AFRICAN RAIL INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION × LOCALISATION SUPPORT FUND

in partnership with

TRANSPORT FORUM

INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT WEBINAR

THEME:

THE POWER OF LOCAL:

Evidence-Based Localisation for a Competitive Rail Sector

#LocalRailsLocalJobs

26 FEBRUARY 2026

10:00 AM – 12:30 PM (SAST)

Virtual Event | Zoom 

1. EVENT OVERVIEW

The African Rail Industry Association (ARIA) and the Localisation Support Fund (LSF), in partnership with Transport Forum, invite you to a landmark industry engagement webinar as part of the Power of Local campaign.

This webinar launches the Rail Value Chain Development Study – a comprehensive 6-month market research initiative commissioned by the LSF and supported by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic). The study will provide the evidence base to inform coordinated industrial development, policy design, and procurement reforms across the rail value chain.

Study Purpose

The primary objective is to support the development of local content designation thresholds for the rail transport equipment sector under the Public Procurement Act (2024). This aligns with the National Rail Policy's drive for localisation under rail reform.

Why This Matters

• In 2024 alone, South Africa imported over R2.5 billion in rail transport equipment – a significant opportunity to localise production
• The study will aggregate demand across Transnet, PRASA, Gautrain and other operators
• Findings will directly inform localisation policy, designation thresholds, and procurement reform
• Your input matters – industry participation is essential to ensure recommendations reflect on-the-ground realities

2. WEBINAR PROGRAMME

TIME (SAST)	SESSION	SPEAKER
10:00 – 10:10	Welcome & Opening Remarks The Power of Local – Why evidence-based localisation matters	ARIA Chairperson African Rail Industry Association
10:10 – 10:25	Keynote: Policy Context & Designation Framework Local content designation under the Public Procurement Act	Mmetsa Komane Director: Rail Transport Equipment, dtic
10:25 – 10:40	The LSF's Role in Rail Localisation How LSF is catalysing evidence-based industrial development	Irshaad Kathrada CEO, Localisation Support Fund
10:40 – 11:05	Rail Value Chain Study: Scope & Industry Participation Five integrated workstreams and how to get involved	Letsema Consulting Study Implementation Team
11:05 – 11:25	Industry Perspective: Local Rails, Local Jobs Opportunities and challenges for successful localisation	Mesela Nhlapo CEO, African Rail Industry Association
11:25 – 12:10	Interactive Panel Discussion & Q&A Open discussion – your questions answered	All Speakers Moderated by Transport Forum
12:10 – 12:20	Call to Action: How to Participate Next steps for stakeholder engagement	Tondani Nevhutalu Project Manager, LSF
12:20 – 12:30	Closing Remarks & Way Forward	ARIA Chairperson

 

3. STUDY OBJECTIVES & FIVE WORKSTREAMS

The study assesses South Africa's rail manufacturing ecosystem through five integrated workstreams:

1. Demand-side Mapping: 10-year demand forecast for rail components across all operators
2. Supply-side Capability Assessment: Local manufacturing capacity, technology readiness, scalability
3. Policy Instrument Review: Evaluating designation, NIPP, CSDP and dtic incentives
4. Strategic Guidance: Preserving local capacity during rail sector liberalisation
5. Procurement & Export Mapping: Long-term contracts, strategic sourcing, regional integration

Key Deliverables

• 10-year demand forecast report
• Priority localisation opportunity list
• Supplier capability matrix and gap analysis
• Recommendations for designation thresholds under the Public Procurement Act
• Implementation roadmap with investment needs

4. SPEAKER PROFILES

Mesela Nhlapo – CEO, African Rail Industry Association

Mesela Nhlapo serves as the Chief Executive Officer of ARIA and holds the position of Africa Director for the Rail Working Group. A leading voice for industrial development and transformation, she has been instrumental in driving the Power of Local campaign to promote localisation as the foundation of South Africa's re-industrialisation strategy.

Mmetsa Komane – Director: Rail Transport Equipment, dtic

Mmetsa Komane leads the Rail Transport Equipment directorate at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. The dtic's ongoing support for localisation has been crucial in keeping domestic rail capabilities alive and forms the policy backbone for designation under the Public Procurement Act.

Irshaad Kathrada – CEO, Localisation Support Fund

Irshaad Kathrada is the CEO of the Localisation Support Fund, a public benefit organisation dedicated to advancing strategic localisation in manufacturing and key value chains. Under his leadership, LSF has commissioned this strategic rail value chain development study.

Letsema Consulting – Study Implementation Partner

Letsema Consulting has been appointed to conduct the comprehensive Rail Value Chain Development Study. Their team brings deep expertise in industrial policy, supply chain analysis, and stakeholder engagement to deliver actionable, evidence-based recommendations.

6. KEY MESSAGING FRAMEWORK

Core Messages

1. Localisation creates jobs – addressing structural unemployment with targeted industrial investment
2. Rail reform must include local content – the National Rail Policy recognises rail's central role in industrial development
3. Local procurement empowers inclusive growth – opportunities for SMMEs, youth, women and black industrialists
4. Evidence-based policy drives results – this study will inform designation thresholds with credible data

Hashtags

Primary:

#PowerOfLocal | #LocalRailsLocalJobs | #LocalisationMatters

Secondary:

#ARIA | #LSF | #dtic | #RailReform | #EvidenceBasedPolicy

For enquiries: ARIA This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | LSF This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Please select the icon above to register and to attend virtually You will (in advance) receive you personalised link to join the session on the Zoom platform.