Cape Town Edition | CEM Africa | Retail

2026 EVENT HIGHLIGHTSCEM AFRICA CAPE TOWN 2026

CEM Africa 2026 brought Africa’s CX community together for three days of practical insight, high-value connection and commercially relevant conversations.

From AI, automation and customer insight to trust, human-centred service and measurable CX impact, the programme connected senior leaders, practitioners and solution providers around the priorities shaping CX today.

Thank you to everyone who made CEM Africa Cape Town 2026 such a success.

Join us again in 2027 from 26-28 July 2027 in Cape Town for three days of insight, connection and commercially relevant CX conversations.

Practical workshops

Real, day-to-day CX challenges explored through practical and collaborative sessions.

Strategic conference

Leadership conversations examining the most important developments shaping CX across Africa.

Solutions and technologies

Explore technology supporting intelligent, connected and trusted customer experiences.

Peer-led discussions

Exchange practical ideas with professionals addressing similar CX and transformation challenges.

1000+ attendees

Connect with CX professionals, innovators, solution providers and business leaders accross 3 days.

Direct access

Build valuable relationships with decision-makers across customer experience and transformation.

View 2026 Programme

2026 CEM Cape Town SpeakersMeet the Thought Leaders of CEM 2026

The LEGO Group

Martin Urrutia

Head of Global Retail Experience

BruceWhitfield.com

Bruce Whitfield

Business journalist & Best-selling author

The Fourth Thread

Zahirah Variawa

Founder

PEP

Peter Fortune

Head of E-commerce & Digital

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA)

Laurene Less

Group Executive Corporate Services

Nedbank

Khensani Nobanda

Group Chief Marketing Officer

Jubilee Health Insurance

Alma Angela Olela

Head of Customer Experience

FNB

Francois Retief

Head of Customer Experience

JSE

Grace Brown

Former Head of Customer Experience and Client Services

Santam Insurance

Khwathelani Tshikovhi

Head Santam Experience and Client Care

Julia Ahlfeldt CX Consulting

Julia Ahlfeldt

Customer Experience Strategist and Business Advisor

One Day Only

Laurian Venter

Director

Equity Group Holdings

Richie Sobayeni

Group Head of Customer Experience Design

View the live programme

Testimonials

“CEM Africa 2025 was an energising and insightful experience. I really appreciated the opportunity to exchange ideas with fellow CX leaders and contribute to conversations that move the industry forward. A highlight and delight, as always!”

Marnitz Van Heerden Head of Customer Experience Discovery Limited

"What an unforgettable few days at CEM Africa in Cape Town! The energy, the conversations with our valued partners, and the shared passion for reshaping customer experience through AI made this event truly special. Thank you CEM Africa for an amazing event. Great energy, inspiring sessions and brilliant conversations on the future of AI in CX."

Keith Jackson VP Partner Sales International NiCE

"CEM is really the premier meeting place for Customer Experience professionals. The event always includes the most knowledgeable sector specialists as well as world-class service providers who share their experiences and successes in some of South Africa's most well-known organisations."

Tracey-Lee Zürcher-Campbell Head of Marketing Payflex

CEM AFRICA SUMMITSEVENT HIGHLIGHTS

CEM Africa 2026 brought Africa’s CX community together for three high-energy days of insight, connection and commercial opportunity achieving an outstanding NPS of +69.

From packed sessions and hands-on workshops to conversations across the exhibition floor and networking events, the event connected CX leaders, innovators, practitioners and solution providers from across Africa and beyond.

2026 at a glance:

970 total attendance
260+ companies represented
20 countries represented
43 workshop & breakout sessions
10 main stage content sessions
+69 Event NPS

More than great content, CEM Africa created the environment for new conversations, new connections and new commercial opportunities - bringing the people shaping customer experience together with the partners and solutions helping them move forward.

Thank you to every delegate, speaker, sponsor, exhibitor and partner who made CEM Africa 2026 such a success.

Download the POST-EVENT REPORT

The CEM Africa 2026 Post-Event Report brings together the key insights, audience data, highlights and outcomes from Cape Town.

CEM Africa brought together an impressive ecosystem of CX leaders, experts and real business cases. Retail and brand experience leaders should be paying much closer attention to Africa, and CEM is a perfect platform to do it through.

Martin Urrutia
Head of Global Retail Experience
The LEGO Group

18 - 20 August 2026 CEM Africa Cape Town

CORPRATE

Single Delegate Passes

Package Includes:

Three day access pass
18 August - Pre Conference activities
19 & 20 August - Workshops and conference sessions
Main Stage Conference Sessions
Business Introductions
Networking Functions
Lunch
Tea & Coffees
Expo Floor
Technical Workshops

R15,000
Including VAT

TEAM

5 + 1 Free Delegate Passes

Package includes:

Three day access pass
18 August - Pre Conference activities
19 & 20 August - Workshops and conference sessions
5 Delegates Passes
Plus 1 Free
Main Stage Conference Sessions
Business Introductions
Networking Functions
Lunch
Tea & Coffees
Expo Floor
Technical Workshops

R75,000
Including VAT

TEAM PLUS

10 + 2 Free Delegate Passes

Package includes:

Three day access pass
18 August - Pre Conference activities
19 & 20 August - Workshops and conference sessions
10 Delegate Passes
Plus 2 Free
Main Stage Conference Sessions
Business Introductions
Networking Functions
Lunch
Tea & Coffees
Expo Floor
Technical Workshops

R 150,000
Including VAT

VENDOR

Package includes:

Three day access pass
18 August - Pre Conference activities
19 & 20 August - Workshops and conference sessions
Strategic Conference Sessions
Workshops
Pre-Scheduled Business Meetings
CEM Connect Networking Party
Lunch and Refreshments
Access to Solution Showcase Floor
Recorded Replays

Ticket Eligibility: If you represent a vendor, solution provider, or work for a company that sells or offers CX products/services, you must purchase a Vendor Pass. If an incorrect ticket type is purchased, the attendee will be invoiced for the price difference and will not be granted access to the event until the balance is paid in full.

R 23,000
Including VAT

WHO ATTENDS CEM AFRICA?THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE ECOSYSTEM

CEM Africa is your platform to connect with professionals from diverse industries, united by a shared goal: to create exceptional experiences that drive customer satisfaction and revenue growth.