SMMEs participated as delegates and exhibitors, showcasing products and services across ICT, manufacturing, FMCG, construction, and professional services.
Corporates were represented in the structured Supplier MatchUp sessions, with 90 procurement professionals engaging directly with SMMEs.
ESD Hosts included Absa, Telkom, Afrisam, Afrimat, Alexander Forbes, PepsiCo, Sasol, Sedfa
SMME Engagement
654 qualified business leads were generated through Supplier MatchUps, valued at approximately R17,015,000.
145 onsite deals were reported, with an estimated value of R7,635,000.
SMMEs gained access to capacity-building sessions in the Knowledge Hub on funding readiness, compliance, tendering, and digital transformation.
Feedback showed that SMMEs left with practical tools, direct buyer connections, and renewed confidence to engage procurement teams.
Open Day Success
- The Open Day drew 1,690 visitors (from 4,766 pre-registrations), achieving a record turnout in 14 years.
- The venue was at full capacity, with strong traffic to exhibition stands.
- Exhibiting SMMEs gained visibility and new market exposure through continuous engagement with buyers, Indaba delegates, and visitor.
Networking and Entertainment
- The event opened with live drumming entertainment, creating a vibrant atmosphere for collaboration.
- The Absa Networking Cocktail allowed SMMEs, buyers, and sponsors to extend conversations and build stronger relationships in a relaxed setting.
- As the Expo was co-located with the 19th Annual Smart Procurement World Indaba, SMMEs benefitted from additional exposure to 675 procurement and supply chain professionals.
- With the Indaba hosted in Hall 4, delegates passed through the exhibition hall, ensuring a steady flow of engagement opportunities for SMMEs.
Building Connections
Structured MatchUps led to immediate deal-making, while informal networking created opportunities for deeper, trust-based conversations.
SMMEs established peer-to-peer collaborations to strengthen their offerings.
Buyers scheduled follow-up meetings, ensuring that connections made during the Expo continue beyond the event.
The combination of the Smart Supplier Conference, Knowledge Hub, Supplier MatchUps, and informal networking created a holistic journey of readiness, engagement, and outcomes.
Why Buyers Attended
- To identify innovative, diverse suppliers aligned to procurement needs.
- To streamline sourcing by engaging with a vetted pool of SMMEs in one consolidated platform.
- To meet transformation and ESD targets while uncovering competitive supplier solutions.
- To share procurement processes and guide SMMEs on how to access their supply chains.
- To participate in a collaborative ecosystem where meaningful, long-term partnerships can be developed.