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Blueberri Showcases Hemp Innovation at IBT Presidential Summit
Blueberri, a member of the French South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FSACCI), took part in the Innovative Building Technologies (IBT) Presidential Summit held at the Nasrec Expo Centre on 3 February 2026.
The summit, held under the theme Mainstreaming IBTs for Sustainable Human Settlements, aims to accelerate the adoption of innovative building technologies to improve housing delivery across South Africa. As a pre-State of the Nation Address platform, the event positions IBTs as a national priority to support infrastructure-led growth, modernisation and job creation.
The two-day summit brought together more than 500 participants, including government leaders, industry representatives, financiers, researchers and community stakeholders. Discussions focused on aligning standards, regulations, funding and innovation to speed up the use of new construction methods such as modular systems, engineered materials and digital tools.
Brenton Abrahams, owner of Blueberri, engaged directly with President Cyril Ramaphosa during the summit. He presented an innovative hemp building block developed within his broader business portfolio. The engagement highlighted the role of environmentally responsible materials in shaping the future of South Africa’s built environment.
South Africa faces rising housing demand, project delays and high construction costs. Industry leaders at the summit stressed the need for practical solutions that deliver faster, climate-resilient human settlements. Hemp-based materials offer potential in this space, given their sustainability and performance benefits.
France remains a global reference point in hemp innovation. Blueberri’s participation signals growing opportunities to position hemp construction solutions within South Africa’s mainstream building sector while strengthening links between local and international expertise.
Disclaimer:
This article is an external contribution and was not produced by the French South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FSACCI). The views, opinions, and statements expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of FSACCI.
