AISMA/UNIDO & IEEE SA Launch Webinar Series on Global Value Chains and Smart Industry for Africa

On 9 July 2026, IEEE SA and the Alliance for Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing in Africa (AISMA), an initiative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), launched the webinar series, “Smart Industry for Global, Trusted, and Resilient Value Chains: Shaping the Road to Africa 4.0”.

As AI adoption accelerates and digital technologies become increasingly embedded in economic and industrial systems, there is a growing need to build trustworthy digital ecosystems that enable industrial transformation, while remaining aligned with the principles of responsible innovation. In response, IEEE SA and AISMA/UNIDO have joined forces to combine their expertise in technology, industrial development, standards, governance, and capacity building.

The series focuses on advancing sustainable and connected global value chains in the African context. It explores cross-cutting issues—including trustworthiness, safety, and resilience— as well as the development of sector-specific smart value chains in areas such as semiconductors, biopharmaceuticals, and textiles, and other strategic industries.

The inaugural webinar in the series took place on 9 July 2026 and opened with introductory remarks by Rafik Feki (UNIDO) and Clara Neppel (IEEE SA), who presented the vision for the joint webinar series.

Following the introduction, Marisol Palmero (Board Member of Greening of Streaming) examined the key challenges and opportunities associated with building trusted, resilient, and sustainable global value chains. Brando Okolo (AUDA-NEPAD) then highlighted the critical role these value chains can play in accelerating Africa’s industrial transformation through Industry 4.0.

The webinar concluded with an interactive panel discussion, moderated by Sama Mbang (AISMA, Digital Transformation Alliance) followed by a Q&A session that gave participants the opportunity to actively engage with the speakers.

Full panel details

• Rafik Feki, UNIDO Representative for Senegal, Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania, and President of AISMA;
• Clara Neppel, Senior Director, IEEE SA, Austria;
• Marisol Palmero, Technology and Standardization Initiatives Specialist and Board Member of Greening of Streaming, Spain;
• Brando Okolo, Head of Science, Technology and Innovation at AUDA-NEPAD, South Africa.
• Sama Mbang, Founding Member of AISMA, Executive President of the Digital Transformation Alliance (DTA), and CEO of Digit-Tech-Innov Solutions, Cameroon. (moderator)

The second webinar in the series took place on 16 July 2026. It brought together experts from industry, academia, and international organizations to examine global critical minerals and semiconductor value chains and discuss pathways for positioning Africa in the global industrial economy.

Full panel details

• Tracy Okoro, Policy Mobilization, Harmonization and Research Specialist, UNDP timbuktoo, AfCFTA Digital Trade Expert
  Prof. Brando Okolo, Head of Science, Technology and Innovation, AUDA-NEPAD
• Prof.Eng. Jean Bosco, University Professor, Director, DeKUT Siemens Centre and Virtual Mechatronics Labs
• Glenn Kerkhoff, Global Industry Principal, Mining, Metals & Minerals, AVEVA

Moderator

• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sama Mbang, Founding Member, AISMA, Executive President, Digital Transformation Alliance (DTA), CEO, Digit-Tech-Innov Solutions, Cameroon

Discussant (Q&A)

• Sara Dominguez Garcia, Electronic engineer specialized in sustainability, TEKHNĒ
• Dr. Felix Njeh, Co-Founder & CTO, Nelix Chip Design Ltd

The third webinar in the series took place on 30 July 2026. It brought together experts from industry, academia, and international organizations to explore the opportunities and challenges in building global, trustworthy, and sustainable value chains in biopharma. It also examined pathways for accelerating Africa’s transition to the Global Health Economy.

Full panel details

• Suzanne Kasper-Mbilla, Biochemist & African Pharmacopeia expert, CEO, SAÏ I LAMA® Group
• Maria Palombini, Director, Healthcare & Life Sciences Global Practice Lead at the IEEE Standards Association
• Dr Nkem Khumbah, Director & Expert, Policy and Governance, STI-PGA, African Academy of Sciences (AAS)

Moderator

• Prof. Adel Ben Youssef, Associate Professor of Economics, Université Côte d’Azur, Founding Member and Lead Expert, AISMA

Discussant (Q&A)

• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sama Mbang, Founding Member, AISMA, Executive President, Digital Transformation Alliance (DTA), CEO, Digit-Tech-Innov Solutions
• Saâdia Lakehal, CEO & Expert, Emperia Industries Connect, AISMA, Initiator of the Global Women 4.0 & AgriTech Summit

The fourth webinar in the series took place on 06 August 2026. It explored the opportunities and challenges in building trustworthy and sustainable value chains across the textile and apparel sector, and pathways for accelerating Africa’s integration into international fashion markets and strengthening its position in the global textile economy.

Full panel details

• Rebecca Osewa, Cotton Textile Supply Chain Specialist, Yield Initiatives, Founder/CEO, Rebecca Osewa Group Ltd
• Chiaka Adaure Nnodi, Lecturer in Textile Design and Art History, AE-FUNAI, Nigeria, Director, University Centre for Indigenous Textiles
• Prof. Josphat Igadwa Mwasiagi, Associate Professor of Textile Engineering, Moi University, Kenya, Chair, ARSO Technical Committee on Textiles & Accessories

Moderator

• Prof. Eng. Jean B. Bosco Byiringiro, University Professor, Director, DeKUT, Siemens Centre and Virtual, Mechatronics Labs, Founding Member, AISMA

Discussant (Q&A)

• Med Moncef Boufaied, CEO & Engineer, Kapart, Textile Weaving & Manufacturing
• Amar Zaidi, President & CEO, Rebus International Inc

The fifth webinar in the AISMA/UNIDO & IEEE SA series took place on 17 September 2026. It explored how AI-driven ecosystems and applications shape global value chains and their practical application within regional and local contexts, with particular attention to Africa’s industrial landscape. Moreover, it examined the assessment and assurance realities and needs of global AI B2B ecosystems to ensure trustworthy, safe and resilient value chains.

The webinar series on Smart Industry for Global, Trusted, and Resilient Value Chains: Shaping the Road to Africa 4.0 is jointly organized by the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA) and the Alliance for Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing in Africa (AISMA), an initiative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

Full panel details

• Driss Lamrani, Chair, IEEE P7022™ Working Group: Trustworthy Enterprise Generative & Agentic AI, Founder & CEO, Golem Technologies.
• Dr. Milan Kumar, Chief Information & Digital Officer, Member of the Board, CEO, Datafaktory AG
• Prof. Dr. Michael Heiss, Principal Consultant Digitization, Siemens Europe
• Prof. Adel Ben Youssef, Associate Professor of Economics, Université Côte d’Azur, Founding Member and Lead Expert, AISMA
• Clara Neppel, Senior Director, IEEE Europe

Moderator

• Irene Kitsara, European Standards Initiative Director, IEEE Europe