Looming water and waste management crises will top the agenda at IFAT Africa 2023, the leading event for the water, sewage, refuse and recycling industry in southern Africa next month.

IFAT Africa 2023 returns to Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand from 5 – 7 July, after a four-year hiatus due to Covid-19 lockdowns. The event features an extensive exhibition area, co-located with analytica Lab Africa, as well as a high-level conference, workshops and demos.

Organisers Messe Muenchen India and Messe München GmbH, this week unveiled the IFAT Africa 2023 conference programme.

Southern Africa’s water challenges will come under discussion in sessions on avoiding a crisis in water infrastructure in South Africa; corrosion and water wastage; water challenges and opportunities in the midst of unreliable power supply; innovative methods for ensuring safe drinking water for all in Africa; associations as drivers for water sector development; and decentralised capacity building for Africa.

Delegates will also hear AfWASA’s Call to Action on accelerating water and sanitation for all in Africa and the South African Youth Water Action Plan; and innovative, resource- and energy-efficient industrial water and wastewater treatment concepts. A session on sustainable water reclamation with integrated resource recovery in the context of the Water Energy Food Nexus Hub will address nature-based approaches to improve shared environmental and water resources.

Public Private Partnerships for water and sanitation infrastructure in Southern Africa; and Challenges and solutions to clinical, healthcare and research laboratory waste management will come under discussion in topical panel discussions. Also under discussion will be opportunities in the circular economy, as well as extended producers responsibility as an enabler of a circular economy will come under discussion  

Also on the agenda will be topics such as EU-AU co-operation and funding for research and innovation ambitions; resource efficiency in industry in Southern Africa; and biogas industry drivers, barriers, and solutions.

The IFAT Africa exhibition and conference is presented in collaboration with leading industry associations including the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA), Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA), Corrosion Institute of South Africa, Strategic Water Partners Network SA, Southern Africa Biogas Association (SABIA), the Southern Africa Capital Equipment Export Council (SACEEC),  African Sustainable Energy Association (AFSEA), German Water Partnership, Bavarian Research Alliance, Bavarian State Ministry, Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste, and the NEPAD Business Foundation.