The three-day event in Casablanca will bring together manufacturers, technology companies, policymakers and investors looking at how automation, artificial intelligence and other technologies can change the way goods are produced across Africa.
Organized by Hannover Fairs MENA, the regional arm of Germany’s Deutsche Messe AG, ITAF will focus on technologies ranging from robotics and smart supply chains to digital manufacturing, energy solutions and industrial artificial intelligence.
Companies including OCP Maintenance Solutions, IFM Electronic and Igus have already confirmed their participation, organizers said.
But ITAF is being presented as more than a traditional trade exhibition.
Alongside the exhibition, the event will feature the Smart Factory Academy Casablanca, aimed at developing industrial skills and supporting practical innovation, as well as the Industrial Edge Summit Africa, where industry leaders, policymakers and institutions will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing African manufacturing.
The summit will include live case studies from major industrial companies, giving participants a chance to see how new technologies are being used in real production environments.
For African manufacturers, the need to modernize is becoming more pressing as populations grow, infrastructure expands and demand for locally produced goods increases.
Organizers say ITAF is designed to connect African industries with global technology providers while helping businesses gain access to expertise, partnerships and new production technologies.
The event is part of the Hannover Messe portfolio and is intended to provide a year-round platform rather than a one-off exhibition.
Morocco was selected as the host because of its location between Europe, Africa and the Middle East and its growing industrial base.
The country has built major industries in automotive manufacturing, aerospace, electronics and energy, while its logistics infrastructure and trade agreements give companies access to large international markets.
For Casablanca, the event offers a chance to put Morocco’s industrial capabilities and Africa’s wider manufacturing ambitions in the same room — with technology and new business links at the center of the conversation.
