Cape Town’s electronics industry is a hub of innovation, showcasing the city’s adaptability and responsiveness to the ever-evolving world of technology. Despite its modest size, the sector plays a crucial role in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and driving foreign exchange earnings through exports.
A Snapshot of the Industry (2022):
[Source: Regional eXplorer, 2023; FDI Intelligence, 2023]
Cape Town is home to a diverse range of companies working in exciting areas like satellite technology, circuit board manufacturing, telecommunications, medical technology, consumer electronics, and appliances. This diversity within provides numerous opportunities for investment and expansion.
Here’s a glimpse of some of the companies leading the way:
Reaching for the Stars (Satellite Technology): NewSpace Systems, SCS Space, CubeSpace, S-PLANE, Denel Spaceteq, African Space Innovation Centre (CPUT), Simera
Building the Future (Circuit Board and Contract Manufacturing): MEC Technology, Montar Manufacturing, Trax Interconnect, Switchboard Manufacturers Cape, ZYTEQ Technologies, Barracuda Holdings
Connecting the World (Telecommunications – excluding cell phones): Garmin, Tellumat, ET Systems, Quantum Telecommunications, ENRA Technologies
Improving Lives (Medical Technology): Pinnacle Instruments, Rhomberg Instruments, Masskot, Sheer Mobility, Minus 40, Winfar Surgical
Enhancing Everyday Life (Consumer Electronics): Hisense, Panasonic
Making Homes Smarter (Appliances): Hisense, AEG, Panasonic
What Makes Cape Town’s Electronics Industry Shine?
We’re all about innovation:
Creative design thinking and a knack for putting complex systems together are in our DNA. This is reflected in the prevalence of innovative design thinking and strong systems integration capabilities within the sector.
Talent is our superpower:
We have a pool of skilled engineers ready to tackle any challenge. Access to this skilled workforce is readily available, making it easier for companies to find the talent they need.
Africa is our market:
We’ve got strong connections to export markets across Africa, with the infrastructure to get our products where they need to go. Established African export markets for electronic products already exist, and Cape Town’s good infrastructural connectivity makes reaching these markets seamless.
Exporting is easy:
Getting products out to the world from Cape Town is easy, and our costs for consumer electronics manufacturing are competitive. Cape Town offers ease of exporting products and is considered a comparatively low-cost destination for consumer electronic manufacturing.
Space is in our history:
We’ve got a legacy of expertise in space technology, thanks to the national space programme facility that used to be located in Grabouw. This historical advantage has resulted in a concentration of space technology skills in the region.
Investing in Cape Town’s Electronics Industry: A Smart Move
When you explore investment opportunities in Cape Town, you’re opening the door to a world of possibilities, both within the city and the wider Western Cape region. Our electronics industry is a prosperous one, fuelled by innovation across various sub-sectors, and supported by Cape Town’s world-class infrastructure. We’re a resilient city with a strong growth trajectory, making us the perfect place for global investors to launch game-changing businesses.
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