IFAT Africa

What IFAT Africa does

IFAT Africa is a biennial trade fair and exhibition platform focused on environmental technologies — water, sewage, refuse, and recycling — serving the Sub-Saharan African market. Operated by Messe Muenchen South Africa (Pty) Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the German exhibition giant Messe München GmbH, the event was launched following the South African entity's incorporation in 2012 and currently operates with a lean team of 8 employees led by CEO Suzette Scheepers, headquartered in Johannesburg with sales representation across Munich and Mumbai. The 2025 edition featured 172 exhibitors from 19 countries across 6,000 square meters at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, co-located with analytica Lab Africa to create cross-industry exposure.

The platform's core product is the trade fair itself, supported by an exhibitor application system, online visitor registration, country pavilions (Austria, China, Germany, Italy, Netherlands), a supporting conference program, and an exhibitor directory. Technology infrastructure is conventional event-management tooling (MMI Connect Africa platform, online registration, virtual venue tour) rather than a proprietary technology stack. The company holds the IFAT trademark under license from Messe München, is UFI Approved, and is FKM Certified, lending externally validated credibility.

IFAT Africa generates revenue primarily from exhibitor booth and stand rental fees, with secondary income from sponsorship and marketing services sold to exhibitors. Visitor tickets are free for pre-registered trade visitors and R50 for walk-ups, making ticket revenue immaterial. The GTM motion is event-driven and biennial, amplified by cross-promotion through Messe München's global IFAT network (IFAT Munich, IFAT India, IFAT Eurasia, IE expo China, IFAT Brasil, SIWW Singapore) and a deep ecosystem of 20+ institutional partners including WISA, IWMSA, ISWA, DWA, German Water Partnership, NEPAD, UNIDO ITPO, GIZ, and the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa.

Name

IFAT Africa

Legal name

Messe Muenchen South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Website

https://ifat-africa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

IFAT Africa is a biennial Sub-Saharan African trade fair for water, sewage, refuse, and recycling technologies, operated by Messe Muenchen South Africa, connecting international environmental technology exhibitors with African buyers and decision-makers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Johannesburg

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Exhibitor booth rentals and participation fees: IFAT Africa generates revenue primarily from exhibitor fees for booth/stand space rental. South African companies, Asian companies, and European/Australian/American companies contact different representatives for stall pricing information.
2. Visitor ticket sales: Revenue from visitor tickets. Pre-registered visitors pay R0.00, while non-pre-registered visitors pay R50.00 per ticket. Trade visitors receive free admission upon registration.
3. Sponsorship and marketing services: Exhibitors can enhance brand presence through sponsorship opportunities exclusive to IFAT Africa exhibitors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

IFAT Africa is a biennial trade fair for water, sewage, refuse, and recycling technologies serving the Sub-Saharan African market, organized by Messe Muenchen South Africa (Pty) Ltd. The event connects international environmental technology exhibitors with senior buyers and decision-makers from utilities, municipalities, and industrial facilities across the region. It is held at Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg and is co-located with analytica Lab Africa to create cross-industry synergies across water treatment and laboratory technology sectors.

Product overview

IFAT Africa is a trade fair/event platform operated by Messe Muenchen South Africa (Pty) Ltd as part of the global IFAT network. The core offering is the IFAT Africa Trade Fair, Africa's leading environmental technology exhibition for water, sewage, refuse and recycling in sub-Saharan Africa. The platform is structured around a main trade fair event complemented by exhibition sectors covering diverse environmental technology areas, a supporting program with conference sessions and panel discussions, an exhibitor directory with over 170 exhibitors from 19 countries, visitor and exhibitor registration systems, and venue services at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg. The product is co-located with analytica Lab Africa, bringing together water treatment, waste management, recycling and laboratory technology sectors. No software-as-a-product integrations or API offerings are provided.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IFAT Africa Trade Fair Africa's leading biennial trade fair for water, sewage, refuse and recycling, serving as the gateway for international environmental technology companies to access the African market and African enterprises to reach the global market. The event connects key industry players with senior buyers and decision makers in Sub-Saharan Africa, featuring country pavilions, exhibitor booths, and a supporting conference program. The next edition is scheduled for July 6-8, 2027 at Gallagher Convention Centre, Johannesburg.

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association for water sector professionals in Southern Africa. Serves as a supporter and partner for IFAT Africa, contributing industry expertise and member network access to the trade fair.
• The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional institute promoting excellence in waste management across Southern Africa. Supports IFAT Africa as a supporter and partner, providing industry credibility and networking with waste management professionals.
• Strategic Water Partners Network SAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of water sector stakeholders working to address water challenges in South Africa. Partners with IFAT Africa to advance water sector collaboration and solutions.
• International Solid Waste Association (ISWA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational non-governmental organization promoting sustainable waste management worldwide. Serves as both supporter and conference partner for IFAT Africa, bringing global waste management expertise.
• German Water Partnership e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of German water industry companies and organizations promoting German water expertise internationally. Supports IFAT Africa as a partner and operates German Pavilion for exhibitors.
• German RETech Partnership e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman Recycling Technologies Partnership promoting German expertise in recycling and resource efficiency. Supports IFAT Africa and facilitates German exhibitor participation.
• German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste (DWA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman technical and scientific association for water, wastewater and waste management. Supports IFAT Africa with industry expertise and member network.
• NEPAD (NEPAD Business Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfrican Union's economic development agency focused on socioeconomic development across Africa. Partners with IFAT Africa to promote environmental technology transfer and investment.
• Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth African state-owned development finance institution. Supports IFAT Africa as a conference partner, promoting industrial development and environmental investment.
• UNIDO ITPO (Investment and Technology Promotion Office)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Nations Industrial Development Organization office promoting industrial development through investment and technology transfer. Supports IFAT Africa as a partner.
• German Development Agency (giz)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman federal enterprise supporting international sustainable development. Partners with IFAT Africa to advance environmental technology transfer to Africa.
• Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association for waste management practitioners in Nigeria. Supports IFAT Africa and facilitates Nigerian participation in the trade fair.
• Southern African Biogas Industry Association (SABIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional association promoting biogas and renewable energy from organic waste. Partners with IFAT Africa to showcase biogas solutions.
• Corrosion Institute of Southern Africa (CORISSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional institute addressing corrosion challenges in industrial applications. Supports IFAT Africa as a partner and exhibitor.
• Circular Energy NPCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth African non-profit promoting circular economy principles. Supports IFAT Africa as conference partner to advance circular economy discussions.
• analytica Lab AfricacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCo-located trade fair for laboratory technology, analytics, and biotechnology. The co-location with IFAT Africa creates synergies across water treatment and laboratory analytics industries.
• Gallagher Convention CentrecoreOthersPremier events venue in Gauteng, South Africa. Located in Midrand between Johannesburg and Pretoria, the 32-hectare property offers 27 multi-purpose venues for exhibitions, conferences, and events.
• The Travel BossminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial travel partner for IFAT Africa, providing accommodation and travel services for exhibitors and visitors attending the event.
• African Circular Economy NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork promoting circular economy across Africa. Partners with IFAT Africa as a conference partner for circular economy sessions.
• African Water and Sanitation AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContinental association for water and sanitation professionals in Africa. Supports IFAT Africa as a conference partner.
• Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and IndustrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber promoting trade and investment between Southern Africa and Germany. Supports IFAT Africa as conference partner and facilitates German business participation.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Enlit Africa: Pan-African energy and water utilities trade fair covering power generation, transmission, distribution, and water. Comparable as a regional B2B trade fair serving African utilities, but focused on the broader energy/water utility stack rather than environmental tech specifically.
• Big 5 Construct South Africa: Major construction industry trade fair in South Africa. Comparable as a large-scale regional B2B trade fair using a similar venue and serving African infrastructure buyers, though focused on construction rather than environmental technology.
• Africa Energy Forum: Leading African energy investment and infrastructure conference. Comparable as a regional B2B event serving senior decision-makers in African infrastructure, though focused on energy rather than water/waste/recycling.
• WATEC Africa: Israeli-organized water technology trade fair with editions targeting African markets. Comparable as a regional water/wastewater technology trade fair, but with different geographic anchoring and ownership.

Direct peers

• IE expo China: Leading environmental technology trade fair in China organized by Messe München's Chinese partner. Comparable as a global IFAT-network environmental technology trade fair serving a major regional market.
• IFAT Eurasia: Messe München's IFAT edition serving the Turkey/Eurasia region. Directly comparable regional environmental tech trade fair with the same brand and operating model as IFAT Africa.
• IFAT Brasil: Regional IFAT edition serving the Brazilian market under Messe München. Same brand, sector focus, and operating model as IFAT Africa, but serving Latin America.
• IFAT Munich (Messe München GmbH): The flagship IFAT event organized by the same parent company. Same brand, same sector (water, sewage, refuse, recycling), same business model, but serving a global/Munich-based audience rather than Sub-Saharan Africa.
• analytica Lab Africa: Co-located B2B trade fair for laboratory technology, analytics, and biotechnology. Directly comparable as a co-located Messe München trade fair in Johannesburg, sharing the same venue, visitor base, and operating infrastructure.
• IFAT India: Another regional IFAT edition under Messe München, covering environmental technologies for the Indian market. Closely comparable event format, sector focus, and operating model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IFATAfrica
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCnxk8YeueEwSX9_6djGICEg
• Facebookfacebook.com/IFATAfrica
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ifat-africa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IFAT Africa