Global engineering company Alfa Laval has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding collaboration and supporting industrial development across Africa following a week-long engagement by its Food & Pharma Division management team in South Africa.
The visit, held in late August, brought together the division’s management for the first time in South Africa and included meetings with regulatory authorities, business partners and customers.
A key highlight was a jointly hosted seminar with Business Sweden South Africa, themed “Future of Food Security and Advanced Pharma Production in Africa.”
The event brought together industry leaders from across the continent to discuss Africa’s growing demand for quality food and pharmaceutical products.
Cedric Domont, President of Alfa Laval Middle East, South and East Africa, said Africa remained a strategic market for the company because of its rapid population growth and expanding industrial needs.
“Africa is one of the most dynamic regions in the world, with the highest population growth globally. This visit reflects our long-term commitment to supporting the continent’s development,” he said.
He said the company would focus on strengthening partnerships and improving execution to support sustainable growth across African markets.
Bongani Twala, General Manager of Alfa Laval South and East Africa, said the company was witnessing rapid transformation in the continent’s food and pharmaceutical industries.
“Africa’s food and pharma sectors are transforming rapidly, and this visit reinforces our commitment to supporting the regional market with solutions that are reliable, efficient and tailored to local needs,” he said.
The engagements also provided an opportunity for Alfa Laval to refine its Africa strategy amid rising demand for sustainable technologies in food processing and pharmaceutical production.
Dhiraj Singh, Vice President for Food & Pharma at Alfa Laval Middle East, South and East Africa, said the continent was entering a period of accelerated growth, creating opportunities for technologies that can support efficient and sustainable production.
“Our discussions this week helped sharpen our strategy and deepen our partnerships,” he said, adding that collaboration with customers, policymakers, economists and business partners would remain central to the company’s approach.
Sammy Hulpiau, President of Alfa Laval’s Food & Pharma Division, said the South Africa visit demonstrated the division’s commitment to Africa and its ambition to contribute to the continent’s development.
The company said insights gained during the engagements would inform its next steps as it seeks to strengthen partnerships, accelerate implementation and deepen its presence across African markets.
Alfa Laval provides technologies and solutions in heat transfer, separation and fluid handling, serving sectors including energy, food, water, medicine, maritime transport and offshore operations.
Founded more than 140 years ago, the company operates in more than 100 countries and employs over 23,500 people. It reported annual sales of 69.6 billion Swedish kronor (about €6.6 billion) in 2025 and is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm.
Alfa Laval South Africa has operated in Johannesburg for more than a century and has supported industrial development across the country and the wider African market.
The company’s products are used in sectors including mining, refining, power generation, food and beverage, with a growing focus on sustainability and energy efficiency.
Alfa Laval South Africa is part of Alfa Laval’s Middle East, South and East Africa operations, which serve markets across the Middle East, Egypt and Southeast Africa.