Exporters Western Cape (EWC) is endorsing the Cape Town Manufacturing Summit 2026, which will bring manufacturers and industry stakeholders together at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on 11 November.
Under the banner Manufacturing the Cape. Connecting Africa. Competing Globally, the summit will examine opportunities to strengthen manufacturing competitiveness in the Western Cape and beyond, with exports and market access among the topics on the agenda.
EWC chairman Terry Gale said growing the province’s manufacturing sector was important to expanding its exports.
“We want to see more Western Cape manufacturers taking their products into international markets. That requires an environment in which businesses can produce competitively and get their goods to customers reliably,” he said.
“The summit is an opportunity to bring manufacturers into the same room as the people who can help address the challenges they face and support their growth.”
The programme will cover industrial growth, investment and localisation, alongside advanced manufacturing and skills development. Discussions will also examine sustainability and energy, providing delegates with an opportunity to consider how these issues affect their operations and competitiveness.
Speakers include Mark Goliath of the Industrial Development Corporation, Grant Stevenson of the Production Technologies Association of South Africa, Lebalang Molobele of NAACAM, John Lawson of the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Eustace Mashimbye of Proudly South African and Garth Williams of the Western Cape Government.
Gale encouraged EWC members and the wider export community to attend.
“Manufacturing and exporting are closely linked. We encourage our members to take part in these discussions and explore where they can work with manufacturers to help grow Western Cape trade,” he said.
The Cape Town Manufacturing Summit takes place on 11 November 2026 at the CTICC, Cape Town.
