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

Big 5 Global unites global suppliers, innovators and policymakers to support resilient, efficient and sustainable construction. (Image source: Big 5)

Across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, rapid urban expansion is reshaping economies at an extraordinary pace. With the United Nations forecasting that nearly 68% of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050, Africa in particular faces surging demand for housing, transport networks and large-scale urban infrastructure

As construction activity intensifies, industry stakeholders are turning to Big 5 Global (www.Big5Global.com) to source technologies and solutions that reinforce supply chains, boost efficiency and support sustainable development.

Welcoming participants from more than 165 countries, with 70% of solutions presented by international exhibitors, Big 5 Global serves as a gateway linking Africa’s construction community with a worldwide ecosystem of manufacturers, suppliers and technology providers.

Strengthening supply chains for project delivery

Big 5 Global hosts 2,800 exhibitors and showcases over 60,000 products, systems and services designed to enhance the reliability of construction operations. International pavilions from Germany and Italy return with advanced building materials such as high-performance concrete, cement, marble and stone technologies. India expands its presence with innovative MEP and smart construction systems suited for large projects across the Middle East and Africa. Austria and Pakistan also rejoin the event, displaying modular building solutions, interior systems and cost-efficient MEP technologies that streamline execution. Additional exhibitors from Armenia, Croatia, Hungary, Jersey, New Zealand, Norway and Serbia further widen procurement options for buyers seeking resilient and diversified sourcing channels.

“As Africa accelerates its infrastructure development agenda, collaboration across borders has become vital to advancing sustainable and resilient construction,” said Lufuno Ratsiku, president, South African Council for the Projects and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP) and managing director, Gentec Consulting. “Big 5 Global provides an essential meeting point for this exchange, connecting implementers, policymakers and innovators under one roof. Beyond theoretical discussion, it enables high-impact dialogue on urban development, construction and technology solutions, helping position Africa’s industry professionals at the forefront of regional growth and resilience.”

With regional demand rising, digital technologies are rapidly transforming procurement and project execution.

Technology reshaping procurement and construction workflows

At Digital Construction World, leading companies such as Autodesk, Nemetschek Group, Odoo, Premier Construction Software, Procore Technologies, RIB Software and Trimble highlight digital tools that improve transparency and coordination across supply chains. Odoo offers an integrated suite linking procurement, HR and operations, while Premier Construction Software simplifies budgeting and project management. Trimble demonstrates automated solutions that reduce site rework by up to 25%, directly improving project timelines and profitability. Meter Technology showcases its fully integrated digital platform that modernises surveying and engineering workflows by removing long-standing inefficiencies.

Ahmed Al-Ansary, chairman, founder and CEO of Meter Technology, commented, “Meter transforms surveying and engineering from traditional to tech-driven. As the world's first fully integrated digital platform, we've eliminated decades-old inefficiencies. Our AI-powered system completes complex projects within 48 hours with exceptional precision across nine countries. Big 5 Global offers the opportunity to connect with industry leaders and explore sector development worldwide under ‘From the UAE to the World’, where geospatial and engineering digital innovation forms the foundation of real estate sustainability.”

Sustainable manufacturing and advanced material innovation

Several global exhibitors are also reimagining material production, transportation and reuse to reduce environmental impact. China introduces a new Eco-Friendly Zone built entirely from recyclable materials and dedicated to low-carbon construction solutions.

Grundfos Gulf Distribution highlights high-efficiency pumping systems designed to cut water and energy consumption. Deewan Equipment Trading LLC presents modular and precast manufacturing plants that reduce onsite waste and speed up project timelines. Hitech Concrete Products showcases precast hollow-core and insulated wall systems engineered for superior thermal performance and lower material use.

GF returns with advanced MEP and sustainable building technologies that support efficient construction and environmentally conscious project delivery. "The region is pursuing one of the world’s most ambitious development programs, where sustainable water management is key to realizing this vision. GF is uniquely positioned to support this progress through its comprehensive solutions portfolio, our local presence including manufacturing, offsite-manufacturing and customer experience facilities, long-standing regional partnerships and dedicated teams who understand the market’s unique challenges," said Michael Rauterkus, executive committee member of GF and president of GF Building Flow Solutions.

These collective contributions are helping the UAE build smarter cities aligned with long-term net-zero ambitions.

“As rapid urbanisation increases demand for project efficiency, quality and delivery, the global construction landscape must accelerate efforts toward net-zero goals and cross-sector collaborations,” said Josine Heijmans, senior vice-president, dmg events. “Big 5 Global continues to connect government entities, international manufacturers and regional stakeholders, helping strengthen construction supply chains and advance sustainable growth across the built environment.”