Cigar Culture Summit Africa: First Speakers and Topics Announced

Just one month after its second edition at InterTabac 2026, the Cigar Culture Summit is moving on. From 23 to 25 October, the cigar community will gather in Johannesburg. The first program details have been confirmed. Topics include the development of the African market, brand building, new markets, the history of tobacco and the growth of a vibrant community.

The Cigar Culture Summit offers a focused platform for the national and international cigar industry. It provides practical insights into a dynamic sector and gives participants the opportunity to connect with industry professionals from around the world. The speakers now confirmed bring perspectives from retail, brand development and cigar culture to Johannesburg.

The event will start with opening remarks from Erika Alvarez Rodriguez, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to South Africa. Other speakers include Pedro Ramos, Sales Director at Amano Cigars and co-founder of Los Amigos Cigars. He will discuss developments in the African cigar market and national cigar industry. Andrew Edmondson of Francois Cigar Collection will speak about Africa’s cigar heritage and brand storytelling. Thierry Farah, Co-Founder of Chateau Diadem, will explore how young cigar brands can establish themselves internationally and enter new markets. In his talk, “From Peru to the World,” Gennaro Lettieri, owner of Tabacalera del Oriente, will trace the global history and cultural journey of tobacco. Leonor Abzaradel, CEO of Platinum Nova Cigars, will examine how cigars connect people and markets across borders. And Anthony Azar, founder of the Cigar Sommelier Institute (ICSI), will share insights into cigar storage, collection and preservation.

Claudio Sgroi, founder of CST Consulting LLC, master blender and consultant, will contribute his expertise to the “Blending Experience”. The format has already proved popular as part of InterTabac’s supporting program in Dortmund. Nosipho Gumede, founder of The Cigar Lady SA, will contribute two sessions to the Cigar Culture Summit Africa. She will explore how women can help shape the future of cigar culture and how consumer communities can be built and activated. Her sessions are part of the “Discover Women’s Leadership in Cigar Culture” stream. To highlight and strengthen the role of women in the cigar industry, Messe Dortmund is working with the SOTL Global Movement (SGM). The network brings women from across the cigar world together, raises their visibility and encourages them to build communities of their own.

The Cigar Culture Summit Africa is aimed at cigar aficionados, manufacturers, brand owners, retailers, importers and other industry professionals. Its program combines specialist knowledge with networking and offers insights into opportunities in a growing market. The event is supported by companies from across the sector: Tabacalera del Oriente, Platinum Nova Cigars, Fabrica de Puros International, Clipper Sales, Gran Habano, the Pedro Portia Cigar Lounge, Amano Cigars, the Cigar Sommelier Institute and Les Fines Flames are sponsors.

The Cigar Culture Summit will take place at Emperor Casino in Johannesburg. The venue is easily accessible from the airport and is close to hotels, restaurants and other tourist amenities. Program updates and tickets are available on the event’s website 24/7.