Held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 14 to 15 July 2026, the Indaba brought together government leaders, policymakers, investors, manufacturers and industry experts under the theme “Scaling Growth, Shaping Trade”. Together, they explored how Africa can strengthen local production, build more resilient supply chains and unlock new opportunities for regional trade.
As a respected industry voice, Stavros shared insights on the importance of growing local pharmaceutical manufacturing and strengthening Africa’s healthcare supply chains. His participation highlighted Aspen’s ongoing commitment to supporting industrial development, improving access to medicines and building sustainable manufacturing capacity across the continent.
During the Indaba, Stavros also joined CNBC Africa to reflect on the urgent need to strengthen South Africa’s manufacturing base. He spoke about the important role that public procurement can play in supporting local manufacturers, building scale, improving competitiveness and opening doors for emerging industrialists.
He also touched on some of the challenges facing manufacturers, including high logistics costs, inefficiencies in ports, rail and harbours, the cost of capital, bureaucracy and red tape. While there is growing support for manufacturing, Stavros emphasised that faster action and stronger execution are needed to help the sector grow and thrive.
Click here to watch Stavros’ full interview.
For Aspen, the Indaba was an important opportunity to be part of conversations that matter for the future of our industry, our country and our continent. As Africa’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturer, Aspen continues to demonstrate the value of local production, collaboration and investment in high-quality manufacturing capability.