Transport Evolution Africa returns to Johannesburg on 8–10 June 2027, connecting port, rail, road and logistics buyers with suppliers across the continent.
Dates
8–10 Jun 2027
City / country
Johannesburg, South Africa
Venue
Gallagher Convention Centre
Are you the organiser of this event?
Event overview
Transport Evolution Africa 2027 returns to the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg from 8 to 10 June, co-located with Big 5 Construct South Africa and the South Africa Infrastructure Expo. The three-day trade forum connects port, rail, road and logistics authorities with contractors, investors, technology suppliers and project owners from across the continent.
Visitors can review live transport and infrastructure projects, attend summit and technical sessions, and meet exhibitors supplying rolling stock, port equipment, road technology, digital mobility and freight solutions. Entry is free for trade and industry professionals over 21, and one visit covers the wider construction and infrastructure exhibition.
TL;DR
Meet the authorities, operators and project owners who specify port, rail, road and freight systems. Compare equipment and digital platforms in one hall, attend technical sessions on connectivity and smart mobility, and use the co-located construction and infrastructure expo to reach adjacent buyers without a second trip.
Exhibiting places your transport or logistics solution in front of government decision-makers, contractors, investors and operators from South Africa and neighbouring markets. The co-located halls widen the audience into construction, energy, water and digital infrastructure, and the conference programme gives technical teams a platform to demonstrate expertise.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Gallagher Convention Centre, 19 Richards Drive, Midrand, 1685, Gauteng, South Africa
Secure on-site parking is provided at Gallagher Convention Centre; arrive early on the opening morning because the co-located shows share the car parks.
The venue has level access and accessible ablutions; contact the organiser ahead of the visit if you need a mobility scooter or reserved parking.
A staffed cloakroom operates near the main entrance during show hours.
Food options
Gallagher Convention Centre food court
On-site diningParking: On-site parking is available at the venue; use the main entrance off Richards Drive and follow event signage for exhibition parking.
Gate: Enter through the Gallagher Convention Centre main entrance on Richards Drive and follow registration signage for the co-located halls.
Attend
Ticket info
Badge collection
Register online in advance and collect your badge at the main entrance registration desk; bring photo ID.
Ticket notes
Free entry for trade and industry professionals over the age of 21; one registration covers the co-located events.
What's on
Big 5 Construct South Africa
The region’s large construction exhibition, covering materials, equipment, tools and project services.
Same venue and dates as Transport Evolution Africa.
WebsiteSouth Africa Infrastructure Expo
Infrastructure exhibition spanning power, water, waste, digital and transport projects.
Same venue and dates as Transport Evolution Africa.
WebsiteHow the last edition performed
Last edition
2026
Visitors: 3,000
Exhibitors: 100
Exhibitor countries: 19
This edition
2027
Visitors: 3,500
Exhibitors: 120
Next edition
Not announced yet
Impact
Transport Evolution Africa matters because it gathers the public project owners and the private suppliers who deliver port, rail, road and logistics schemes in one place. For a buyer, the co-located construction and infrastructure halls shorten the search for partners across the whole project lifecycle.
Audience quality
The audience is senior and project-led: transport authorities, operators, contractors, investors and technical suppliers. It is smaller than a mass construction expo, but the density of decision-makers working on live corridors and procurements is the reason to attend.
Exhibitor outcomes
The case for exhibiting rests on qualified project conversations rather than footfall. Suppliers with a demonstrable reference project, a local partner and a clear tender proposition are best placed to convert contacts; no rebooking rate or audited ROI is claimed here.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
South Africa is spending on road, rail, port and municipal infrastructure while freight demand grows across the region. Transport Evolution Africa puts project owners, transport authorities and financiers in the same halls as the suppliers and contractors who deliver those schemes, making it a practical meeting point for cross-border transport and logistics business.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Freight corridors and border efficiency
Road, rail and port investments are being planned as integrated corridors to move minerals, agricultural goods and manufactured imports faster across Southern Africa.
What it changes: Buyers are looking for tracking, cargo security and intermodal equipment that works across borders, not single-mode solutions.
Digital and smart mobility
Authorities are adopting traffic management, tolling, telematics and data platforms to improve safety and asset utilisation on ageing networks.
What it changes: Software and systems integrators can position alongside traditional equipment suppliers as transport operators digitise.
Resilient and lower-carbon infrastructure
Climate-resilient roads, rail electrification and lower-emission fleets are moving from policy papers into procurement.
What it changes: Suppliers with proven sustainability and maintenance credentials can differentiate in project tenders.
Transport Evolution Africa sits inside a co-located infrastructure week, with construction and infrastructure exhibitions sharing the Gallagher halls.
June 2027
All three run 8–10 June at Gallagher Convention Centre.
Co-location and dates confirmed on the official event homepage and 2026 press release.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
O.R. Tambo International Airport
Main international gateway; Gautrain and e-hailing connect to Sandton and Midrand.
about 30 km
to venue
30–45 minutes
by car
Lanseria International Airport
Smaller airport north-west of Johannesburg; useful for private and some regional flights.
about 45 km
to venue
45–60 minutes
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 55–85 / night
Clean, functional rooms within a short drive of Gallagher; book early for show week.
USD 110–170 / night
Business hotels with parking and easy access to the N1 and Gautrain.
USD 200–320 / night
Full-service hotels close to restaurants and the Gautrain, 25–40 minutes from the venue.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Gautrain + e-hailing
Gautrain runs to Sandton; complete the trip by Uber or Bolt.
e-hailing
Uber and Bolt are widely available; allow extra time on the opening morning.
Shuttle / taxi
Pre-book an airport transfer for departures; metered taxis are scarce at the venue.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor visa | Nationalities without visa-free entry | — | 10–15 working days | |
| Business visa | Visitors attending meetings, tenders or negotiations without visa-free entry | — | 10–15 working days |
Many nationalities enter South Africa visa-free for short business visits; check the Department of Home Affairs list before booking.
South Africa accepts ATA Carnets for qualifying temporary exhibits, subject to customs-broker confirmation.
Official visa pageWeather
June is winter in Johannesburg: dry, sunny days around 16–19°C and cold mornings and evenings near 4–7°C. Rain is uncommon but bring a warm layer for the halls and evening transfers.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Mobile data is widely available; buy a local prepaid SIM at OR Tambo or use hotel Wi-Fi. The venue has business-lounge connectivity, but exhibition-floor Wi-Fi can be congested.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Business etiquette
South African business meetings are relationship-led. Exchange cards, allow time for introductions and avoid scheduling every minute of the day.
Tipping
Tip restaurant staff around 10–15% and car guards a few rand; e-hailing fares usually include the tip prompt in the app.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: JNB
Book 8–12 weeks ahead for the June show week; fares rise once the co-located events open registration.
Book flightsMany business visitors enter visa-free; others need a visitor or business visa before travel. Check the Department of Home Affairs list for your nationality.
Estimated cost: USD 60–100
Processing: 10–15 working days
Apply through the nearest South African mission or VFS centre; carry proof of accommodation and a letter from your employer.
OfficialGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Gautrain from OR Tambo to Sandton, then 20–30 minutes by e-hailing; a direct taxi takes 30–45 minutes.
Hotel → venue: Use hotel shuttles where offered, or Uber/Bolt from Sandton and Midrand hotels.
Ride-hail: Uber and Bolt operate across Johannesburg; allow 15–30 minutes for pick-up at the venue.
Public transit: The Gautrain is the reliable rail option; local minibus taxis serve Midrand but are not recommended for first-time business visitors.
Parking: On-site parking at Gallagher Convention Centre; arrive before 09:00 on the opening day.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: June
Temperature: 4–19°C
Seasonality: Dry winter with low rainfall; cold mornings and evenings.
Packing: Pack layers, a warm jacket and comfortable shoes for the exhibition halls.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Tuesday 8 June
The opening day carries the keynote and policy sessions plus the first full exhibition day, when senior project owners and exhibitors are most available.
Register online and confirm your badge — One registration covers the co-located events.
Book flights and hotel in Midrand or Sandton — June is peak show week for the co-located halls.
Build a target exhibitor list and meeting requests — Use the exhibitor directory and conference themes.
Arrange airport transfer and print documents — Save the venue address and an offline map.
Check the programme and pack layers — Winter mornings are cold; halls are spread out.
Registration and badge collection
Gallagher main entranceTransport Evolution summit session
Conference theatreSupplier meetings on the exhibition floor
Transport Evolution hallsWalk the co-located construction and infrastructure halls
Big 5 Construct South AfricaApartheid Museum
Museum
about 30 minutes from the venue
Award-winning permanent exhibits on South Africa’s political history.
Cradle of Humankind
Heritage Site
about 45 minutes north-west of Johannesburg
UNESCO-listed fossil sites and the Sterkfontein caves.
Transport Evolution exhibition floor
exhibition lounge
Coffee points and stand conversations between sessions.
Gallagher hotel bars and restaurants
informal
Nearby Midrand hotels host exhibitor dinners during show week.
Transport projects move slowly, so follow-up should focus on the next meeting or tender milestone rather than a generic brochure.
Budget
Shell scheme
ZAR 2800–4200 / m²
Raw space
ZAR 1600–2500 / m²
Standard booth
9 m²
No 2027 per-square-metre tariff or exhibitor manual has been published. Bands are modelled from comparable South African infrastructure exhibitions.
sourceAdjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
Shell scheme stand
Exhibitor · 9 sqm
USD 1350–2070 / stand
Hotel
Visitor · mid
USD 110–170 / night
Per diem
Visitor · standard
USD 45–70 / day
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shell scheme stand | Exhibitor | 9 sqm | USD 1350–2070 / stand | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| Hotel | Visitor | mid | USD 110–170 / night | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| Per diem | Visitor | standard | USD 45–70 / day | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
Decision
Six quick questions weigh whether this show is worth a visit, a stand, or a pass.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
Which best describes your organisation?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You need to compare suppliers and meet project owners.
Best for
Transport authorities, operators and buyers with a live project
Min. budget
$1,200.00
Timeline
Book 8–12 weeks ahead
Risks
Limited time to cover the co-located halls
exhibit
You have a reference project and a clear tender proposition.
Best for
Suppliers and contractors with a South African partner
Min. budget
$6,000.00
Timeline
Commit 3–6 months ahead
Risks
Smaller audience than a mass construction show
skip
Your pipeline has no South African or regional project.
Best for
Teams with no African transport project in the next 12 months
Timeline
Revisit in 2028
Risks
Missing early project intelligence
Book with
Gallagher Convention Centre
The Midrand convention centre that hosts the co-located transport, construction and infrastructure exhibitions.
Venue named on the official event page; not confirmed as a commercial partner.
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA)
Operator of OR Tambo and other South African airports, the main arrival point for international visitors.
Public airport operator relevant to travel planning; not an official show partner.
Gauteng Growth and Development Agency
Provincial investment promotion agency for Gauteng, the host province.
Public agency relevant to investors; not confirmed as a show partner.
South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL)
Public roads agency responsible for the national road network and a key buyer in the transport sector.
Public roads body relevant to the show’s buyer base; not confirmed as a partner.
Recommended providers
Official visa categories and requirements; apply before travel.
Budget and mid-range hotels in Midrand and Waterfall near the venue.
National carrier with regional and international connections into OR Tambo.
Freight forwarding and customs brokerage for exhibition cargo.
South African insurer for travel and exhibition public-liability cover.
Hop-on hop-off tours for a short pre- or post-show stay.
Event lead-capture and registration tools; confirm POPIA compliance.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
4 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
3
References
1
Publishers
3
Date checked
dmg events
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