The year 2015 will be a busy one for African business conferences.
We’re highlighting opportunities in sub-Saharan African transportation, infrastructure, investment and banking, healthcare and technology.
The following list of conferences is broken up into business sector categories to help you quickly find events that fit your interests in Africa, U.S. and U.K.
Also watch for AFKInsider‘s features on 2015 Africa Electric Power Conferences and 2015 Africa Oil, Gas and Mining Conferences lists.
South Africa Industry and Technology Fair (May 20-22, Johannesburg) The “umbrella event for African industry,” this event is a mix of 10 smaller conferences and workshops targeting manufacturing, engineering, water, petrochemical, plastics and the energy sectors. Representative companies include Pumps Valves & Pipes Africa; Watertec Africa; Petrotex Africa; Intermac Africa; Manutec Africa; Smart Automation Africa; Afriplast Expo; Energex Africa; IndustrialGreenTec Africa; and Empowertec Africa.
Technology, Media and Telecoms Africa Conference 2015 (Aug.19-20, Lagos, Nigeria) This conference will address issues concerning IT systems management, big data and analytics, innovation and technology from startups to multi-million dollar businesses. Expect to see a diverse group of participants, including government officials, information management officers, investors, telecom and cyber security experts, IT engineers, marketing professionals and entrepreneurs.
Breakbulk Africa 2015 (Feb. 16-19, Johannesburg) This conference offers the chance to investigate cargo transportation industry opportunities available in Africa. According to organizers, “the diversity of delegate titles, companies, cargoes and geographies that attend Breakbulk events creates a unique transactional environment not found at any other event.”
Africa Jet Fuel & Aviation Conference 2015 (Feb. 26-27, Johannesburg) This event provides strategy sharing and business networking opportunities, attracting attendees from leading aviation fuel producers and suppliers, aircraft and engine manufacturers, airport operators and airlines. Some of the issues to be tackled include expansion opportunities at African airports and improving African airline profitability.
7th Africa Transportation Technology Transfer Conference (May 11-15, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe) The International Road Federation partners with the Technology Transfer Center in Botswana to offer participants a chance to explore issues grouped around six themes: improving accessibility and transport services; new technology; road safety; pavement design and construction material specifications; and financing of transport infrastructure.
Africa Rail 2015 (June 30 – July 1, Johannesburg) African rail operators and heavy haul cargo owners meet to discuss infrastructure, efficiency, rolling stock procurement and operations issues that save time and money.
TransAfrica Exhibition and Conference (October 2015, Johannesburg – no date yet) This event unites all sectors of the transport industry — road, rail, pipeline, sea and air transport — to explore development and investment opportunities that drive regional growth, including new project opportunities, funding models and the modernization and maintenance of existing transport infrastructure.
13th Intermodal Africa 2015 Exhibition and Conference (Oct. 29-30, Lusaka, Zambia) The biggest annual container ports and terminal operations exhibition and conference in Africa, this event will feature 30 speakers addressing issues and challenges of global transportation. In attendance will be harbor masters, port engineers, maintenance supervisors and procurement decision makers together with the region’s leading shippers, cargo owners, importers/exporters, shipping lines, terminal and railway operators, and port equipment suppliers.
Ethiopia Summit (Feb. 4-5, Addis, Ethiopia) The Summit will draw more than 150 senior experts from a variety of industry sectors to discuss growth opportunities and challenges in Ethiopia. Panelists will discuss issues including: Is the state-led development model sustainable? What are the challenges faced by the private sector? Can the country avoid the pitfalls of other countries?
2015 SAVCA Private Equity Industry Conference (Feb. 12-13, Stellenbosch, South Africa) Hosted by the Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA), the theme is “Investing for Growth, Investing for Good.” This conference brings together private equity players, business leaders, institutional investors and advisors from the Southern African region and beyond. The conference will explore opportunities across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Bonds & Loans Africa 2015 (March 27-30, Cape Town) Focusing on the full range of debt products offered by African governments, banks and companies, this conference draws more than 450 local and international banks, borrowers, investors and financial service providers from across the continent to network and secure new investment.
4th Africa Insurance & Reinsurance Conference (June 23-24, Nairobi) This event will keep you up to date with the latest industry developments, marketing strategies, new technologies and product innovations relevant to the African insurance market.
BankingTech Africa 2015 (July 7-8, Johannesburg) BankingTech returns to Johannesburg to bring Africa’s banks together with leading technology vendors from around the world and offers opportunities to discuss new approaches and business models to Africa banking.
Nigeria Investment Forum 2015 (July 7-8, Abuja, Nigeria) This forum will provide local and international investors, companies, entrepreneurs, business leaders and policy makers an opportunity to access investment insights, share market analytics and learn about current project development opportunities for Nigeria.
Africa Business, Economic & Finance Conference 2015 (Dec. 2-3, Abuja, Nigeria) Targeting the financial sector in Africa, this annual conference is where financial practitioners, business leaders, government officials, investors and entrepreneurs will gather for interactive sessions and panels to share perspectives and strategies for developing and investing in Nigeria’s continuing growth.
3rd annual Africa Healthcare Summit 2015 (Feb. 26-27, London) With the Ebola crisis affecting the entire world, this European-based healthcare conference is especially relevant. An expected 300 ministers of health are expected to participate, along with senior hospital directors and healthcare professionals coming to network with international healthcare experts, investors and companies looking to enter the African health sector.
East Africa Energy Infrastructure Security Forum (Feb. 4-5, Nairobi) Recent security threats to the booming oil and gas industry of East Africa are the focus of this conference where delegates can share intelligence with relevant governmental bodies on how to secure ports and offshore assets, prevent pipeline sabotage and select security systems to match their particular needs.
Africa-Australia Infrastructure Conference 2015 (March 5-6, Victoria, Australia) This conference will highlight the emerging infrastructure development and business opportunities in Africa’s energy, ICT and telecoms, mining infrastructure, agribusiness, water and sanitation technology and transport sectors to the Australian business community. The event attracts key stakeholders such as Macquarie Bank, Worley Parsons, Engineers Australia, Cardno, Johnstaff, Snowy Mountains Engineering Corp., and Export Council of Australia.
