Sassda News

Sassda proudly endorsed and participated in the Manufacturing Indaba 2025, held in Johannesburg, in July 2025. Themed “Igniting Africa’s Industrial Revolution: Innovation, Integration and Inclusive Growth,” the event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and manufacturing innovators to shape the future of African industry and Sassda was there to ensure that stainless steel has a front-row seat at the table.

Sassda Market Intelligence Specialist Tebogo Nkwe comments, “Sassda’s attendance at events like Manufacturing Indaba is not symbolic, it’s strategic. The aim is to connect our members to the industrial ecosystems and opportunities shaping Africa’s future,”

Africa’s Manufacturing Moment

The overarching message from the Indaba was clear: Africa is ready to industrialise at scale, and the conditions are rapidly aligning. The continent’s abundant raw materials, growing youth population, and increasingly connected markets present a powerful base for long-term manufacturing growth.

Key takeaways from the two-day conference included:

1. AfCFTA: A Turning Point for Intra-African Trade 

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) took centre stage, with experts calling it the most significant trade shift in the continent’s history. With 37 countries already implementing its framework, the AfCFTA is removing trade barriers, harmonising standards, and laying the foundation for regional supply chains. “This agreement is Africa’s opportunity to move from a fragmented market into a unified industrial force but we need infrastructure and coordination to make it real,” said one panellist. For Sassda members, AfCFTA offers a potential stepchange in export  opportunities, particularly for value added stainless steel products used in food processing, infrastructure, energy, and transport.

2. Rail Infrastructure: The Backbone of Trade

Pan-African integration means nothing without the logistics to support it. Several speakers pointed to rail infrastructure as the critical link in the manufacturing chain. Without a reliable, cross-border freight network, even the most competitive African manufacturers will be hamstrung by bottlenecks and high transport costs. The message? Efficient, modern rail is not optional, it’s a strategic necessity. For the stainless steel sector, this translates to demand in rail systems, wagons, stations, and terminals, all requiring corrosion-resistant, durable materials.

3. Sustainable Industrialisation: Greening the Revolution

Sustainability was not an afterthought, it was a central theme. African manufacturers are looking to leapfrog into green industrial models, from decarbonised steel production to solar-powered factories and waste-to energy systems. As global supply chains demand lower carbon footprints, African producers are under pressure to align. Stainless steel with its 100% recyclability, durability, and low life-cycle costs is ideally placed to  support this transition.

4. Digital Manufacturing and Industry 4.0

Africa’s industrial future is not just about scale; it’s about smart scale. Sessions on AI, robotics, and automation made it clear: embracing digital manufacturing is not a luxury, it’s a survival strategy. Several South African firms showcased innovations in automated welding, precision fabrication, and data-driven production planning. Sassda sees growing potential for its members to provide the components, tooling, and engineering solutions that underpin these next-generation systems.

5. Skills, Youth, and Inclusive Growth

No revolution can succeed without people. Speakers consistently stressed the need for upskilling, inclusion, and human capital investment. Training programmes, especially those targeting youth and women, were highlighted as essential to meeting future industrial labour needs. This aligns closely with Sassda’s ongoing training initiatives, which are geared to boost technical capacity and unlock employment pathways in stainless steel fabrication, welding, and manufacturing.

6. From Minerals to Markets: Beneficiation Takes Priority

With abundant critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and platinum, Africa stands at the heart of the global energy transition. But speakers stressed that exporting raw materials alone is not enough. Local beneficiation, processing and refining these resources within African borders is now the priority. This shift represents a direct opportunity for Sassda members, as stainless steel infrastructure is essential to beneficiation facilities,
including pressure vessels, piping systems, tanks, and filtration equipment.

The Role of Sassda: From Dialogue to Delivery

Sassda’s presence at the Indaba wasn’t about observation. It was about connecting the stainless steel industry with the big picture. The association continues to champion member interests by engaging at the policy level, identifying sector specific opportunities, and supporting export development. Nkwe adds, “This is where the roadmap is drawn. From AfCFTA to infrastructure investment and skills development, the themes discussed at the Manufacturing Indaba translate directly into demand for stainless steel solutions and our job is to make sure our members are part of the implementation,” she stresses.