The Global Cold Chain Alliance has opened registration for the GCCA Africa Cold Chain Conference 2026, scheduled for September 2-3, 2026 at the Fairway Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort in Johannesburg, South Africa. The event will bring together temperature-controlled logistics businesses, supply chain partners, international experts, innovators and political leaders from across Africa and beyond.
The conference will include speakers, panel discussions, networking receptions and an exhibition. Speakers named for the program include Dr. Newton Matope, CEO of Cold Solutions Kenya and GCCA Africa Chairman; Brent Melvin, General Manager at RSA Logistics-Dubai; and Dr. John Deng Diar Diing, Executive Secretary of the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority.
The 2026 program will focus on the theme “Progress, Priorities, and Partnerships.” Sessions will cover industry priorities for the temperature-controlled supply chain, lessons from the Middle East cold chain, freight forwarding compliance, trade policy, geopolitics, regional transport corridors, partnerships, investment, research and workforce development.
Welcomes are planned from GCCA leadership, including Sara Stickler, President & CEO of GCCA; Adam Thocher, Senior Vice President, Global Market Engagement at GCCA; and Dr. Newton Matope. Other speakers listed in the program include Dr. Juanita Maree, CEO of SAAFF; Chris Hattingh, Executive Director of CRA; Dr. Martin Cameron, Managing Director of Trade Research Advisory (Pty) Ltd; Dr. Ikechukwu Opara of the University of the Western Cape; and Cassandra Potteiger, Head of Strategy, Marketing and Communication at SA Harvest.
“Recent years have seen the cold chain in Africa make great strides in expanding services and capacity, embracing the technological revolution, and creating new opportunities within the continent and far beyond. In the current global backdrop of major uncertainty and disruption for supply chains, it is vital for Africa’s food resilience, trade growth and economy that the momentum in temperature-controlled logistics is maintained. In 2026 the GCCA Africa Cold Chain Conference will examine the theme of ‘Progress, Priorities, and Partnerships’: from shifting trade corridors to the next leap in climate-smart infrastructure, discussions will explore complex challenges and practical solutions,” said Adam Thocher, Senior Vice President Global Market Engagement at GCCA.
