IFAT Africa
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersJohannesburg, South Africa
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
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.
IFAT Africa firmographics
Firmographics- 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
Where IFAT Africa is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Johannesburg
- HQ country
- South Africa
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices3 records
Markets served
IFAT Africa business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- 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.
- 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.
- Sponsorship and marketing services: Exhibitors can enhance brand presence through sponsorship opportunities exclusive to IFAT Africa exhibitors.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Pre-registered visitor ticket - Free admission |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Non-pre-registered visitor ticket - R50.00 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
IFAT Africa product offering
Product offeringCore 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.
Companies that use IFAT Africa
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
IFAT Africa technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
IFAT Africa partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA)coreProfessional 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)coreProfessional 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 SAcoreNetwork 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)coreInternational 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.coreNetwork 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.coreGerman 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)coreGerman technical and scientific association for water, wastewater and waste management. Supports IFAT Africa with industry expertise and member network.
- NEPAD (NEPAD Business Foundation)coreAfrican 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)coreSouth 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)coreUnited Nations Industrial Development Organization office promoting industrial development through investment and technology transfer. Supports IFAT Africa as a partner.
- German Development Agency (giz)coreGerman federal enterprise supporting international sustainable development. Partners with IFAT Africa to advance environmental technology transfer to Africa.
- Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN)coreProfessional association for waste management practitioners in Nigeria. Supports IFAT Africa and facilitates Nigerian participation in the trade fair.
- Southern African Biogas Industry Association (SABIA)coreRegional association promoting biogas and renewable energy from organic waste. Partners with IFAT Africa to showcase biogas solutions.
- Corrosion Institute of Southern Africa (CORISSA)coreProfessional institute addressing corrosion challenges in industrial applications. Supports IFAT Africa as a partner and exhibitor.
- Circular Energy NPCcoreSouth African non-profit promoting circular economy principles. Supports IFAT Africa as conference partner to advance circular economy discussions.
- analytica Lab AfricacoreCo-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 CentrecorePremier 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 BossminorOfficial travel partner for IFAT Africa, providing accommodation and travel services for exhibitors and visitors attending the event.
- African Circular Economy NetworkcoreNetwork promoting circular economy across Africa. Partners with IFAT Africa as a conference partner for circular economy sessions.
- African Water and Sanitation AssociationcoreContinental association for water and sanitation professionals in Africa. Supports IFAT Africa as a conference partner.
- Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and IndustrycoreChamber 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
IFAT Africa competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional 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
IFAT Africa social profiles
Digital presenceIFAT Africa financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
IFAT Africa leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
IFAT Africa funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
IFAT Africa M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about IFAT Africa
What does IFAT Africa do?
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.
Is IFAT Africa a public or private company?
IFAT Africa is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was IFAT Africa founded?
IFAT Africa was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is IFAT Africa based?
IFAT Africa is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the Africa region.
How does IFAT Africa make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Exhibitor booth rentals and participation fees are the primary driver. The others are visitor ticket sales and sponsorship and marketing services.
Who are IFAT Africa's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Enlit Africa, Big 5 Construct South Africa, Africa Energy Forum and WATEC Africa. Direct peers are IE expo China, IFAT Eurasia, IFAT Brasil, IFAT Munich (Messe München GmbH), analytica Lab Africa and IFAT India.
Does IFAT Africa have an API?
No public API is recorded for IFAT Africa.