South Africa’s top trade shows and conferences
Article contents
Trade shows and conferences in South Africa cover various industries, including technology, manufacturing, construction, mining, and more. South Africa is the most significant meeting hub where the world meets Africa’s entire industry leaders with a large number of international convention centres and expo venues across the country.
Many of these trade shows in South Africa are internationally recognised and attract exhibitors and attendees from around the world.
Some of the largest and most well-known trade fairs include the Mining Indaba (South Africa’s longest-running exhibition in the mining industry), South Africa Energy Indaba, Meetings Africa, AfricaCom and the Southern African International Trade Exhibition (SAITEX).
What to Expect
Exhibiting at a trade show or conference in South Africa can be a great way to promote your products or services, meet potential customers, and network with other businesses in your industry. With a growing international reputation, trade shows in South Africa are attracting exhibitors and attendees from around the world. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that the business culture in South Africa can be different from what you’re used to, so it’s a good idea to do some research and prepare accordingly.
Top 100 Trade Shows and Conferences in South Africa:
- AfricaCom – The largest technology and telecoms event in Africa.
- Enlit Africa – The premier energy & water conference and expo.
- Automechanika Johannesburg – Automotive aftermarket trade fair.
- Cape Town International Boat Show – The largest boat show in Africa.
- Africa Health – The biggest healthcare exhibition in Africa.
- Corobrik Architectural Trade Show – The premier exhibition for architects.
- Durban International Film Festival – The largest film festival in Africa.
- e-Show – The largest e-commerce and digital marketing event in Africa.
- FNB Joburg Art Fair – A platform for emerging and established artists in Africa.
- ITWeb Security Summit – A premier event for information security professionals.
- Johannesburg International Motor Show – South Africa’s automobile industry at its finest.
- Mining Indaba – The world’s premier forum for the mining industry.
- MyBroadband Conference – South Africa’s premier technology event.
- Nampo Harvest Day – The biggest agricultural show in Africa.
- Securex – The leading security trade show in Africa.
- SARCDA – The largest gift and homeware exhibition in Africa.
- South African Wine & Spirits Show – An event for wine and spirits connoisseurs.
- Southern Africa Automotive Week – The premier automotive industry event.
- Southern African International Trade Fair – An event for importers, exporters, and investors.
- Southern African Power Pool Conference – A premier power and energy conference.
- South African Institute of Electrical Engineers Conference – A leading electrical engineering conference.
- South African Retail Show – The premier retail trade show in Africa.
- South African Tourism Indaba – The largest travel trade event in Africa.
- South African Women in Technology Conference – A platform to empower women in tech.
- TEDx Johannesburg – An independently organized TED event.
- The Cape Town International Jazz Festival – The largest jazz festival in Africa.
- Electra Mining 2024 – A platform for the mining sector in South Africa.
- The Southern African Launch Pad – A premier event for start-ups and entrepreneurs.
- Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal Conference – A showcase for investment opportunities.
- Africa Rail – The largest railway congress and expo in South Africa.
- Africa Energy Indaba – A platform for the energy sector in South Africa and the continent.
- Africa Hotel Investment Forum – The leading event for hotel and tourism investment.
- Africa HVACR Expo – The leading HVACR industry event in South Africa.
- African Manufacturing Expo – The largest industrial technology expo in South Africa.
- Africa Print Expo – The premier exhibition for the printing industry in South Africa.
- Africa Property Investment Summit – A platform for property investment in Africa.
- African Agri Investment Indaba – A platform for agri-investment in South Africa.
- African Ports & Rail Evolution – The premier event for port and rail professionals.
- Africa Rail Infrastructure Summit – A platform for rail infrastructure in Africa.
- African Smart Cities Summit – A summit for building smart cities in Africa.
- Africa Trade & Investment Summit – A platform for trade and investment in Africa.
- Africa Upstream Oil & Gas Conference – An event for upstream oil and gas in Africa.
- African Utility Week & PowerGen Africa – The premier energy and water event in Africa.
- African Women in Technology Summit – A platform to empower women in tech.
- Automotive Manufacturing & Component Expo – A leading automotive industry event.
- Banking & Finance Africa Summit – A platform for banking and finance professionals.
- Business Leadership Africa Summit – A platform for business leaders in Africa.
- Cape Town Motor Show – The largest motor show in the Western Cape.
- Cape Town International Film Market & Festival – The largest Film Market and Festival in Africa.
- Design Indaba – An exceptional event for creative professionals in South Africa and beyond.
- My Beauty Expo – South Africa Cosmetics, wedding dresses and innovative products.
- Durban International Film Festival – The largest film festival in Africa.
- Durban Motor Show – The largest motor show in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
- Energy Efficiency Africa – Africa’s largest energy efficiency event.
- Energy Forum for Africa – A platform for energy professionals in Africa.
- Food & Beverage Africa – The premier food and beverage event in Africa.
- Gauteng International Trade & Investment Conference – A platform for trade and investment in Gauteng.
- Gauteng Tourism Conference – An event for tourism professionals in Gauteng.
- Global African Investment Summit – A platform for investment in Africa.
- Global Entrepreneurship Summit – The premier entrepreneurship conference in Africa.
- Green Building & Retrofit Africa – The premier green building event in Africa.
- Green Economy Africa – A platform for green economy initiatives in Africa.
- Hotel Investment Conference Africa – An event for hotel and tourism investment in Africa.
- ICT Africa – The largest ICT event in Africa.
- International Wine & Spirits Fair – An event for wine and spirits connoisseurs.
- ITWeb Security Summit – A premier event for information security professionals.
- Johannesburg International Motor Show – The largest motor show in Africa.
- Light Africa – The premier lighting exhibition in Africa.
- Mining & Technical Exhibitions – The largest mining industry event in Africa.
- Motor Industry Conference – A summit for the automotive industry in Africa.
- Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Africa – The premier pharmaceutical event in Africa.
- Power & Electricity World Africa – The leading power and electricity event in Africa.
- Safety & Security Africa – The premier safety and security event in Africa.
Venues in South Africa
Here’s a quick list of the leading exhibition venues in South Africa. Please read this article for more details on the venues, transport links and things to do when visting any of the upcoming trade shows.
- Sandton Convention Centre Johannesburg, South Africa
- Gallagher Convention Centre Johannesburg, South Africa
- Cape Town International Convention Centre, South Africa
- Johannesburg Expo Centre, South Africa
Our Final Thoughts
Exhibiting in South Africa is a great way to get your brand noticed and to build relationships with potential customers and partners. If you’re in the food and beverage industry or focused on expanding into South Africa marketing or travel, this country has it all.
If you’re looking to plan your next event or exhibition stand, please read this article to find out how much a sustainable exhibition stand costs and how to plan an exhibition stand.
With its vibrant culture, diverse economy and rich history, South Africa is an ideal place to connect with new markets and build relationships. Stay tuned for more travel tips and specialist invitation-only events across the country.
Whether you are looking to attend a leading show with market leaders, a local conference with the highest level industry speakers or a specific industry event on the African continent, this country has a wide range of opportunities, and you’ll never be short of shows in South Africa with unprecedented opportunity.
