Page 37 - EngineerIT April May Issue 2026

AEROSPACE

South Africa is already active
across several aerospace-related
industries, with established
capabilities in manufacturing,
ground support, and satellite
services.

James says, “In South Africa,
commercial capability is abundant.
We have manufacturing, ground
support and satellite services, and
we are active across those areas.”

These capabilities have
developed over time through the
country’s aerospace and defence
base, particularly in the Western
Cape. The work is specialised
and often carried out by smaller
companies that contribute to
international programmes and
supply chains.

James places this within the
context of a large and growing
global market: “The global space
economy is over $600 billion, and
South Africa has access to a large
portion of that.

“Access provides a strong
foundation for further growth. The
next phase requires building on
existing strengths and connecting
them more effectively. There is
immense potential in South Africa,
because the capability is already
in place.”

To his point, South Africa’s current
landscape includes a range of
specialised companies, each
operating in defined areas of
expertise. Bringing these capabilities
together into larger, coordinated
programmes presents a clear path
for the sector to expand its reach.
Access to funding influences how
quickly that can happen.

“We are far from the venture capital
sitting in the US, and we do not yet
have a strong local environment
backing high-technology sectors at
that level,” adds James.

37 | EngineerIT April/May 2026