“Africa Is Ready”: City of Joburg gears up for historic WUWM 2025 conference

By Thapelo Molefe

Joburg Market is set to host the World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM) conference from 14 to 16 May 2025 at the Sandton Convention Centre.

The conference will convene leaders from the global agricultural sector to elevate Joburg Market’s profile as South Africa’s largest fresh produce market

Dada Morero, delivering a keynote address a media launch on Wednesday at the Joburg Market, expressed his full political support for the conference and reiterated Johannesburg’s long-term commitment to harnessing wholesale markets as drivers of inclusive growth and innovation.

“Markets are not just economic centres — they are the heartbeat of our communities,” Morero told reporters at the media launch.

“Our vision is to expand and modernise these spaces, making them clean, efficient, and inclusive, particularly for women, youth, and emerging farmers. WUWM 2025 is not only a conference — it is a declaration that Johannesburg and Africa are ready