Cape Town's manufacturing sector is preparing for an important industry gathering this week as the Cape Town Manufacturing Summit brings together government, business and industry leaders to explore the next chapter of industrial growth in the region.

Taking place on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), the one-day summit will create a platform for meaningful engagement around the opportunities, challenges and strategic interventions needed to strengthen Cape Town's position as a competitive manufacturing destination.

With the participation of Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth at the City of Cape Town, alongside other influential industry voices, the summit will place a spotlight on the role of collaboration in unlocking the region's industrial potential.

Under the theme "Manufacturing the Cape. Connecting Africa. Competing Globally," discussions will explore how Cape Town can strengthen its manufacturing ecosystem through investment, localisation, infrastructure development, advanced manufacturing, technological innovation and improved access to regional and international markets.

As global manufacturing continues to evolve, the need for competitive industrial ecosystems has become increasingly important. Manufacturers are navigating changing trade dynamics, technological disruption, supply chain pressures and the demand for more resilient production capabilities. For Cape Town, these developments present both challenges and opportunities to strengthen its industrial footprint and attract new investment.

The summit aims to move these conversations beyond identifying challenges, bringing together the stakeholders who can help translate industry priorities into tangible opportunities for growth.

Liz Hart, Managing Director of Manufacturing Indaba, says the summit comes at a critical time for the region's industrial development.

"Cape Town has enormous potential to strengthen its position as a manufacturing and investment destination but unlocking that potential requires more than recognising the opportunities available. It requires meaningful collaboration, a shared vision and a commitment to turning conversations into action. The Cape Town Manufacturing Summit brings together the people who are shaping the industry, creating an opportunity to address the realities facing manufacturers while exploring practical ways to drive investment, strengthen local capabilities and create sustainable industrial growth," says Hart.

Supported by the City of Cape Town and Invest Cape Town, the summit also reinforces the city's ambitions to position itself as a gateway for manufacturing investment and trade, connecting local industrial capabilities with broader African and international opportunities.

For manufacturers, investors, business owners and industry stakeholders, the gathering offers an opportunity to engage with decision-makers, exchange industry insights and establish relationships that could contribute to future business and investment opportunities.

As the countdown to Wednesday begins, the message to the manufacturing community is clear: the future of the region's industrial sector requires collective participation. The conversations taking place at the summit will contribute to shaping the priorities, partnerships and opportunities that can move Cape Town's manufacturing economy forward.

Industry stakeholders are encouraged to be part of the conversation and contribute to shaping the next phase of manufacturing growth in the Western Cape.

EVENT DETAILS

•             Event: Cape Town Manufacturing Summit 2026



•             Date: Wednesday, 11 November 2026



•             Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Cape Town



•             Theme: Where African Manufacturing Meets Opportunity