Africa’s Organic Expo connects brands with buyers

Cape Town is set to host one of Africa’s most important gatherings for the organic and natural products industry as the Organic & Natural Products Expo Africa returns to the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 17 to 19 April 2026.

Now backed by Standard Bank Business and Commercial as headline sponsor, the event continues to strengthen its role as a key meeting place for businesses across the continent’s growing green economy.

Now in its third year in the city, the expo brings together producers, buyers and decision makers from across Africa. It reflects a wider shift towards healthier and more sustainable living, as both consumers and industries rethink how products are made and sourced. The addition of the Sustainable Hospitality Expo has further widened its reach, creating new links between organic brands and the hospitality sector. This growing connection highlights how sustainability is becoming a business priority rather than just a trend.

South Africa’s organic market is already valued at billions of rand, while demand for wellness products continues to rise steadily. At the same time, the hospitality sector is under pressure to adopt greener solutions, from guest amenities to energy and water use. The expo sits at the centre of these changes, giving exhibitors direct access to buyers who shape these markets. Over three days, brands can engage with retailers, distributors, and procurement leaders from hotels, lodges and short stay accommodation.

For many small businesses across Africa, the expo offers more than just visibility. It creates a practical route to growth. “The Organic & Natural Products Expo Africa is a commercial catalyst for the entire African natural products value chain,” says Warren Hickinbotham, co-founder of the expo.

“The majority of exhibitors are small and emerging businesses, from start-up skincare and haircare brands to family-run food producers and innovators in household and agricultural products. Recognising that these enterprises often struggle to reach buyers on their own, the expo has been built to lower barriers to entry and amplify their reach.”

Support from financial institutions and government programmes ensures that smaller brands can take part with reduced costs, helping them present themselves professionally and compete on a larger stage.

“This gives smaller brands a professional presence on the show floor, complete with exhibition infrastructure and support services. For many, the expo becomes the point at which a kitchen-table business turns into a fully-fledged commercial operation,” Hickinbotham explains.

“Beyond the three days at CTICC, every exhibitor is profiled on the Organic & Natural Products Portal for 12 months at no additional cost. This digital listing allows buyers who met a brand at the show - or heard about it afterwards - to locate, contact and trade with them long after the doors close, turning a single exhibition into a year-long sales and lead-generation opportunity.”

With strong interest already building, the 2026 edition is expected to further connect African businesses with real commercial opportunities and long term growth.