On Earth Day (Tuesday 23rd April 2024) the Atlantis Special Economic Zone Company (ASEZCo) convened a stakeholder engagement session.  It was an opportunity to share with stakeholders and partners, progress on investment and development in the green technology space. Together with our partners, the ASEZCo is rooted in the goal of bolstering South Africa's green economy and building public and investor confidence.  It is a collaboration that targets interventions to tackle the pressing challenges in renewable energy and the green economy. In the words of ASEZCo CEO, Matthew Cullinan, "We are enthused by the collaborative spirit driving our efforts. Together, we are poised to effect transformative change, ushering in new opportunities and economic prosperity.  What is critically important is the role of the private sector.  We have outlined a series of opportunities for the private sector to invest and partner with us on.  This includes a public call for expressions of interest in supporting on the property development side, as well as the financing side."

The gathering sought to garner increased support and interest in the ASEZ from investors and other private sector players.  Amongst the highlights reported is that the A-list investment pipeline represents R16billion in investment and 2500 direct jobs. This is over and above the R3.4 billion and 800 jobs achieved. The ASEZCo outlined the progress achieved thus far in developing the zone's infrastructure and along with the opportunities that exist to invest. The ASEZ applies principles of the Living Lab and smart zone principles in development, operations and management of the zone. That is, the drive towards greener practices, lower carbon emitting operations and efficient use of resources. These can be seen in the construction principles currently applied in Zone 1, with water flow and detention infiltration, solar powered streetlights,  future proof ducting for fibre, electrical and other, solar pavement and plastic road. Currently,  construction of civil infrastructure on Zone 1 is underway and is envisaged to be completed by October 2024. This 22 hectares developable area has 11 ready to lease plots with one already allocated to a tenant for development by the ASEZCo. By October, zone 1 will be serviced, with option of top structure built for the tenant’s operational requirements, 24 hours manned security, fully landscaped, maintenance of public/shared areas and buildings by the ASEZ and it will also be fibre ready.

Opportunities for SMMEs participation are made available during construction and beyond. Currently, more than 35% of the contract value has been allocated to SMMEs during the construction of Zone1.

Moreover, the ASEZCo emphasized its broader impact beyond physical development, highlighting initiatives aimed at fostering skills development, supporting local enterprises, and forging strategic partnerships for localisation and optimising value chains. The development and implementation of these programmes supports a growing demand for skills and enterprises with potential investors as well as with existing industries and businesses. Underscoring our work is our focus on driving the green economy and the just transition. Therefore, we are looking to the future. Our STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) programme, in collaboration with CPUT, successfully supported 40 Grade 8 learners from various high schools in Atlantis to develop skills in programming, physical computing and robotics and artificial intelligence. These are the skills that are needed for our young people to be ready for a changing world. 

Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, Ald. James Vos stated, “The City is proud to have played our part through the transfer of land to the Atlantis SEZ Company in a deal that allows the organisation to legally contract on site with prospective (tenants and) bidders. Thanks to such initiatives, Atlantis is now a prime development area available for leasing to investors. But what has been especially wonderful to witness is the number of projects that have been undertaken that are community-focused. The Atlantis SEZ is leading the way in making Cape Town and the Western Cape a hub of green investments and jobs. We stand ready to further drive opportunities in Atlantis and to help unlock our amazing continent’s potential and move towards a cleaner future”

In addition to substantive discussions, the event featured an informative panel discussion on "Growing and Building the Green Investment Ecosystem," with participation from green ecosystem partners including Wesgro, GreenCape, City of Cape Town, Western Cape Government, and Atlantis Special Economic Zone Company. This session delved into strategies for fostering sustainable investment practices and enhancing the green economy.

Western Cape Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger,  emphasized the alignment of the ASEZ with broader regional economic objectives, asserting: The Atlantis Special Economic Zone (ASEZ) has been hard at work putting the building blocks in place to evolve into a hub of green investment, which gives us a small glimpse of what we can do when we commit to green tech, unlocking doors to new industries, jobs, and opportunities right here in the Western Cape. Going green isn’t just good for the planet—it’s smart economics. We’re on the cusp of a green revolution that’s transforming how we work and live. The success of our green transition will rely on acting collectively to secure a better, greener future for the generations to come. No one, no business and no government can succeed on their own. We have and will continue to work hard to cultivate a strong green economy ecosystem by prioritising green economy investments, because we understand that by investing in the green economy, we are investing in our future, precisely because the future is green”

Beyond discussions, the event served as a networking platform, facilitating interactions between attendees and the ASEZ team. Notable guests included property investment professionals, government representatives, and prospective investors.