South African Manufacturers Seek Solutions Amid Rising Costs and Imports BODY: JOHANNESBURG – South African manufacturers are addressing escalating electricity costs and an influx of imports, prompting calls for increased domestic production and industrial renaissance.
The Manufacturing Indaba 2026, held at the Sandton Convention Centre, has become a focal point for industry leaders to discuss these challenges and explore opportunities for growth.
The CEO of Formex, Wayne Mos, highlighted the industry’s struggle to localize more products, reflecting a broader need for South Africa to produce more for export. This move is seen as a critical step towards addressing the nation’s soaring electricity costs and the surge in imported goods. Industry experts are advocating for a reindustrialization effort to create additional factory jobs and bolster the manufacturing sector.
The African Development Bank has echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the continent’s slow pace of industrialization and the need for accelerated transformation.
The Manufacturing Indaba has also drawn attention to the global shift in manufacturing focus, with significant investments in sectors such as semiconductors, automotive, and batteries in the United States. This underscores the importance of adapting to the evolving global landscape and retooling strategies to remain competitive.
The African Trade Report 2026 underlines the necessity of leveraging geopolitics for trade and industrialization, advocating for diversification of exports and strengthening economic resilience.
The conference highlighted several challenges, including import dependency, underinvestment, trade barriers, and a skills shortage, all of which are crucial areas for improvement.
As Africa seeks to industrialize, leveraging its abundant resources and youthful population will be essential in driving economic growth and job creation.
The Manufacturing Indaba 2026 provided a platform for discussing these challenges and identifying potential solutions, setting the stage for a more robust and competitive manufacturing sector across the continent.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
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