• 7,768 visitors from 20+ countries attended analytica Lab Africa co-located with IFAT Africa.
• 138 exhibitors from 12 countries at analytica Lab Africa
• Event reinforces global analytica trade show prominence 
• Sustainability, digital transformation & excellence in focus at Lab Forum

Thousands of thought leaders and industry stakeholders congregated at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg from 8 - 10 July 2025, for the most successful edition of analytica Lab Africa yet.

Organised by Messe Muenchen India and Messe München GmbH, analytica Lab Africa is South Africa’s only trade fair for laboratory technology, analysis, biotechnology and diagnostics. Over the three days of the trade show, 138 international and local exhibitors showcased innovations across the gamut of laboratory technology, analysis and biotechnology solutions, while the analytica Lab Africa Laboratory Forum hosted panel discussions, presentations and demonstrations on key issues such as digital transformation, ethics, quality assurance, the regulatory environment, and sustainable practices. Over 50% of exhibitors participated for the first time in 2025, which is indicative of the powerful opportunities that the exhibition presents to support industry growth and to connect business decision makers.  

analytica Lab Africa 2025, co-located with IFAT Africa, secured its highest-ever percentage of visitors this year. The co-located events attracted 7768 visitors, with delegates flying to South Africa from across the continent and around the world to share knowledge and discuss key issues in the sector. These events optimise the synergies across the laboratories, science and innovation sectors and the water, sewage and waste treatment sectors.

World class value proposition

Bhupinder Singh, President – IMEA, Messe Muenchen and CEO, Messe Muenchen India.“What impressed me most about analytica Lab Africa 2025 was the clarity of purpose. Companies came not just to exhibit, but to engage—with solutions, with partners, and with the African market in a meaningful way. You could see the shift from showcasing products to solving problems. That’s a sign of an industry moving forward.”

Susanne Grödl, Exhibition Director - analytica worldwide shows at Messe Muenchen, reports that the 2025 trade show was the third edition of the biennial analytica Lab Africa. “We started in 2019, when the event was first brought to South Africa. Since then, it has grown significantly to become a real success story.”

She attributed its success to world class thought leadership content, vast exhibition area, and the unique opportunity it presents for industry networking.

“We had 138 exhibitors, and we were very proud to have had a huge German delegation with a pavilion and 13 exhibitors, as well pavilions from China and the UK pavilion, organised by Gambica, the specialist association for UK companies shaping the future of industrial and laboratory technologies.

She noted that analytica is staged around the world and has been the world's leading trade fair for the innovative laboratory technology and pioneering biotechnology for five decades.

Speaking at the official opening, Steve B Sidney, Executive Director of the National Laboratory Association (NLA), said: “The longevity and success of analytica Lab Africa is an indication of how much it is needed. This kind of event offers a unique opportunity for parties to meet, network and make the right connections.”

CPD accredited Lab Forum covers industry’s most topical issues

At analytica Lab Africa’s CPD accredited Lab Forum, industry thought leaders captivated audiences with global trends insights, updates and discussions. The Laboratory Forum was presented by the Southern African Laboratory Diagnostics Association (SALDA) - a body representing multinational and local companies who distribute, supply and manufacture In Vitro Diagnostic tests, the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) - a pan-African organisation committed to achieving a healthier Africa by increasing access to quality laboratory services for all, and the Society of Medical Laboratory Technology of South Africa (SMLTSA) - the industry body for South African  medical laboratory professionals.

Sarah Cohen, Executive Officer of SALDA, and also a speaker at the event, noted: “A lot of lab professionals attended the Forum, and we’ve had many robust discussions. For us as an industry association, this has been very positive, and we hope to collaborate with the analytica Lab Africa team in future events.”

She added: “CPD points are critical for our industry in that all lab professionals need to be registered with the Health Professionals’ Council and need a minimum of 30 clinical and ethics CPD points per year. The Lab Forum with its esteemed speakers presented an opportunity for lab professionals to continue their professional development and earn CPD points at the event at no cost, so this was a major drawcard for all the laboratory professionals who attended.”

Among the topics the forum addressed were IVD and diagnostics and laboratory and technology landscapes, Lab Strengthening Systems; a Digital Transformation Playbook, in-depth panel discussions focused on quality assurance practices, training and competency, audits and accreditation, and funding and industry roles.

The presentations also explored topical issues such as pandemic preparedness, the continental regulatory process for certification or listing of priority in-vitro diagnostics (IVD), and partnerships and innovations for the laboratory industry and patient care, ethics, considerations for materials waste management,  laboratory excellence, Cleanroom, and 3D Cell Culture.

Another highlight was the Lasec® Pavilion Forum Stage, which featured three days of supplier presentations on the latest innovations, technologies, and solutions in the laboratory and scientific industry.  

Unique opportunities for exhibitors

A broad range of exhibitors participated - including long-time supporters and many new brands. Among them were professional industry bodies SALDA - which hosted an SME pavilion, ASLM and SMLTSA, the South African Association of the Flavour & Fragrance Industry (SAAFFI), the South African Association for Food Science and Technology (SAAFoST), ChromSA - a division of the South African Chemical Institute, and the National Laboratory Institute South Africa (NLA).

On an extensive exhibition floor, leading brands including Anatech, Lasec® (Silver Sponsor), Merck (Bronze Sponsor), Metrohm, Microsep and National Separations, Monitoring and Control, Sartorius, Shimadzu, Verder Scientific and Wirsam showcased and demonstrated their latest solutions. 

The German industry association for Optics, Photonics, Analytical and Medical Technologies (Spectaris) showcased German excellence in analytical, biotechnology and laboratory technology at a German Pavilion at analytica Lab Africa. 

Jennifer Goldenstede, Head of Foreign Trade and Export Promotion at Spectaris, said: “analytica Lab Africa presented a valuable opportunity to strengthen our presence in Southern Africa and gain deeper insights into this dynamic and rapidly evolving region. For us, the event is more than just a showcase — it is a strategic platform to explore new distribution channels, connect with both established dealers and potential end-users, and better understand the specific application fields that are driving demand in the region.”

Shimadzu, who celebrate their 150th anniversary this year, highlighted their precision instruments, measuring instruments and medical equipment. Darryl Harris, Executive Vice President at Shimadzu, said: “For us, coming to this event enables us to raise awareness of how long we have been in existence and the quality of our products. It allowed us to catch up with existing customers, and meet new prospective customers in an environment conducive for networking and doing business.”

Lasec®, another long-standing industry giant which turns 80 this year, showcased groundbreaking innovations including a  Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) partner, highlighting how AI-driven data management can enhance lab efficiency. Once considered exclusive to specialised labs, LIMS is now more accessible and essential for most laboratories. Visitors were able to experience a biotechnology-focused lab setup connected to a mock LIMS system.

Labotec, suppliers of laboratory equipment and analytical instruments to sub-Saharan Africa, marked its 65th anniversary by participating in analytica Lab Africa. 

Dylan Groves, General Manager at Verder Scientific Africa, said: “analytica Lab Africa has been a fantastic experience for us. We’ve had an array of high quality visitors asking the right questions from various industries and met our objectives in terms of customer reach. Our customers have been clear in terms of their needs, helping us to understand their challenges and share ideas, enabling us to solve their problems.”

The next analytica Lab Africa will take place in Johannesburg in July 2027.