The Johannesburg leg of the Organic and Natural Products Expo Africa is back this August, bringing Africa’s only dedicated organic and natural products showcase to the Sandton Convention Centre from 7 to 9 August 2026.
Alongside the exhibition, a free-to-attend conference programme will unite entrepreneurs, practitioners, and industry leaders to share insights on export development, funding, storytelling, product provenance, and the sensory appeal of locally produced food.
Designed to inspire both business growth and consumer connection, the conference runs across the first two days of the 3-day event. Day one will focus on business-to-business engagement, offering practical perspectives for producers, brands, buyers and sector partners seeking to build stronger routes to market and to strengthen business skills. Day two will turn towards the consumer experience, inviting attendees to discover the stories, ingredients and ideas that give organic and natural products their place in everyday life.
“This conference gives our community a welcoming space to exchange practical knowledge, meet potential partners and celebrate the people whose ideas are helping organic and natural products flourish,” says Warren Hickinbotham, co-founder of the Organic and Natural Products Expo Africa.
Business insights for a growing natural products sector
“As headline sponsor of the Organic and Natural Products Expo Africa, Standard Bank is proud to support a sector that reflects the innovation and resilience of African entrepreneurship,” says Deenash Pillay, Head of Small Enterprises for Business & Commercial Banking, Standard Bank. “Access to the right insights, funding pathways and market access opportunities can be transformative for small and growing businesses, and we look forward to engaging with producers and brands who are shaping the future of organic and natural products on the continent.”
Day one will open with a panel discussion presented by Standard Bank. Facilitated by Chizoba Tabane, content editor and producer at Daily Entrepreneur, the panel comprises Nokhanyo Ntshingila – Senior Manager Enterprise & Supplier Development Programmes & Partnerships, Standard Bank; Inayath Buckus – Manager, Merchant Acquisition (Gauteng Region), Standard Bank; Lagini Govender – Head, Provincial, Enterprise Banking (Gauteng), Standard Bank and Bayanda Maseko – Co-founder and Director of Noliqua Legacy (Pty) Ltd (Standard Bank Business Client and Participating Exhibitor).
This will be followed by Kwanele Mkhwanazi, Director for Export Development and Support at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), who will examine available export support and opportunities for businesses within the sector as they prepare to reach wider markets.
Colin Leshou, Acting Chief Strategy and Information Officer at the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA), will explore the funding and support options available to small enterprises operating in the organic and natural products space.
Gary Jackson, Founder of and CEO of Jackson’s Real Food Market and Eatery, will provide essential insights for producers on what it takes to get products onto retail shelves. He will also reveal dominant market trends.
Ruvi Mudzingwa, Associate Director, Communication & Strategy at CVLC Communication, will provide a hands-on storytelling masterclass for organic and natural product makers. The session will consider how clear, authentic communication can help businesses articulate their purpose, connect with customers and build recognition in a competitive marketplace.
Later in the day, Lorraine Jenks and Juin Cassie will contribute to the programme, bringing further expertise to the business-focused conversations. Jenks presentation is titled “ESG. Everywhere. From boardroom to home—simple choices that shape our future”.
The day will conclude with the Sensory Feast Experience hosted by Nicholas McLean, Founder of FeedMeGreen.
A consumer-facing day of discovery and connection
Saturday’s programme will be led by Babalwa Hopa, Founding Partner of MMX Foundation and will offer a consumer-focused setting for learning, discovery and conversation.
The programme starts with a panel discussion focusing on the current status of cannabis and hemp. Facilitated by Propharmers ‘ Jacqui Ramage, the panel comprises Prof Neelaveni Padayachee – Associate Professor in Pharmacy Practice: University of Witwatersrand; Dr Kirasha Allopi – integrative practitioner; and Adrian Coutts – a medical cannabis cultivation and operations professional.
Lufefe Nomjana, widely known as the “Spinach King,” will be sharing his journey. Nomjana is a South African entrepreneur from Khayelitsha, Cape Town, who founded Spinach King (Espinaca Innovations) in 2011/2012.
Wendy Tjitua of Bioleaf Moringa Namibia will draw on BioLeaf Moringa’s journey and explore branding, packaging, storytelling and the partnerships that help small and medium enterprises add value to indigenous natural resources and reach regional and international customers.
Ruvimbo Mudzingwa of Homemade by Ruvi will highlight the value of origin, identity and protection for natural products with distinctive regional roots. Melanie Erasmus, Founder of HealthStack SA, will explore the gap between modern dietary optimisation and our understanding of where our food comes from, addressing how to bridge the disconnect within the current food system.
McLean will close the day’s programme with a further Sensory Feast Experience, inviting visitors to engage their senses and celebrate local bounty.
The conference programme forms part of the Organic and Natural Products Expo Africa experience in Johannesburg, which takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, from 7 to 9 August 2026.
Seats for the conference are limited and are available on a first come first serve basis, so get there early for your preferred talks.
For exhibitor enquiries, visitor registration and sponsorship information, visit the official expo website at https://www.organicandnaturalportal.com/expo/
