge the skills gap. Other panels will examine strategies for localisation vs global integration, and the role of automation in decarbonisation and resource efficiency.
The event closes with a ‘Founder Insights’ fireside chat where leading entrepreneurs share their breakthrough moments and hard-learned lessons in scaling automation ventures across African markets.
Industry thought leaders on stage.
Among the headline speakers confirmed for 2026 is Pieter Geldenhuys, a globally recognised futurist and innovation strategist. Geldenhuys will deliver a keynote on ‘Smart Manufacturing, IIoT and Digitalisation – Is Africa Ready?’ He will also participate in a panel examining real-world successes and challenges in industrial digitalisation. His session will explore Africa’s readiness for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, analysing how IIoT and digital transformation can enable sustainable competitiveness.
“Pieter’s perspective combines global insight with a deep understanding of African realities,” says Goncalves. “Delegates can expect thought-provoking analysis and actionable strategies to advance smart manufacturing.”
The Indaba will be hosted by Vuyolwethu ‘Vuyo’ Dubese, a seasoned innovation consultant, podcaster and global moderator known for her dynamic, impact-driven facilitation style. With experience moderating for organisations including USAID, Facebook Africa, Nestlé, and the UNDP, Dubese’s role as MC ensures a vibrant, inclusive atmosphere across both days.
Opportunities to participate
The Africa Automation Indaba offers multiple participation avenues, from delegate attendance to exhibition and sponsorship packages.
Delegate rates are set at R6500 (South Africa) and $550 (international) for the two-day conference. Exhibitor packages include a 4 m² meeting pod, branding and full delegate access, while sponsorship tiers − Platinum, Gold, and Silver − offer branding visibility, panel participation and prime exposure across the venue and media channels.
Sponsors also benefit from access to the opt-in delegate list, extensive pre- and post-event media features, and opportunities for exclusive branding during networking functions.
A movement, not just a meeting
More than a conference, the Africa Automation Indaba positions itself as a movement to catalyse Africa’s industrial future. As automation, AI and smart technologies redefine global production systems, Africa faces both challenges and the opportunity to leapfrog legacy systems and build smarter, more sustainable industries from the ground up.
“Automation is the backbone of modern industry. Our goal is to ensure Africa is not merely catching up, but also leading in areas where innovation, agility and collaboration give us a competitive edge,” says Goncalves.
The Africa Automation Indaba 2026 takes place on
For more information, contact Hanli Goncalves, RX Global,
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