A group of mostly South African engineering professionals who bought a controlling margin of the South African arm of Netherlands-based engineering consultancy Royal HaskoningDHV have rebranded it as Atana, effective July 1.

The group – management and employees of the company  – now owns 74% of what was Royal HaskoningDHV South Africa, with the Dutch business retaining 26% ownership.

The South African operation of Haskoning became an independent company, owned by employees and local management, on February 29, 2024.

This means that Atana is an independent, majority African-owned firm whose autonomy is a significant competitive advantage across the African continent, allowing it to be more responsive to local market demands, says Atana CEO Anke Mastenbroek.

Atana is a Level 1 broad-based black economic empowerment company, a status that is expected to provide a competitive advantage in local and national tenders and partnerships.

“Our rebrand as Atana highlights our strong focus on the pan-African market while building on 103 years of experience,” says Mastenbroek.

The South African company remains Haskoning’s (formerly Royal HaskoningDHV) strategic partner in Africa and some of its practice areas will continue to deliver on global projects, specifically Atana’s data centre, light industry, climate resilience and aviation divisions.

“Atana is filled with talented people committed to doing challenging work that makes a difference to South Africa, Africa and the globe. We want a world that is better, fairer and greener, so that everyone enjoys a more resilient society,” Mastenbroek highlights.

The company is focused on solving Africa’s most pressing challenges through delivering on global and pan-African projects, leveraging technology, software and a multidisciplinary approach.

The company that later became Royal HaskoningDHV South Africa was founded in Johannesburg in 1922 as Stewart Scott International. DHV Group acquired a majority shareholding in 2006.

In 2012, DHV and Royal Haskoning merged and became Royal HaskoningDHV South Africa.

“Now, as Atana, we are enthusiastically returning to our African roots,” Mastenbroek explains.

The name Atana is inspired by the Shona word zvakabatana, which means “closely connected”, and reflects a philosophy of integration, cohesion and success, the company avers.

Atana believes its new ownership structure will help it attract and retain African and South African talent committed to growing and developing the company and its renewed focus on local market opportunities.