AVEVA to Spotlight Industrial Intelligence at AVEVA Day South Africa 2026 – African Business Technology News
Published: April 17, 2026 at 07:12 AM
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AVEVA, a global leader in industrial software, will host AVEVA Day South Africa 2026 on April 22, 2026, at the Johannesburg Marriott Hotel in Melrose Arch. The event centers on the theme "Accelerating Africa's Industrial Future," bringing together industrial leaders and technology innovators to explore how artificial intelligence, digital twins, and connected data platforms are reshaping the continent's industries.
Africa stands at a defining inflection point in its industrial digital transformation journey. Research indicates that AI-enabled operational intelligence could reduce unplanned downtime by up to 30 percent and cut energy intensity by 10 to 20 percent across mining, chemicals, and power generation sectors. According to the World Economic Forum’s Africa Competitiveness Report, organizations advancing beyond pilot-stage digital programs are already outperforming peers on productivity and sustainability metrics.
Supporting this momentum, the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (2020–2030) is accelerating policy alignment, while the drive towards a Digital Single Market by 2030 creates regulatory conditions for industrial AI to scale. Jesús Hernandez, Senior Vice President – EMEA at AVEVA, emphasized that Africa is not a spectator in the AI revolution but rather a foundation for global AI infrastructure.
The agenda features strategic keynotes from Hanno van Niekerk, Market Leader – Sub-Saharan Africa, and sessions led by Glenn Kerkhoff, Industry Principle – MMM, focusing on reliability and energy efficiency for mining equipment. Khaled Salah, Vice President – Africa, will participate in a closing panel discussing how organizations can transform data into the foundation of industrial resilience. The event will also spotlight AVEVA’s Connected Industrial Ecosystem and its CONNECT platform to address local water and wastewater challenges.
Key Insights
AVEVA is positioning Africa as a critical region for scaling industrial AI rather than merely testing ground for pilot projects.
The emphasis on moving from data-rich to intelligence-led operations suggests a maturation of the market where practical deployment outweighs theoretical exploration.
While the potential for reduced downtime and energy savings is significant, actual outcomes will depend on the successful implementation of the Digital Single Market policies and infrastructure readiness across the continent.