Bookings are now open for the 2026 CIPS Southern Africa Connect & Engage Conference & Awards, the region’s flagship procurement and supply chain event.
The conference will return to Johannesburg on 5 and 6 August 2026, bringing together senior procurement professionals, supply chain leaders, policymakers and industry partners from across Southern Africa.
A growing regional platform
Hosted by the Chartered Institute for Procurement & Supply Southern Africa, the 2026 edition builds on the success of the 2025 conference, which attracted more than 300 delegates, with 20 per cent travelling from outside South Africa.
Johannesburg will once again serve as host city, reinforcing its role as a regional hub for business leadership, professional development and cross-border collaboration.
“The 2026 conference is about capturing the excellence within our profession and creating meaningful opportunities for engagement,” says Paul Vos, Regional General Manager at CIPS Southern Africa. “It’s about connecting people with ideas, with each other, and with the brands supporting the industry.”
What delegates can expect in 2026
Delegates can expect an interactive programme similar to 2025, featuring workshop-style sessions alongside new experiential brand touchpoints designed to deepen learning and networking.
Expanded exhibition and engagement spaces will allow closer interaction with solution providers and industry partners, while practical insights and peer-to-peer discussions remain central to the programme.
The conference will once again culminate in the Connect & Engage Awards, recognising excellence and leadership across the procurement and supply profession.
Global leadership and African focus
Ben Farrell, Global CEO of CIPS, has been confirmed as a returning dignitary. At the 2025 conference, Farrell highlighted the rising global importance of procurement and supply professionals, particularly in Africa’s increasingly interconnected role in global trade.
His address encouraged professionals to think more broadly about Pan-African sustainability, resilient supply chains and the development of local markets, themes that will continue into the 2026 programme.
Registration and ticket details
Delegates can register via the official CIPS Southern Africa microsite.
Earlybird ticket pricing is as follows:
• R7 000 for active CIPS members
• R9 000 for non-members
• R7 000 per ticket for corporate group bookings
Corporate groups can arrange bookings by emailing the CIPS Southern Africa sales team.
Companies and organisations interested in sponsorship opportunities are encouraged to contact the Connect & Engage team directly.
Further programme details, speakers and exhibitor announcements will be released in the coming weeks.
