The Ubuntu Smart Cities Conference will take place in Johannesburg next week, alongside the 9th edition of the China Home Life and Machinex Trade Fair.
The conference is hosted by China Home Life and Machinex Trade Fair in association with the South Africa BRICS Business Council.
The conference will promote funding and investment, enhance capacity building and skills development, facilitate access to cutting-edge knowledge and expertise, expose businesses to new markets, and build networks that directly address the pressing challenges facing African cities today.
Through high-level engagements, the annual Smart Cities Conference, Ubuntu has established a global stage to explore the unlimited potential for sustainable urban transformation and development.
The 2025 edition will feature participation from both African and international leaders.
The partnership between Papasha Media, a black-owned South African company, and Meorient International of Shanghai ensures that the Ubuntu Smart Cities Conference 2025 advances the BRICS agenda and creates opportunities for township entrepreneurs, SMEs, and African businesses to connect with global markets and best practices.
“Ubuntu Smart Cities is not just about ideas, but about action where collaboration leads to measurable progress, tangible outcomes, and transparent reporting. Together, we are shaping Africa’s sustainable urban future,” said Coley Zephenia, the convener of the Smart Cities Task Team in the SA BRICS Manufacturing Working Group.
China Home Life South Africa is a platform for leading Chinese companies seeking to do business in Africa and African businesses seeking to import or do business with China.
Business owners, sourcing managers and supply chain officials will have the opportunity to engage with approved world-class suppliers and manufacturers from China. The event brings together significant players from major industries and enables visitors to view a large number of products to evaluate, compare, see demonstrations and ask detailed questions. It will provide visitors with a comprehensive overview of the entire China sourcing process.
Binu Pillai, Meorient International’s Chief Operating Officer, said China Home Life suppliers go through a thorough verification process. “We select only the best for our trade shows to ensure our buyers get top quality products,” he said. “This helps us ensure we build strong relationships in all the countries we work with.”
The event takes place in 14 cities across the world each year, namely Sao Paulo, Istanbul, Dubai, Johannesburg, Mumbai, Cairo, Amman, Warsaw, Mexico, Lagos, Nairobi, Tehran and Almaty.
Run in partnership with Machinex, China Home Life is the largest China sourcing event on the African continent. Over the years, it has welcomed visitors not only from South Africa but also from Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi.
The 2025 edition of the trade fair will feature 570 verified Chinese exhibitors at 750 booths showcasing over 10,000 qualified products. Organisers say there are many benefits to attending the show, including it being an opportunity for South African importers and wholesalers to find out about the latest, qualified, cost-effective products directly from Chinese manufacturers.
