The upcoming Buy Local Summit & Expo will spotlight the growing impact of illicit trade, tariff hikes on South African exports to the United States and the rapid rise of offshore e-commerce on local industries when the two-day event takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
Standard Bank Group has secured headline sponsorship for the 14th edition of the Proudly South African flagship event. Naledzani Mosomane, Head of Enterprise and Supplier Development within Business and Commercial Banking at Standard Bank South Africa, said small and medium-sized enterprises sit at the centre of local value chains and depend on strong domestic supply networks to grow and compete.
Mosomane added that localisation is critical to building a more inclusive economy by strengthening supply chains, supporting entrepreneurship and driving job creation and innovation. Standard Bank said its commitment extends beyond financial support through ongoing assistance for entrepreneurs at different stages of business growth.
The Buy Local Summit & Expo attracts government ministers, senior officials, corporates, financiers, industry bodies, organised labour and hundreds of exhibitors and SMEs. The theme for this year’s event, “Localisation…A critical imperative for the economy,” reflects concerns about illicit trade, dumping, counterfeit goods and under-invoicing, which industry leaders say weaken competitiveness and harm domestic industries.
Proudly South African CEO Eustace Mashimbye said sectors including retail, clothing, textiles, footwear and leather are under increasing pressure from offshore fast-fashion and e-commerce platforms, while other industries such as sugar, steel, poultry, furniture, packaging and FMCG face rising competition from low-cost imports.
Panel discussions at the summit will examine the impact of unfair and illegal trade practices on localisation and industrialisation, as well as the effects of offshore e-commerce on domestic manufacturing. Additional sessions will explore enterprise and supplier development and highlight leading South African household brands.
Organisers have encouraged early registration as the event aims to drive dialogue and collaboration around strengthening domestic value chains and supporting local business growth.
