FAQ
The Atlantis SEZ is a zone dedicated to the manufacturing and provision of services in the green technology space. Greentech refers to green technologies that reduce or reverse the impact of people on the planet. These include renewable energy technologies. Wind turbines, solar panels, insulation, biofuels, electric vehicles, materials recycling and green building materials are all examples of green technologies that will be welcomed to the zone. The zone welcomes manufacturers, service providers, suppliers and other players in the value chains of different green technologies. The land area of the SEZ is situated in the Atlantis industrial area north of Cape Town, south of Wesfleur, east of Dassenberg Road, and west of the Witsand communi.
The Atlantis SEZ is the result of six years of collaborative effort involving the City of Cape Town, the Western Cape Government, and the national Department of Trade and Industry (the dti). After the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the dti in 2013, the Western Cape Government submitted an application in 2015 to the dti to have parts of the Atlantis Industrial area declared an SEZ.
The submission of the application followed the introduction of a new national SEZ Policy, which aimed to address the challenges with the government’s previous Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) programme. The policy review and the new SEZ Programme, which began in 2007, were also brought about by the developments in national economic policies and strategies such as the National Industrial Policy Framework and the New Growth Path. Additionally, global economic environment developments, such as the formation of BRICS, played a role. Other relevant policies include the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP).
Provincially, the zone complements the Western Cape Government Green Economy Strategy Framework and the City of Cape Town’s Atlantis 2023 strategy.
The dti held public consultations in October 2017 and received overwhelming support in favor of establishing the Atlantis SEZ. On 7 June 2018, the South African Cabinet approved the decision by the then Minister of Trade and Industry to designate the Atlantis Special Economic Zone. This was after the Special Economic Zones Advisory Board was satisfied with the rationale and scale of economic opportunities in the region. They recommended that the then Minister of Trade and Industry designate the proposed area and grant a Special Economic Zones License to the Western Cape Provincial Department of Economic Opportunities. The President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, officially launched the Atlantis SEZ on 06 December 2018.
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Situated on South Africa’s West Coast, the Atlantis SEZ capitalizes on the Western Cape Province’s already booming renewable energy and green technology sector, tapping into the estimated US$3 trillion global clean technology market. The SEZ will boost the South African manufacturing sector, build investor confidence, create jobs, and reduce poverty.
It is expected that the zone will attract a further estimated R3.7 billion of investment by manufacturers of wind blades, smart meters, batteries, wind turbines, solar photovoltaics (PV), and by other players in the waste, agri-processing, gas, and chemicals value chains. The goal is to create nearly 3000 direct jobs in the zone by 2030.
An estimated R700 million has already been invested in the Atlantis SEZ, of which R475 million has been by Gestamp Renewable Industries, a wind tower manufacturer. A geotextiles manufacturer has invested R130 million to date, and a double-glazed window manufacturer has invested R50 million. A wind tower internals manufacturer has invested R25 million. R20 million was recently invested by an acetylene gas manufacturer.
Because of these investments, about 312 new jobs have been created in the zone to date. (GRI employs 295 staff, of which 80-85% are Atlantis residents).
In addition to jobs and investments, the people of Atlantis have also benefited in a number of other ways:
Skills development and training for adults has taken the form of training sessions on solar PV for people from Atlantis and surrounds, and the recruitment of three female interns from Atlantis to work in the SEZ project office. The women successfully transitioned into permanent appointments with the SEZ project office in 2016.
Additional skills development programmes are currently being rolled out, focusing on digital literacy, supporting teachers, as well as a dedicated supplier development programme to support local SMMEs.
Other benefits for Atlantis include the upgrade of the power supply, fiber connectivity and MyCiti transport links.
The creation of local jobs and skills development have been a top priority in the run up to, and will continue to be a major focus to operationalize the Atlantis SEZ. Local procurement (where possible), infrastructure upgrades and local economic development are further community benefits. Aligned to the President’s commitment during the launch of the Atlantis SEZ in December 2018, the Atlantis community will be the first beneficiary of the jobs created through the Special Economic Zone. The ASEZ-CSN’s mandate is to hold the ASEZ accountable and to ensure that economic and skills development opportunities accrue to Atlantis community at large..
The Atlantis SEZ is a perfect fit-in for the City of Cape Town’s Spatial Development Framework. It is likely to preserve, promote and support the efficient use of natural resources, link to production and planning interventions to promote sound environmental management. All legally required Environmental Impact Assessments have been completed to date. Due consideration will continue to be given to the development of the ASEZ land in full compliance with applicable legislation and governance..
There are strong and growing South African and African markets for greentech. The South African greentech manufacturing market is worth at least R30billion; with a growing greentech market in the neighbouring countries. South Africa has opportunities in energy, waste, agriculture, transport and other sectors and is a great entry point for the SADC market.
Atlantis is a great location and development ready. 93 hectares of zoned City of Cape Town land is available for leasing to investors. Bulk infrastructure is in place and Atlantis has new public transport and shipping links and fiber connectivity. Atlantis is also close to major ports, roads, universities and greentech markets.
Investors have access to extensive investment support through the One Stop Shop for investor support and the rest of the investor support ecosystem, which includes InvestSA, GreenCape, the City of Cape Town, and Wesgro. Together the ecosystem provides information and advocacy; market intelligence; facilitated access to permits and licenses, planning and development approval; and skills training. .
Investors and tenants are accessing attractive incentives in the form of tax relief and allowances, employment tax incentives, fast-tracked development approvals, fee exemptions and subsidies.
There is an attractive, wide-ranging skills base to recruit from with 5 universities and many more colleges in the province, and a large range of unskilled, semi-skilled, technical and professional candidates..
- Ensure you have a new venture in a business that is “greentech”
- Contact the Investment Promotions Manager: Jarrod Lyons – jarrod@wesgro.co.za
- If your business passes the initial screening, you will be provided with an application form. You will need to complete the form and submit supporting documentation, including a business plan
- The application will be evaluated through a process which includes representatives of the Western Cape Government’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT), the City of Cape Town, Wesgro, and GreenCape
- If your application is successful, the land area will be confirmed, and the investment promotion team will support you in moving forward and setting up operations in the ASEZ