The call to intensify local procurement of goods and services has become increasingly
urgent as the economy and small to medium-sized businesses—the backbone of the
country’s economy—face imminent challenges posed by potential supply chain disruptions
resulting from escalating geopolitical uncertainties. Proudly South African firmly believes that
local procurement is relevant now more than ever and that increased support of locally
sourced goods and services will go a long way to buffer the economy from external shocks
and enable local enterprises to create much-needed jobs.
Mindful of these realities, Proudly South African will be hosting its 13th Buy Local Summit &
Expo on 17 and 18 March in Johannesburg at the Sandton Convention Centre, to renew the
clarion call to consumers, the public and private sector to step up procurement of goods and
services locally in line with this year’s theme: “Building a resilient economy through
localisation.”
The Buy Local Summit and Expo is a two-day, annual flagship event of Proudly South
African that attracts nearly 200 local exhibitors spanning several industries, over 1,500
delegates, 450 trade buyers, and 160 stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.
It is the premier local procurement campaign that enjoys the support of various government
departments, state-owned entities, and leading private sector companies.
The Buy Local Summit and Expo goes beyond reiterating the call to support local
enterprises—the event consists of multiple activations that provide exhibitors and the
delegates in attendance with practical and tangible outcomes.
To that end, the Buy Local Summit and Expo consists of four main activations, namely the
exhibition, business matchmaking sessions, interactive panel discussions, and the
localisation dinner.
Exhibitions
Exhibiting at the Proudly South African Buy Local Summit & Expo offers companies a unique
opportunity to significantly enhance their brand visibility and market presence. As the largest
local procurement event, it provides exhibitors the opportunity to be part of a distinguished
platform that showcases the best of South Africa, from multinational brands operating locally
to small artisanal producers. This all-local conference provides a valuable marketing
opportunity where companies can sell their products, network with other local businesses,
and connect with key decision-makers in procurement.
“The Buy Local Summit and Expo provides exhibitors with enhanced visibility and a captive
audience that stretches beyond their geographical confines. Through this event, the
exhibitors can expand their market reach, showcase their offerings to a wider audience, and
interact with prospective customers who would have otherwise remained oblivious to their
products and services. Through these exhibitions, the Buy Local Summit and Expo has
unearthed many home-grown businesses and enabled them to scale up at a faster pace
than they would have been able to,” says Eustace Mashimbye, Chief Executive Officer of
Proudly South African.
Mashimbye points out that the exhibition is also supported by a value-added service called
the Business Solutions Hub where exhibitors and attendees receive expert advice and
innovative solutions from industry specialists on a wide range of business challenges, from
improving operational efficiency to navigating regulatory requirements. The Business
Solutions Hub service provides participants at the event with valuable insights, practical
tools, and strategic guidance to help them successfully navigate the challenges they may
face.
“We are cognisant that small to medium-sized businesses often lack the resources to secure
the services of consultants and change management experts to offer counsel on strategic or
operational matters. The Business Solutions Hub plugs this gap by availing these experts
who share their expertise and offer customised solutions to whatever challenges our
exhibitors and delegates may be confronted with, at absolutely no cost. This is one way we
are contributing meaningfully to supporting our local entrepreneurs to pivot from being in
survivalist mode to becoming future conglomerates,” explains Mashimbye.
Matchmaking
One of the main elements of the Proudly South African Buy Local Summit & Expo is a
matchmaking component where exhibitors are partnered with compatible conglomerates for
possible inclusion in the latter’s supply chain. “One of the biggest hurdles that stifles the
growth of small to medium-sized businesses is lack of access to markets.
Through matchmaking, these companies can get a foot in the door and interact with
decision-makers who can enable them to scale up and take their businesses to the next
level. Matchmaking provides a structured and strategic approach to networking and
enhances the overall value of the summit and expo, by enabling exhibitors to maximise their
market opportunities, build lasting business relationships, and expand their reach within the
local procurement landscape,” says Mashimbye.
Panel discussions
The Buy Local Summit and Expo will be opened by Gauteng Economic Development MEC,
Lebogang Maile and a keynote address will be delivered by the Minister of Trade, Industry
and Competition, Parks Tau. Interactive sessions have been lined up where a panel of
industry experts will deliberate on a variety of invigorating topics, from the impact of illicit
trade on the economy to challenges facing the local fashion industry.
The localisation dinner
The pinnacle of the Buy Local Summit and Expo is the Localisation Dinner. The dinner is a
cornerstone of Proudly South African's strategic initiative to foster proactive engagement
with the private sector by garnering support and commitment to drive economic growth and
job creation through localisation efforts.
This exclusive event draws over 280 distinguished guests, including executives from South
African private sector companies, captains of industry, key public sector stakeholders,
members of the Proudly SA Board, and select media representatives. The dinner provides a
unique platform for meaningful discussions and collaborations aimed at advancing local
procurement and strengthening the nation's economy.
“Owing to the convergence of economic, environmental, and consumer-driven factors,
businesses globally have been embracing a transformative trend towards local sourcing.
This strategic shift reflects a departure from traditional global supply chains towards more
localised procurement strategies.
By encouraging the sourcing of goods and services from nearby suppliers, businesses can
play a pivotal role in fostering economic growth within their communities. This support
translates into job creation, increased spending in local markets, and the development of
robust business ecosystems that contribute to overall prosperity. We believe that through
these modest efforts, we are playing a meaningful role in building a resilient economy
through localisation,” Mashimbye concludes.
The Buy Local Summit & Expo is proudly supported by our sponsors: ABSA (headline
sponsor), DSBD, dtic, Santam, Transnet, Gauteng Economic Development, GEP, South 32,
SAB, AITF, Sasol, Telkom, Standard Bank, IDC, and Nestlé ESAR, whose commitment to
local talent and economic growth helps drive a thriving, resilient future for South Africa.
