By: Lonwabo Mtyeku | Pictures: Supplied
Seen Here: Warren Hickinbotham, co-founder of the Organic & Natural Products Expo Africa, speaks about the growing opportunities for small and emerging organic brands ahead of the 2026 expo set to take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in Cape Town from 17–19 April. Photo Credit: Supplied.
Cape Town will once again take centre stage in Africa’s fast-growing green economy when the Organic & Natural Products Expo Africa returns to the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 17–19 April 2026.
Now entering its third consecutive year in the Mother City, the expo has positioned itself as the continent’s premier marketplace for organic, natural and sustainable products. The 2026 edition is expected to draw significant attention from industry leaders after Standard Bank Business & Commercial stepped in as the headline sponsor.
The three-day exhibition serves as a strategic meeting point for producers, innovators and entrepreneurs across Africa’s organic and natural products sector, connecting them directly with retail decision-makers, hospitality procurement specialists and international distributors.
A Platform at the Intersection of Two High-Growth Industries
South Africa’s organic food and beverage sector has grown into a multi-billion-rand market, with dietary supplements and wellness products expanding at near double-digit rates. At the same time, the country’s hospitality industry—valued at approximately R220 billion—is under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable procurement practices, from eco-friendly guest amenities and organic personal care products to sustainable textiles and resource-efficient technologies.
The Organic & Natural Products Expo Africa sits precisely at this intersection, offering exhibitors direct access to influential buyers including retail category managers, independent shop owners, online retailers, distributors, export agents and procurement heads from hotels, lodges, resorts and short-term accommodation providers.
An important feature of the event is the Sustainable Hospitality Expo, introduced last year to highlight environmentally responsible products and services for the tourism and hospitality sector. Organisers believe the growing demand for sustainable solutions could soon see the hospitality component evolve into a full stand-alone exhibition alongside the main event.
Empowering Small Businesses and Emerging Entrepreneurs
Beyond serving as a trade exhibition, the event has become a powerful launchpad for small and emerging businesses.
According to expo co-founder Warren Hickinbotham, the initiative was designed to help entrepreneurs overcome one of the biggest barriers facing new brands: access to major buyers.
“The Organic & Natural Products Expo Africa is a commercial catalyst for the entire African natural products value chain,” Hickinbotham said. “Many of our exhibitors are small businesses—start-up skincare and haircare brands, family-run food producers and innovators developing natural household and agricultural products. The expo helps lower barriers to entry and gives them the visibility they need to grow.”
Many participants use the platform to introduce new product lines, gather consumer feedback and build relationships that lead to retail listings, supply agreements and even export opportunities.
Public-Private Partnerships Driving SME Growth
A major component of the 2026 exhibition is its expanded partnership with Standard Bank Business & Commercial, which has elevated its involvement to headline sponsorship.
In addition, institutions such as the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEDFA), the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), and several provincial economic development departments are supporting small enterprises by subsidising exhibition spaces.
This initiative allows qualifying small businesses to secure fully sponsored or discounted stands, giving them professional exhibition infrastructure and visibility that might otherwise be beyond their financial reach.
“For many entrepreneurs, this expo is the moment where a kitchen-table business becomes a fully-fledged commercial operation,” Hickinbotham explained.
Extending Business Beyond the Expo Floor
To ensure exhibitors continue benefiting long after the event ends, organisers provide each participant with a 12-month digital listing on the Organic & Natural Products Portal at no additional cost.
This online marketplace allows buyers who discover a brand during the exhibition—or afterwards—to locate, contact and trade with exhibitors year-round, effectively turning a three-day event into a continuous sales and networking platform.
Businesses that participate in both the Cape Town and Johannesburg editions of the expo also receive a dual-city participation discount, helping them build national market exposure across South Africa’s two largest economic hubs.
From Networking to Real Business Deals
Beyond product displays, the expo’s conference programme is designed to help entrepreneurs move from conversations to contracts. Workshops and panel discussions will cover key industry topics such as organic certification, export readiness, retail brand positioning and hospitality procurement requirements.
Exhibitors will also have the opportunity to host product demonstrations and engage directly with potential buyers, distributors and investors.
Strong Demand Ahead of April Event
With exhibitor applications now open, organisers report strong demand—particularly for subsidised SME exhibition units and prime hospitality-focused locations within the venue.
Industry stakeholders interested in participating are encouraged to secure their exhibition space early as the event approaches.
As the global demand for sustainable products continues to accelerate, the Organic & Natural Products Expo Africa is rapidly emerging as one of the most influential business platforms for Africa’s green economy—bringing together entrepreneurs, innovators and buyers to transform sustainability into tangible commercial opportunity.
