Industrial Transformation Africa 2026 expands business focus with hosted buyer program
Industrial Transformation Africa 2026 is set to strengthen its position as a leading industrial business platform with the launch of a new hosted buyer program designed to connect technology providers with high-level industrial decision-makers. The event will take place from September 29 to October 1, 2026, at the OFEC exhibition center in Casablanca, bringing together stakeholders from across Africa, Europe, and the Mediterranean region.
Organized by Hannover Fairs MENA, the regional subsidiary of Deutsche Messe AG, the exhibition focuses on advanced manufacturing technologies and Industry 4.0 solutions. The event benefits from its connection to the globally recognized Hannover Messe brand, which has been shaping industrial innovation and international trade relations for decades.
As African industries accelerate modernization efforts, demand for advanced production technologies continues to rise. Manufacturers across the continent are investing in automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, smart logistics, energy efficiency, and sustainable production systems. Against this backdrop, Industrial Transformation Africa aims to provide a practical environment where technology suppliers and industrial buyers can develop partnerships and explore investment opportunities.
A central feature of the 2026 edition is the introduction of the hosted buyer program. The initiative has been designed to facilitate targeted business meetings between exhibitors and carefully selected industrial buyers whose investment projects and purchasing needs align with the technologies showcased at the event.
Organizers expect between 50 and 60 qualified buyers and senior decision-makers representing manufacturing companies, industrial groups, distribution networks, system integrators, and technology end users. These participants are actively seeking innovative production solutions and strategic investment opportunities capable of supporting their growth objectives.
The program reaches beyond North Africa to include participants from West and East Africa as well as Southern Europe and the Balkans. Countries currently targeted include Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Portugal. This geographic diversity reflects growing interest in industrial cooperation across regions that share expanding manufacturing ambitions.
According to Soley Ozsoy Burumcek, Head of Business Development and MENA Projects at Hannover Fairs MENA, the exhibition is designed to go beyond the traditional trade fair model. She emphasized that the platform seeks to connect industrial technology suppliers with companies actively investing in the future of manufacturing, while encouraging strategic partnerships, technology transfer, and industrial development across Africa.
Unlike exhibitions that prioritize visitor numbers, Industrial Transformation Africa is placing greater emphasis on the quality of business interactions. By focusing on decision-makers with clearly identified investment projects and procurement plans, the event aims to generate measurable commercial outcomes for exhibitors and participants.
The hosted buyer model also responds to a broader trend reshaping global industrial events. Companies increasingly seek efficient, results-driven networking opportunities that shorten sales cycles and facilitate direct engagement with qualified prospects. Pre-arranged meetings allow participants to maximize their time while focusing on concrete business discussions.
Casablanca’s selection as host city further reinforces Morocco’s growing status as an industrial gateway linking Africa, Europe, and the Mediterranean basin. The country’s expanding manufacturing ecosystem, modern infrastructure, logistics capabilities, and international connectivity have attracted significant industrial investment in sectors ranging from automotive production to aerospace, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing.
A platform for Africa’s industrial future
Through its exhibition halls, executive conferences, networking spaces, and hosted buyer program, Industrial Transformation Africa 2026 is positioning itself as a catalyst for industrial innovation and sustainable economic growth. As manufacturers across the continent pursue modernization strategies and digital transformation agendas, the event aims to serve as a bridge between technology providers, investors, and industrial leaders seeking to shape the next phase of Africa’s industrial development.
