Messe Frankfurt South Africa has announced that three major industry events will be co-located with Futuroad Expo 2024, which takes place from 19-21 November at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg.
Regional Logistics and Transport Conference
This three-day conference, hosted by the South African and Zimbabwe Branches of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, is a landmark event for the logistics and transport sector in sub-Saharan Africa.
It will focus on five key pillars: Infrastructure, Harmonisation, Security, Skills Development and Technology & Digitalisation. The conference aims to address critical challenges such as the high cost of logistics in Africa, inadequate transport infrastructure and complex regulatory landscapes across African countries.
It will bring together industry experts, policy makers and stakeholders to discuss strategies for improving regional integration, boosting economic development and enhancing safety and security in the transport sector.
Urban Mechanics Summit and Awards
This innovative event aims to bridge the gap between informal township car service providers and the wider automotive aftermarket industry.
The summit will feature two days of interactive sessions focusing on critical issues such as access to finance, market opportunities, anti-competitive behaviour in the industry, skills development and access to accredited workshops.
It aims to expose township mechanics to the wider automotive industry, facilitate networking with key industry players and foster collaboration between township mechanics and established stakeholders.
The event will also include an awards ceremony to recognise excellence among township mechanics and highlight their contributions to the automotive industry and their communities.
E-Hailing Mobility Indaba
Organised by SAMTEA (South African Metered Taxi Association), this one-day event will focus on enabling e-hailing entrepreneurs to transition from owner-drivers to fleet owners.
The indaba will address key challenges in the e-hailing sector, such as rising operating costs and market saturation. It will showcase technological innovations that can transform the e- hailing landscape, including advances in telematics, electric vehicles and app-based operational management tools.
The event will feature skill-building workshops and seminars on topics such as advanced driving, customer service excellence and fleet management. An interactive exhibition will allow attendees to experience the latest products and services in the e-hailing and automotive services sectors. The Indaba will conclude with an awards ceremony celebrating excellence in the e-hailing industry.
Michael Dehn, Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt South Africa, emphasises the added value that these events will bring to Futuroad Expo attendees: “By hosting these three cutting-edge industry events alongside Futuroad Expo, we’re creating a powerhouse of knowledge sharing, networking and business opportunities.
“Attendees will gain insight into the full spectrum of the commercial vehicle sector – from grassroots mechanics to e-hailing entrepreneurs and logistics experts. This comprehensive approach ensures that every attendee, whether an OEM, fleet owner or independent operator, will find immense value in attending”.
Futuroad Expo is the only truly international show of its kind on the African continent, attracting visitors from across the sub-Saharan region. It serves as a comprehensive business platform for the truck, bus and commercial vehicle body sector.
From exploring the latest in vehicle technology and maintenance at Futuroad, to discussing regional logistics challenges, celebrating township mechanics and delving into the future of e-hailing services, Expo attendees will gain a holistic view of the current state and future direction of the industry.
Silent
Fast growing economy: Harvard’s Centre for International Development (CID) has estimated that the three fastest-growing economies until 2026 will be India, Uganda, and Egypt, growing at 7.89%, 7.46%, and 6.63% respectively. South Africa is projected to grow at 4.9% annually until 2026. This is an indication that the socio-political sphere will eventually stabilise and thus there is no reason to fear to have to start a new business.