Smart Industry Forum 2025
  1. Events
  2. Smart Industry Forum 2025

Smart Industry Forum 2025

Virtual
June 26, 2025
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (East Africa Time)
06
Days
10
Hours
39
Minutes
52
Seconds

The Smart Industry Forum is the premier event for senior technology and business leaders in the manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, and supply chain industry in Africa. This event will bring together industry experts, thought leaders, and key decision makers to discuss the latest advancements in technology and its impact on the manufacturing and supply chain industry. As the fourth industrial revolution continues to unfold, Industry 4.0 technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and blockchain are reshaping the way we approach manufacturing and logistics. The manufacturing sector in Africa holds significant potential as the continent navigates the path to recovery post-pandemic. Experts project that by 2030, the sector could reach a value of $666.4 billion.

Agile. Safe. Connected

Conference Image
Conference Image

Topics & Themes

At this year's Smart Industry virtual forum, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from industry leaders on topics such as:

Industry 4.0 State of the Union

Digital Supply Chain Transformation

Smart Manufacturing & Factory Automation

Cybersecurity in Industry 4.0

Supply Chain Resilience and Agility

IoT in Manufacturing and Logistics

Sustainable Manufacturing and Circular Economy

Collaborative Robotics (Cobots)

Target Audience

This event is designed for senior leaders in the manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, and supply chain industry, including CEOs, CTOs, CIOs, and heads of operations. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and network with your peers in the industry.

  1. Chief Executive Officers
    Chief Executive Officers
  2. Chief Information Officers
    Chief Information Officers
  3. Chief Technology Officers
    Chief Technology Officers
  4. Chief Financial Officers
    Chief Financial Officers
  5. Procurement Managers
    Procurement Managers
  6. Production Planners
    Production Planners
  7. Distribution and Logistics Managers
    Distribution and Logistics Managers
  8. Quality Control Managers
    Quality Control Managers
  9. Demand Planners
    Demand Planners
  10. Risk Managers
    Risk Managers
Speakers

Just like the speakers below, you too have a chance to share your expertise — apply now to speak and inspire the next wave of industrial innovation!

CEO, Kenya Association of Manufacturers
Founder & CEO, Dotsavvy Limited
Head of IT | CIO, Car and General PLC
Carol Odero
Head of Content, dx5
Global IT Director, BURN Manufacturing
Agenda
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Registration and Networking Breakfast
9:00 AM - 9:10 AM
Welcome Remarks
9:10 AM - 9:40 AM
Keynote
Top 5 Trends in Global Manufacturing Tech – & How Africa Can Leapfrog
As 4.0 evolves into 5.0, global manufacturing is being redefined by incredibly rapid advances in automation, AI, robotics, digital supply chains, and (sustainable) innovation. For Africa, this technological shift offers not just challenges — but a chance to leapfrog legacy systems and build smart, scalable, and future-ready industries. It is an energising opening keynote to spotlight the top five technology trends transforming manufacturing worldwide, while laying out a bold vision for how Africa can harness these shifts to drive industrial growth, create meaningful jobs, and position itself as a competitive global player.
9:40 AM - 10:00 AM
What Keeps Africa’s Industrial Leaders Awake at Night? Talent, Tech or Transition?
Our industrial transformation is underway — but it’s not without growing pains. Is the talent pipeline ready for the smart factory era? Are digital investments yielding real productivity? And how do you lead through transition while keeping operations lean and future-ready? It is a dialogue that goes beyond buzzwords to reveal the hard trade-offs, bold bets, and leadership lessons from the frontlines of modern-day manufacturing.
Tobias
Tobias Alando
CEO, Kenya Association of Manufacturers
10:00 AM - 10:40 AM
Panel Discussion
Will AI Replace the Industrial Worker — or Make Them Smarter?
As AI becomes more embedded in manufacturing — from predictive maintenance to robotic process automation — questions about the future of work loom. Will AI displace the industrial workforce, or empower it to reach new heights of productivity and safety? It is a provocative conversation. One that invites debate on the real impact of AI on factory jobs in Africa. Beyond the hype, how is AI is reshaping job roles? How urgent is the need for reskilling? Can the rise of intelligent machines lead to a culture where they can truly coexist with a thriving, human-centered workforce?
Moses
Moses Kemibaro
Founder & CEO, Dotsavvy Limited
moderator
Gilbert
Gilbert Mutai
Head of IT | CIO, Car and General PLC
panelist
10:40 AM - 11:00 AM
Securing the Smart Factory: Cyber Risks, Resilience & the Human Factor
With manufacturing becoming more connected, cyber threats are migrating from the data centre to the production line. Beginning by exploring the growing attack surface in smart factories — from IoT-enabled devices to remote-access vulnerabilities — to why cybersecurity must now be as embedded as automation itself. This session will further highlight how employee awareness, real-time monitoring, and zero-trust architectures can protect both systems and people.
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Networking Tea and Coffee Break
11:00 AM - 11:20 AM
Harnessing Predictive Analytics to Drive Production Efficiency
Industry 5.0 means data is no longer just a by-product of manufacturing—it’s the fuel. Powering smarter, faster, and leaner operations. Predictive analytics is transforming production efficiency through the forecasting of equipment failures before they happen, optimising maintenance schedules, reducing downtime, and improving quality control. Machine learning algorithms, real-time sensor data, and historical trends come to play to make data-driven decisions that improve throughput and reduce operational costs.
11:20 AM - 11:40 AM
Digitising Africa’s Supply Chains: Manufacturing’s Next Frontier
It is true that Africa’s manufacturing sector is only as strong as the supply chains supporting it. With global disruptions exposing vulnerabilities in procurement, logistics, and inventory systems, the case for digitising supply chains has never been stronger. Unpacking how technologies like blockchain, IoT, cloud platforms, and AI are being used to streamline operations, improve traceability, and boost transparency from raw materials to finished goods becomes the stuff of business strategy and impact.
11:40 AM - 12:20 PM
Fireside Chat
Cloud, Edge, & Data: The Invisible Infrastructure Behind Smart Industry
Smart factories don’t run on machines alone — they run on data. Industry must explore the critical but often overlooked digital backbone enabling real-time decision-making, automation, and efficiency across modern manufacturing. From edge computing powering instant machine insights on the factory floor, to cloud platforms that centralise data for advanced analytics and AI, examine the interplay of cloud, edge, and data architecture. Watch how they form the foundations of a truly intelligent industrial ecosystem.
12:20 PM - 1:00 PM
Panel Discussion
The Role of Leadership in Driving Industrial Transformation
Behind every successful industrial transformation, lies bold, adaptive leadership. With Africa's manufacturing sector evolving into smart, tech-enabled operations, the role of industrial leaders is radically shifting from operational managers to strategic visionaries. Leaders must reimagine business models, build a culture of innovation, navigate digital disruption, and drive workforce transformation. They must also navigate regulatory landscapes and champion sustainability and digital skilling.
Carol
Carol Odero
Head of Content, dx5
moderator
James
James Muritu
Global IT Director, BURN Manufacturing
panelist
1:00 PM - 1:20 PM
Vote of Thanks and Farewell
Sponsor

Join us as a sponsor and connect with a vibrant community of industry leaders and experts in manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, and supply chain industries in Africa. Gain unparalleled visibility, engage with top-tier attendees, and showcase your brand as a leader. With customizable sponsorship tiers, tailored marketing opportunities, and prime networking access, this is your chance to amplify your reach and align your brand with innovation and excellence.

Partners

African eDevelopment Resource Centre
Loading...