Massmart, in partnership with its parent company Walmart, is scheduled to hold the first Africa-focused Supplier Growth Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa on April 2, 2025.
The event is designed to expand Massmart’s supplier network for its Builders Warehouse, Cash & Carry, Game, and Makro stores, with a focus on engaging manufacturers, assemblers, and growers based in Africa.
According to Walmart’s Executive Vice President of Sourcing and Operating Partner at Massmart Andrea Albright the summit aims to strengthen ties with local suppliers and increase the presence of African-made products in the company’s retail stores.
“Our focus is to harness the power of Africa-based product manufacturers, assemblers, and growers to enhance local product assortment and innovation in our stores on the African continent,” she said in a statement this week.
The initiative follows a similar approach to Walmart’s past supplier engagement events in other regions, most recently in Chile. The upcoming summit is open to suppliers and entrepreneurs from across the continent, with interest already expressed from businesses in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Botswana, and Namibia.
One of the key aspects of the summit is facilitating direct engagement between suppliers and Massmart’s buying teams.
Massmart’s Chief Merchandise Officer Herman Venter noted that one of the major obstacles in the retail supply chain is ensuring that suppliers can connect with decision-makers.
“A challenge in the retail industry is to help potential suppliers connect with buyers who make the final buying decision. “The Growth Summit overcomes this challenge by arranging for prospective suppliers to pitch directly to the buyers responsible for their particular product category,” he explained.
The event will also feature networking sessions with senior executives from both Massmart and Walmart. In addition, workshops will be held to provide guidance on best practices for suppliers and strategies for building strong commercial relationships. Organisers say the goal is to ensure that participants leave with a clear understanding of the steps required to establish or expand a business partnership with Massmart.
Beyond business expansion, the summit is also expected to have wider economic effects. Albright stated that supplier growth could contribute to local economies through increased investment and employment.
“The Growth Summit should typically provide new or expanded opportunities for suppliers to work with Massmart and grow their businesses. But what it should also do is stimulate socio-economic development because we know that when a supplier succeeds their local communities tend to benefit from increased economic investment and job opportunities,” she said.
By focusing on supplier development, the event aligns with broader efforts to enhance trade within Africa and support the growth of local businesses in the retail sector.