On 2 April 2025 approximately 500 delegates representing 250 Africa-based small and medium businesses, from 12 countries have come together in Johannesburg to pitch their products to Massmart buyers at the Massmart powered by Walmart Growth Summit.

This first ever Africa-focused Growth Summit is modelled on similar highly successful events that Walmart has hosted, the most recent being in Chile.

Earlier today delegates heard from Massmart and Walmart Executives about opportunities to partner with Massmart. These opportunities include supplying directly to Massmart’s Builders, Game, Makro and Jumbo Cash & Carry stores, manufacturing Massmart Private Brand products and registering as sellers on Makro’s online Marketplace.

In a video address, the Honourable Minister of Trade, Industry & Competition, Mr. Parks Tau said, “This summit is testament to the power of collaboration between government and the private sector, between local entrepreneurs and global markets and ultimately between vision and opportunity.” He reminded summit participants that every contract awarded would strengthen South Africa’s manufacturing base and urged them to seize the opportunity, engage meaningfully and build networks to take their businesses forward.

The objective of the summit is to expand and strengthen Massmart’s Africa-based supplier network and involves supplier delegates pitching their products directly to Massmart buyers in 30 private pitch meeting rooms that have been constructed at the summit venue.  The pitch meetings take place every 40-minutes throughout the day.  Commenting about this arrangement Massmart Chief Merchandise Officer, Herman Venter says, “An industry-wide challenge for smaller businesses is to identify and connect with the right buyers for their products. The Growth Summit overcomes this hurdle by scheduling meetings between prospective suppliers and buyers in a single place. To achieve this, we have 125 Massmart buyers at today’s event with the specific purpose of meeting and developing business relationships with participating suppliers.”

Among the early recipients of a golden ticket, was Nokukhanya Mncwabe, Co-Founder and CEO at Africa Liquor Company. Commenting after her pitch meeting she said, “While attending this event is a great opportunity for my business, I am grateful for all the information that was available to help us in advance, which demystified the retail landscape in addition to helping us prepare for our pitches. My obvious highlight from this event is the prospect that our Matawi Honey Liqueur will soon be available in Makro stores and I cannot wait to get started.

At the time of writing, other product examples from suppliers who had received golden tickets included spare-ribs, floor polish and sauces.

Whatsapp