Burning issues such as climate-smart infrastructure, sustainability in waste and water management, the circular economy and Extended Producer Responsibility will come under discussion at the three-day conference and forum at IFAT Africa and analytica Lab Africa in Johannesburg next week.

IFAT Africa is the leading conference and trade fair for water, sewage, refuse and recycling in Southern Africa, and is co-located with analytica Lab Africa - South Africa’s only trade fair for laboratory technology, analysis, biotechnology and diagnostics - to bring together a broad and overlapping water, waste and analytics ecosystem.

The trade fair forum and conference are attended by thousands of stakeholders from around the world, who come together to share knowledge and explore new and innovative solutions.

This year, IFAT Africa will feature two conference stages as well as an open forum, with thought-provoking presentations and discussions throughout each day of the conference.

Avisha Desai, Executive Director at Messe Muenchen India (MMI) says: “In addition to the vast exhibition areas showcasing the latest technologies for water and waste management, laboratories and analytics, we are also proud to present talks by global thought leaders on some of the most topical issues facing the water, waste, laboratory and analytics sectors today. With different talks throughout each day of the conference, these sessions are a must-attend for industry stakeholders and decision makers.”

Topical water presentations

The Blue Stage water-focused conference will include talks on Advancing Resilience and Water Security Through Smart Water and Sanitation Innovations presented by the Water Research Commission (WRC); WaterWise: Smart Tech & Strong Alliances presented by Strategic Water Partners Network (SWPN); Improving Municipal Performance: Accountability, Skills Development, and Service Delivery in the Water Sector presented by the German Water Partnership (GWP); and Building Resilience: Climate-Smart Water and Sanitation Infrastructure presented by Frost and Sullivan.

The Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy will outline Innovative Approaches to Water Conservation and Future Challenges in Water Supply for Businesses; the German Water Partnership (GWP) will host a session entitled Utilities United: Building Capacity through German – South African Operator Partnerships; and the German Academic Exchange

Service (DAAD) and German Water Partnership (GWP) will speak on Future-proof Water Strategies - Innovative approaches from Science and Industry. The Corrosion Institute of Southern Africa (CorrISA) will also present an engaging talk on The Importance of Asset Maintenance - A Closer look at the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.

Sustainable waste management in focus

At the Orange Stage waste management focused conference, speakers will focus on sustainability and the circular economy in Africa.

The International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) will present on Fabric of Change: Textile Waste Solutions for a Sustainable Africa; the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) will discuss Overcoming Challenges and Unlocking Solutions in Water Infrastructure Investment; and the German Chamber of Commerce (AHK) & German RETech Partnership e.V. will present a session on The Role of Local Communities in driving a Circular Economy in the Waste Management sector.

A session on Advancing the Biogas Sphere in Southern Africa and Beyond Will be hosted by the Southern African Biogas Industry Association (SABIA); the German RETech Partnership

e.V. and GreenForest Solutions GmbH will speak on Making EPR Work in SADC and East Africa: From Policy to Practice; the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN) will speak on Unlocking Sustainable Waste Management Models in Nigeria through Circular Economy; and the National Center for Waste Management (MWAN) will present a talk on Transforming the Waste Management

Sector in the Kingdom of Arabia.

Upstream Prevention, Downstream Innovation: A Circular Approach to Food Waste and Loss will be presented by the African Circular Economy Network (ACEN) and Circular South Africa (CSA); Circular Energy will speak on Collaborative Action for EPR: Building Stronger Partnerships Across the Value Chain; the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) will host a presentation on Making the Case for Transitioning from Open Dumpsites to Sanitary Landfills; and the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA) will present on The role of engineering in sustainable waste management.

Open Forum highlights 

At the Open Forum, highlights will include the Sustainable Futures Challenge hosted by the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA); Alumni Pitch Presentations by African DAAD Alumni; and presentations including German Water Technologies: Driving Innovation with European Funding for Research and Innovation by the Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment and  Consumer Protection;  Water Resource Management: Innovative Technologies for Water Treatment, Wastewater Purification and Sludge Disposal by the Committee for Industrial Policy, Innovation and Trade of St. Petersburg; Smart Water Quality: Analytical Innovation Meets Water Management by the German Water Partnership (GWP); and Mine Water: a challenge, an opportunity or both?

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