Messe Muenchen successfully concluded the latest edition of IFAT Africa from July 8–10, 2025, at the Gallagher Convention Centre, Johannesburg. The event affirmed its reputation as Africa’s premier trade fair for water, sewage, solid waste, recycling, and environmental solutions featuring 178 exhibitors from across the globe.
In addition, IFAT Africa was co-located with analytica Lab Africa 2025, South Africa’s only trade fair for laboratory technology, analysis, biotechnology and diagnostics, enabling valuable cross-sector engagement between environmental technology and laboratory diagnostics. The co-located events attracted 7768 trade visitors over 3 days.
The inauguration ceremony on July 8 was a distinguished affair, drawing attention from senior government officials, city administrators, and global diplomatic missions. Gracing the opening were dignitaries including Steve B Sidney, Executive Director at the South African National Laboratory Association (NLA); Boris Greifeneder, CEO of the German Water Partnership; Enrico Brandt, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany; Ingrid Woodrow, CEO of the South African Association for Food Science & Technology (SAAFoST); Lawrence M. Madikizela, National Chairperson of ChromSA’; Dr. Lester Goldman, CEO of the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA), Michelle Proude, Program Officer at the Strategic Water Partners Network; Patience Dabula, Project Manager at African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM); Patricia Schröder, CEO, Circular Energy & President at IWMSA; and Peter Varndell, CEO of the NEPAD Business Foundation; alongside ambassadors, consular representatives, industry leaders and more.
A high-profile Bavarian delegation participated in the trade show, including representatives from the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, among others. A key highlight of the program was a joint panel discussion featuring the Bavarian State Secretary and the Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs, and Development Planning.
Reflecting the continent’s growing demand for sustainable infrastructure, IFAT Africa 2025 served as a dynamic meeting point for technology providers, policymakers, municipalities, and private sector leaders.
Bhupinder Singh, CEO of event organisers Messe Muenchen India, said IFAT Africa was growing in stature and impact, and delivering on its mission to bring together pan-African industry stakeholders for discussion and discovery.
“This year’s international showcases were not just about import; they were about integration—solutions that align with South Africa’s social, technical, and economic contours,” he said.
Katharina Schlegel, Messe Muenchen Global Industry Lead IFAT, Project Director IFAT trade fairs abroad, said the event’s ongoing growth represents a real success story for the sector. “It also shows the need for this industry in Africa and all over the world.”
She noted that IFAT is staged around the world, with 12 international shows, and its newest edition to launch in Saudi Arabia. She remarked, “IFAT Africa 2025 has shown how technology and collaboration can shape sustainable urban futures in Africa. From water resilience to circular waste strategies, the innovation on display proves the industry’s commitment to addressing urgent environmental needs. This edition marks a milestone for meaningful partnerships between Africa and the global environmental community.”
Global collaboration and innovation on display
IFAT Africa 2025’s international pavilions from China, Germany, and Austria played a central role in connecting South African stakeholders to tested global solutions and adaptable technologies. This convergence of global engineering with local ambition created fertile ground for public-private dialogues, pilot project discussions, and tech-transfer agreements.
Thabo Kabini, Senior Specialist: Water Infrastructure at the IDC, commented:
“The IFAT Africa 2025 Conference and Exhibition was a remarkable success and a significant milestone in the water, sewage, refuse, and recycling sectors. The event brought together a diverse and influential group of stakeholders, including industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers. The atmosphere was vibrant and collaborative, with a strong emphasis on finding sustainable solutions to pressing environmental challenges. The conference offered a rich and engaging programme that explored critical topics such as water sector financing, waste engineering and the recovery of secondary raw materials. Attendees were treated to insightful panel discussions on the latest developments and innovations in the sector, delivered by both public and private sector experts. This event also provided a valuable platform for networking, allowing participants to forge new partnerships and strengthen existing ones.
The exhibition component was equally impressive, with a wide array of displays showcasing cutting-edge technologies and services. The presence of international global players underscored the global relevance of the event and highlighted opportunities for cross-border collaboration.”
Sectoral Highlights
IFAT Africa 2025 delivered a comprehensive cross-section of the environmental technology ecosystem, reflecting the interlinked nature of water security, waste recovery, and clean energy generation in Southern Africa.
From advanced membrane filtration and cloud-based SCADA systems to robotic recycling technologies and biogas generation units, IFAT Africa 2025 showcased a broad spectrum of innovations across water, waste, and energy.
Exhibitors addressed urgent national priorities—ranging from improving municipal water resilience and meeting Circular Economy Waste Guidelines, to innovative industry-specific solutions such as water treatment for mining and manufacturing, and grid-independent energy solutions. With a strong focus on localisation, cost-efficiency, and sustainability, the technologies on display offered actionable pathways to modernise South Africa’s infrastructure under growing environmental and economic pressure.
Robust Conference Engagement
The Orange Stage featured high-level discussions on circular economy practices, water infrastructure investment, and regional collaboration. Key sessions included “Finance and Investment for Water” by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), and thematic dialogues on sustainable waste practices in the fashion industry, operator partnerships in Southern Africa, and circular energy models. Industry bodies such as the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), and the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA) brought together experts from across the continent to examine financing models, engineering capacity, and policy frameworks for integrated waste and water systems.
Meanwhile, the Blue Stage addressed Africa’s pressing water resilience challenges with sessions focused on smart sanitation innovation, WASH delivery, and future-proof infrastructure. Led by organisations including the Water Research Commission (WRC), Strategic Water Partners Network (SWPN), German Water Partnership (GWP), and African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA), the program explored practical solutions for managing water stress, addressing corrosion in infrastructure, and building climate-smart systems. Research-driven panels and international cooperation models added depth to conversations, equipping municipalities and private players with tools to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency.
The Open Stage at IFAT Africa 2025 brought global perspectives and youth-driven innovation to the forefront. A standout feature was the ISWA Sustainable Futures Challenge, which engaged young professionals and students across two days in reimagining the future of waste management — underscoring IFAT’s role in nurturing the next generation of environmental leaders. The stage also featured a compelling session led by Talbot, exploring the topic ‘Mine Water: a challenge, opportunity, or both?’ which assessed the viability of turning mine-impacted water into a financially and technically sustainable resource. Together, these sessions underscored the Open Stage as a space for both future-focused innovation and critical industry dialogue.
The next edition of IFAT Africa will be held in July 2027 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
