Registrations are now open for the Cape Town Manufacturing Summit, bringing together manufacturers, industry leaders, government, investors, buyers and solution providers to explore opportunities for strengthening and growing Cape Town and the Western Cape’s important manufacturing economy. The Summit will be hosted on the 11th November 2026 at the CTICC in Cape Town.
Manufacturing remains a major contributor to the regional economy. The sector contributes approximately 15.6% of Cape Town’s GDP, while manufacturing accounts for around 14% of economic activity across the Western Cape and is one of the province’s largest economic sectors.
The sector is also an important source of employment, supporting approximately 300,000 jobs across the Western Cape in the first quarter of 2026. Cape Town sits at the centre of this manufacturing base, with Statistics South Africa data previously showing that approximately 78% of the Western Cape’s manufacturing workforce is located within the City of Cape Town.
The region has developed particular manufacturing strengths across food and beverages and agri-processing, clothing and textiles, marine manufacturing and boatbuilding, cosmetics, electronics and green technologies, providing a diverse industrial base from which to drive further growth.
Against this backdrop, the Cape Town Manufacturing Summit will provide a focused platform to discuss how the region can attract greater industrial investment, strengthen local supply chains, increase production, improve competitiveness and create new manufacturing jobs.
As manufacturers navigate changing global markets, rising operating costs, new technologies and increasing pressure to improve productivity, the Summit will focus on practical solutions and new opportunities for industry.
The conference programme will address key issues shaping the future of manufacturing, including localisation and industrial development, investment, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, automation and digitalisation, energy security, supply chains and logistics, skills development, procurement opportunities and access to African and international markets.
The Summit will also explore the opportunities emerging from the Western Cape’s growing green economy and the potential to establish the region as an important African hub for the manufacture of technologies and components required for the energy transition.
Beyond the conference programme, delegates will have the opportunity to connect with manufacturers, buyers, suppliers, investors, government representatives and technology providers through networking and business engagement opportunities.
The Cape Town Manufacturing Summit aims to move the conversation beyond identifying challenges towards developing practical partnerships and actions that can strengthen the region’s manufacturing capabilities and unlock new opportunities for businesses of all sizes.
Manufacturers, suppliers, investors, industry professionals and companies providing technologies and solutions to the manufacturing sector are encouraged to register and participate.
Registrations are now open for the Cape Town Manufacturing Summit.
Be part of the conversation. Be part of the growth.
For further information, visit: https://manufacturingindaba.co.za/manufacturing-summit/
