Munich, 13 – 17 May 2024
At the world’s leading trade fair for environmental technologies, UNIDO ITPO Germany invited more than 25 company and institutional representatives from 11 countries in Africa and Arab States. During the trade fair, the delegation met with several partners from Germany and Europe offering targeted technologies for these markets. The waste management delegation was one of the largest delegations organized by ITPO Germany so far: Ranging from smaller and medium sized enterprises to multinational companies and leading governmental institutions – the great diversity of the group was an enrichment for the discussions and B2B exchanges at IFAT. This was also reflected in the variety of sectors covered by the group: Be it plastic recycling, e-waste, waste tires, municipal solid waste, RDF treatment or the further industrial and energetic utilization of various waste stream – the delegation had experts in almost every industry segment of the waste sector.
In addition to various company visits, ITPO Germany together with BDE (association for the German waste, water and recycling industry) organized a panel discussion on waste management and recycling in Africa featured by UNIDO Managing Director Gunther Beger, Sebastian Frisch (Blackforest Solutions), Christian Dinter (Rodiek), Randa Elgendy (ECARU Egypt) and Ifedolapo Runsewe (Freee Recycle Ltd Nigeria). The discussion provided insights about the challenges and opportunities in African markets as well as examples of success stories from Nigeria and Egypt.
During the networking evening “Africa Meets IFAT”, over 200 representatives active and interested in African markets gathered to connect with new potential partners in order to promote and develop the waste sector. The even was organized by ITPO Germany and its partner VDMA (Association of German machinery and equipment manufacturers).
Another highlight of the trip was the pitching event “Opportunities in the African Waste Sector: Public and private companies present projects and tenders” organized by ITPO Germany and its partner German RETech Partnership e.V. Over 60 business representatives gathered to establish new partnerships with the delegation and learn about their current projects and where they can fit in.
