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Business trip to South Africa 2026 Smart Innovation Tour: Technology, Innovation and Business Opportunities in Johannesburg and Cape Town
November 21st to 29th, 2026
Thuringian companies will receive with the Smart Innovation Tour 2026 The opportunity to get to know South Africa as a dynamic innovation and technology hub. The business trip leads to Johannesburg and Cape Town and is aimed at companies that want to build international partnerships, explore new markets and tap into future industries in Africa.
The focus is on personal Contact , insights into leading technology companies and research institutions, and exchange with relevant stakeholders from business, science, and institutions. Thematic priorities include, among others.. SpaceTech, HealthTech, GreenTech, AgriTech, BioTech, MedTech, HighTech, Precision Technologies and the Startup Scene.
What can you expect on the business trip?
The trip offers Thuringian companies a compact introduction to two of Africa's most exciting economic and innovation hubs. In Johannesburg, Pretoria, Stellenbosch, Somerset West, and Cape Town, participants will visit selected companies, technology centers, and institutions. The itinerary includes expert meetings, briefings, networking opportunities, and delegation visits related to aerospace, sensor technology, medical technology, industrial manufacturing, optics, mining and security technologies, and digital applications.
The planned stations include, among others, the South African National Space Agency, HENSOLDT South Africa, Southern Implants, Schauenburg Systems, ZEISS South Africa, the BMW IT Hub South Africa, Dragonfly Aerospace, CubeSpace, NewSpace Systems, AAT Composites and Spaceteq.
The trip is organized by the Thuringian State Development Corporation / Thuringia InternationalThe local program is supported by German-South African Chamber of Commerce prepared and accompanied.
Itinerary & stops The following stops are on the agenda.
Networking & Market Insights
The technical program is complemented by briefings, joint evening events and networking formats with South African representatives from SpaceTech, HighTech, Innovation and Precision Engineering.
Your benefits – Why this trip is particularly relevant for Thuringian companies
The business trip helps Thuringian companies to better assess South Africa as a future market and to establish concrete international Contact . They gain direct insights into current projects, technological developments, and cooperation potential in one of Africa's most important innovation hubs.
Companies that can particularly benefit include:
Target audience – Who is the trip aimed at? The Smart Innovation Tour 2026 is aimed at Thuringian companies that are interested in South Africa as a business, technology and innovation location.
The business trip to South Africa is particularly relevant for companies in the following sectors:
The trip is suitable for companies that want to explore the South African market, establish new business contacts, find cooperation partners or specifically expand their internationalization strategy.
Travel dates & travel costs
The estimated travel costs vary depending on the flight booking and travel class. For example, economy flights with Condor, domestic flights, hotel, and an organization fee result in total costs of approximately.. 2,690 euros named; for economy flights with Lufthansa around 3,560 eurosFlight and hotel prices are indicative and depend on the booking time.
The registration deadline is August 28, 2026
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about the Business Trip to Vietnam and Thailand 2026
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When will the Thuringian business trip to South Africa take place?
The Smart Innovation Tour 2026 will take place from November 21st to 29th, 2026. Stops include Johannesburg, Pretoria, Stellenbosch, Somerset West and Cape Town.
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What topics are the focus?
The focus of the trip is on technology and innovation fields such as SpaceTech, HealthTech, GreenTech, AgriTech, BioTech, MedTech, HighTech, sensor technology, optics, industrial applications, digitalization and the startup scene.
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Who can participate?
The trip is aimed at Thuringian companies that want to explore business opportunities, collaborations and market entry possibilities in South Africa or expand their international networks.
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What costs are involved?
The program is sponsored by Thüringen International. Participants pay an organizational fee of €400 in addition to their individual travel and accommodation expenses. Total costs are estimated to start at approximately €2,690.
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When is the registration deadline?
The binding registration deadline is August 28, 2026.
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When is the registration deadline?
The registration deadline for the Thuringian business trip to Vietnam and Thailand is.. August 21, 2026.
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Your contact person
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