On Wednesday, 13 May 2026, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, Alderman Theresa Uys, opened the inaugural Africa Automation Indaba at the Waterfront in Cape Town. The two-day Indaba featured Professor Thuli Madonsela, technology analyst Arthur Goldstuck, Astrofica Technologies CEO Jessie Ndaba and several prominent tech and industry leaders from across Africa and abroad. The Indaba focused on how automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can drive Africa’s industrial growth, policies, innovation and economic transformation while addressing challenges such as inequality, ethics and sustainability.
‘Across Africa, cities are under pressure to deliver more services to more people with fewer resources. For us, automation is not about removing the human element; it is about removing friction. It is about helping residents access services faster, helping employees work smarter, and helping government make better decisions through data and technology. As a City, we are investing heavily in a 10-year digital transformation programme to modernise ageing systems, improve operational efficiency, and prepare Cape Town for the digital age,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, Alderman Theresa Uys.
Over the course of the two-day indaba that is organised by RX Africa, delegates engaged with the latest technologies, strategies, and real-world case studies shaping Africa’s automation landscape, while exploring opportunities to accelerate industrial growth, sustainability, and smart manufacturing across the continent.
Speakers highlighted the need for responsible leadership, inclusive policies, and stronger collaboration between government, industry, and academia to ensure technology benefits all communities. Discussions also explored Africa’s manufacturing potential, investment readiness, and the role of automation in improving governance, reducing corruption, and accelerating digital transformation across the continent.
‘Cities should be developed in ways that reflect dignity, order and inclusivity for all residents. Before implementing any decision, we must consider how it will affect hunger, poverty and structural inequality. Government should also encourage citizens and innovators to submit automation and AI-driven solutions that can improve service delivery and governance. The opportunities for leveraging technology are vast,’ said Stellenbosch University’s Professor Thuli Madonsela.
‘Artificial intelligence gives us the ability to create practical tools that can solve real-world problems with little or no coding experience required. AI applications can be designed to analyse public tender information, identify irregularities, and improve transparency. Platforms such as Claude and ChatGPT are making these solutions increasingly accessible to ordinary people. We now have powerful technological tools at our disposal,’ said World Wide Worx founder, Arthur Goldstuck.
The event attracted leading sponsors and exhibitors from the automation, industrial networking, instrumentation and Industrial IoT sectors, including Interlynx-SA, Allpronix, RJ Connect, and LAPP, alongside global and local engineering and technology companies driving Industry 4.0 innovation in Africa.
‘As we look to the future, one thing is clear: African cities have an opportunity not only to adopt technology, but to lead in responsible, practical, people-centred innovation. Automation and AI should never be technology for technology’s sake. Their purpose must always be to improve lives, strengthen trust, and deliver better outcomes for residents. At the City of Cape Town, we remain committed to building a smarter, safer, more sustainable and more inclusive digital city,’ concluded Alderman Uys.
