Large outside exhibition areas. (Image source: Montgomery Group)

Industrial sectors form the backbone of South Africa’s economy. Mining, power, electrical, automation, transport and local manufacturing each play a distinct but interconnected role in driving economic growth, employment, exports and industrial development.

However, capital equipment purchases in these sectors are complex, high-value, and long-term investments that rely heavily on trust and strong supplier relationships.

Electra Mining Africa uniquely brings together all levels of the capital equipment decision-making chain in a single environment, providing a powerful platform for building those essential relationships. This unmatched ability to facilitate meaningful, face-to-face engagement positions the show as a key driver of growth across South Africa’s industrial landscape.

The event connects potential clients directly with industry leaders, engineers, technical specialists, and local partners, enabling side-by-side comparison of suppliers and brands. Visitors can explore equipment, technologies and solutions in one location, making it easier to assess specifications, localisation levels, and support models. The show also facilitates detailed technical discussions around systems, components, automation, electrification, and digital solutions, supported by case studies and expert insights. These interactions are difficult to replicate through other marketing channels and highlight the unique value of a large-scale trade show environment.

According to Eric Bruggeman, CEO of the South African Capital Equipment Export Council (SACEEC), South Africa exports R220-billion worth of mining technology globally each year, with export activity often increasing in the six to twelve months following Electra Mining Africa. This uplift is attributed to the show’s ability to stimulate the market, generate qualified leads, and support deal-making that feeds into the next investment cycle. “South African engineers are leaders in innovation and technology development, creating solutions for real-world industry challenges. The country’s leading mining technologies will be on display at Electra Mining Africa this September,” he says.

Electra Mining Africa 2024 was the biggest show to date, hosting 950 exhibitors across six exhibition halls and four outside areas, with 40,000 visitors in attendance. Charlene Hefer, Portfolio Director at Montgomery Group Africa, organisers of the show, says, “This year’s edition will be even larger and more dynamic, featuring over 1,000 exhibitors, expanded floor space, and a new outdoor ‘Orange Zone’ to accommodate additional OEMs and service providers. International exhibitors include companies from Australia, Austria, Canada and Poland. Beyond the exhibition floor, the event offers valuable networking, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing opportunities through seminars, technical workshops and informal engagement across the industrial ecosystem.”

As part of its commitment to delivering high-value, free-to-attend content, the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) will host the Seminar Theatre, reinforcing its role as a technical partner and creating opportunities for professional engagement around key industry themes. The Society for Automation Instrumentation Mechatronics and Computer Engineering (SAIMC) will present industry workshops on the second day, while the SA Institution of Mechanical Engineering (SAIMechE) will host the Skills and Career Hub throughout the event.

Visitors can also look forward to the return of the popular Forklift Driver Competition, organised by Lifting Africa. Winners of the Innovation and New Products Awards, a joint initiative between Electra Mining Africa and SACEEC, will be announced on the final day of the show.

“Electra Mining Africa is more than an exhibition; it is a cornerstone of South Africa’s industrial sector,” says Hefer. “Since its inception in 1972, it has facilitated billions in trade between exhibitors and local and global customers, connected SMMEs with global brands, and helped build resilient supply chains. By attending this September, visitors become part of a long-standing tradition of industry excellence and gain access to a platform that continues to launch major innovations.”

Electra Mining Africa will take place at Nasrec, Johannesburg, from 7–11 September 2026. Visitors can register at www.electramining.co.za  for free standard access to the exhibition. An upgraded visitor package is also available at R600 (approx. US$30) per person per day, or R2,000 (approx. US$100) per person for the full week, offering added comfort, convenience, and exclusive benefits to enhance the overall experience.

Almost 40,000 visitors attended Electra Mining Africa 2024 to discover latest innovations, products, systems, and services. (Image source: Montgomery Group Africa)

South Africa’s mining, power, electrical, automation, industrial, transport and manufacturing sectors form the backbone of the national economy

Collectively, they drive growth, generate employment and convert raw materials into value-added products that support trade and exports.

Electra Mining Africa brings these industries together in a dynamic trade show environment, offering a platform for buyers, sellers and decision-makers to connect, explore innovations and build partnerships. With in-person networking and cutting-edge exhibitor showcases, the event stands at the intersection of industry collaboration and business growth.

The biennial exhibition will introduce several new features in 2026, including an expanded outdoor exhibit area in the Arena at the Expo Centre. According to Montgomery Group Africa portfolio director Charlene Hefer, the addition of the Orange Zone responds directly to growing exhibitor demand.

"The new Orange Zone provides the additional space needed to accommodate more companies that want to showcase their equipment and innovations outside," said Hefer.

"There will be more original-equipment manufacturers than at previous shows and this level of representation will be of benefit to visitors interested in this particular sector as they are able to view, compare and evaluate the offerings all in one place. The Orange Zone complements the existing Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow Zones, creating an even more dynamic outdoor showcase."

Exhibitors in the outdoor areas will represent the full mining and industrial equipment value chain, ranging from global and local OEMs to leading component and service providers. Major OEMs such as Bell Equipment, Komatsu, Sandvik, Sany, Eickhoff, All Terrain Mining & Tunnelling Machinery, and Shantui (represented by Everstar Industries) will showcase complete machinery and technology solutions aimed at improving productivity and innovation.

These will be complemented by distributors, technology partners and service providers including Barloworld Equipment, Egelquip, GHM Machinery, Drilling Mining and Construction, Kappa Engineering, Alpin and nVolve Solutions. Together, they offer equipment support, automation technologies, parts, systems and engineering services that enhance operational efficiency and reliability. This broad participation ensures a comprehensive representation of the mining and industrial ecosystem, from manufacturing and digital integration to distribution, maintenance and operational excellence.

“The presence of these industry leaders will attract high-level buyers, engineers, and decision-makers seeking reliable, high-performance solutions, while also fostering partnerships, local manufacturing, and skills development,” noted Hefer.

Electra Mining Africa 2026 is already fully sold out, reflecting strong industry backing and reinforcing its reputation as a key driver of leads and sales. A range of sponsorship opportunities, however, is still available.

Taking place in Nasrec, Johannesburg, from 7–11 September 2026, Electra Mining Africa 2026 is a six-in-one trade exhibition, incorporating Electra Mining Africa, Automation Expo, Elenex Africa, PowerEx, Transport Expo and the Local Southern African Manufacturing Expo. It remains the largest event of its kind in Southern Africa and ranks among the biggest mining and industrial shows globally.

“We are really excited about Electra Mining Africa 2026,” remarked Hefer.

“Ranked in the top 2% of trade events globally, the 2024 event was the biggest ever show since the inaugural edition in 1972, hosting 950 exhibitors across 6 exhibition halls and 4 outside exhibit areas, with almost 40 000 visitors attending. Now, with the addition of the Orange Zone and other exciting initiatives, Electra Mining Africa 2026 is set to be even bigger! We’ve already surpassed the 2024 total exhibition floor space!”

Formoreinformation,visit: www.electramining.co.za 

Middle East Energy 2026 returns to Dubai World Trade Centre, uniting global power leaders for its 50th edition. (Image source: Middle East Energy)

Informa has announced the completion of preparations for the 50th edition of Middle East Energy Dubai 2026, scheduled to take place from 7 to 9 April 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, under the patronage of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure

The exhibition is the region's leading platform for the energy sector, enabling organisations to compare solutions, engage directly with suppliers, and accelerate project progress. The event attracts exhibitors from around the world, alongside broad participation from senior officials and decision-makers.

The exhibition also aims to support entities and institutions navigating current market dynamics, including delivery pressures, advanced technologies, and renewable energy priorities. It empowers participants to select partners, evaluate new products, and fast-track commercial discussions.

Ahmed Al Kaabi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Electricity, Water and Future Energy Sector at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, affirmed that the ministry's patronage of the 50th edition reflects the UAE's commitment to supporting specialised international platforms that enhance energy system integration and reinforce the country's position as a global hub for dialogue and cooperation in the energy sector.

He noted that the exhibition represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen partnerships and showcase the latest technologies and solutions supporting the energy sector's transformation, in line with the UAE Energy Strategy 2050. It further contributes to enhancing energy security and sustainability while supporting the competitiveness of the national economy.

"Middle East Energy brings buyers and sellers together, turning interest into actual demand," said Mark Ring, group director of Energy at Informa. He added that this edition focuses on outcomes through targeted business matchmaking, meaningful networking, product and service comparison, and delivering the insights and collaboration needed to drive trade today and accelerate the energy transition.

Middle East Energy Dubai 2026 will feature a comprehensive programme of specialised panel discussions, with the participation of more than 150 speakers from industry leaders and international experts. They will provide practical insights on energy transition, energy security, technological innovation, and sustainability, equipping decision-makers with the knowledge needed to conclude deals.

The exhibition further strengthens its position as a high-impact industrial marketplace. Its previous edition recorded commercial participation valued at approximately US$4.05bn, with 1,600 exhibitors and around 30,000 visitors and energy professionals. More than 1,200 senior officials and decision-makers attended, reflecting its global reach and influence.

To find out more and register, visit: https://link.informa.com/xsl

Mining Indaba is deliberately shifting influence beyond boardrooms and into the lived realities of mining-affected communities across the continent. (Image source: Mining Indaba)

Mining Indaba, in partnership with The Impact Facility Investing in African Mining, has doubled down on its commitment to communities by naming ten winners of its 2026 Community Voices Competition, up from five in 2025, and introducing complimentary tickets for community representatives and artisanal miners

The move sends a clear signal to the global mining industry: communities and Indigenous people are no longer on the margins of the conversation. They are shaping it.

As Africa’s most influential mining investment platform prepares for its 2026 edition in Cape Town from 9 to 12 February, Mining Indaba is deliberately shifting influence beyond boardrooms and into the lived realities of mining-affected communities across the continent.

The message is direct and uncompromising. The future of mining will be co-created with communities, or it will not be sustainable.

Delivered through the Mining Community Voices platform in partnership with The Impact Facility, the initiative places grassroots leaders alongside mining executives, investors and policymakers as equal contributors to the dialogue shaping Africa’s mining future.

Under the 2026 theme Stronger Together: Progress Through Partnership, Mining Indaba is embedding community experience into the core of its agenda, not as a side programme but as a strategic pillar of the event.

“This is not about representation for optics,” said Laura Nicholson, industry director at Mining Indaba. “By doubling the number of Community Voices winners, we are making it clear that communities are central to decision making across the mining value chain. Stronger Together is a call to action for how mining must operate going forward.”

Community Voices driving the agenda

The ten Community Voices winners represent a new generation of leadership rooted in accountability, economic realism and social impact, spanning Kenya, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and beyond.

Among them is Nkosi Sibanda, regional manager for the Africa Division at the Human Rights Measurement Initiative.

“We are strongest when prosperity is shared, justice is served, and decisions are made at the same table,” Sibanda said.

Sibanda will join fellow Community Voices winners Maureen Mwuese Mato and Alpha Ntayomba as speakers on the panel Stronger Together in Practice: Building Meaningful Partnerships in Critical Mineral Communities on Tuesday, 10 February. The session is designed to move beyond principle into practice, examining what functional partnerships between communities, companies and the state look like on the ground.

“Progress becomes truly sustainable when communities are not just included but have a real seat at the table as trusted partners shaping their own futures,” said Mato, monitoring and evaluation officer at Ziva Community Initiative.

Alpha Ntayomba, executive director and natural resources management expert at the Population and Development Initiative, underscored the economic stakes. “Mining contributes 10.1% to Tanzania’s GDP, up from 3.5% in previous years. The challenge now is ensuring that this growth delivers lasting value for communities.”

Other winners reinforced a broader reframing of mining success.

“Responsible mining is not just about what we extract, but how we organise land, infrastructure and communities around the resource,” said Ayoo Liza of the Kenya Chamber of Mines.

“Progress is not measured in tons of minerals extracted, but in roads repaired and access to basic social services,” added Prisca Bahati from the Women Entrepreneurs Initiative for Sustainable Development.

From entrepreneurship to engineering, the winners reflect a holistic vision of value creation. Yamikani Jimusole, founder and CEO of Yami Gemstone Lab and Exports, said she is committed to “turning gemstones into stories of growth and opportunity for Africa.”

Sapiens Ndatabaye, founder and CEO at Xeltis Ltd, framed the issue globally. “Africa has a key role to play in ensuring equitable access to the minerals that underpin the global economy. That responsibility comes with shared accountability.”

From community voices to system-wide change

The Community Voices platform is not an endpoint. It feeds directly into a broader Community and Indigenous Peoples agenda at Mining Indaba 2026 that tackles the sector’s most pressing social and economic questions, including:

• Mining investment models that deliver shared prosperity
• Regional alliances to amplify community impact
• Partnerships to ensure communities benefit from critical minerals
• Post-mine closure strategies that drive economic renewal
• Fair and ethical community resettlement

These sessions bring together traditional leaders, CEOs, financiers, sustainability executives and governments across multiple days, reinforcing that community outcomes are inseparable from commercial success.

David Sturmes Verbreek, Co-Founder of The Impact Facility, said the shift is long overdue. “Community engagement is no longer a compliance exercise. It is an investment strategy. Companies that understand this will unlock resilience, trust and long-term value.”

Mining Indaba’s commitment to investing in people is also reflected in the elevation of past Community Voices winners into leadership roles on the agenda. Sonwabo Modimoeng, a winner of the MI25 Community Competition, returns in 2026 as a moderator, now serving as Social Performance Manager at Mogale Tailings Retreatment.

“Mining can only be sustainable when communities are not an afterthought, but true partners in value creation,” said Estrella Matondo, senior community social performance advisor at Rio Tinto and a 2026 Community Voices winner.

Mining Indaba 2026 is drawing a line under performative engagement. The ten Community Voices winners are not symbolic. They are strategic.

View the full Communities and Indigenous Peoples agenda and be part of the conversations shaping the future of African mining at Mining Indaba 2026.

https://miningindaba.com/agendas/conference-agenda