AISMA at the International Smart Factory Summit 2026

AISMA at the International Smart Factory Summit 2026: Advancing Africa's Voice in Smart Manufacturing

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From 24 to 26 June 2026, AISMA, the Alliance for Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing in Africa, a UNIDO-supported initiative, participated in the International Smart Factory Summit 2026 at Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne, reaffirming its commitment to positioning Africa as a key stakeholder in the global dialogue on smart manufacturing and Industry 5.0.

Representing UNIDO and AISMA, Rafik Feki, President of AISMA and UNIDO Representative to Senegal, Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania, delivered the opening address. He highlighted the importance of Industry 5.0 as a human-centered approach to industrial transformation that places people, sustainability and resilience at the heart of technological progress. He also emphasized the need to strengthen international cooperation to ensure that smart manufacturing delivers inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

AISMA experts also made significant contributions to the summit’s technical programme. Prof. Adel Ben Youssef, Founding Member of AISMA, Professor at Université Côte d’Azur, Advisory Board Member of INCIT, and an internationally recognized expert in the twin transition, climate finance and Industry 4.0, delivered a keynote entitled Global Industry State & Regional Strategic Shifts. His presentation explored how geopolitical tensions, technological transformation and shifting global value chains are reshaping manufacturing, underscoring the critical role of forward-looking industrial policies, trusted partnerships, innovation and regional cooperation in strengthening industrial resilience and competitiveness.

During the expert session Smart Factories for Africa: Challenges, Horizons, and Pathways for Inclusive Industrial Digital Transformation, Prof. Dr. Mbang Sama, Founding Member of AISMA, Executive President of the Digital Transformation Alliance (DTA) and CEO of Digit-Tech-Innov Solutions, presented AISMA’s vision for addressing Africa’s industrial challenges through smart manufacturing, digital transformation, innovation, skills development, strategic partnerships and locally adapted solutions to accelerate an inclusive, sustainable and human-centered industrial transformation.

The summit also provided an opportunity to promote the AFRICA 4.0 Conference 2026, organized by AISMA and UNIDO, which will take place from 17 to 19 November 2026 in Dakar, Senegal.