A REGIONAL OVERVIEW OF THE
WESTERN CAPE The Western Cape’s lead in technology is giving it the edge in a number of other sectors as it sets its sights on improving energy supply and rail transport. By John Young
C
ape Town’s status as “Africa’s Tech Capital” gives the city-region the basis for leadership in a range of other sectors such as asset management, financial services, business process outsourcing and others. Neighbouring Stellenbosch is advancing its reputation for technological innovation and the output of the region’s four universities and six TVET colleges ensures that the tech sector has the necessary human capital. There are 22 active incubators and accelerators in the region which provide networking and marketing opportunities and links to funders and markets. The City of Cape Town has installed 848km of fibre-optic cable and the sector supports more than 40 000 jobs with established brands such as Amazon and Panasonic coexisting with startups such as Luno,
WESTERN CAPE BUSINESS 2021
Yoco, Jumo and SweepSouth. Cape Town hosts more than half of all startups in South Africa. The Western Cape is one of nine provinces of the Republic of South Africa. South African provinces do not have the kinds of powers enjoyed by states in federal entities such as the US or Nigeria. Health, education and traffic have traditionally been the biggest components of provincial authority. The priority list of the Western Cape Provincial Government, however, includes energy and transport. The province and the City of Cape Town are lobbying national government for a greater role for municipalities in the generation and distribution of energy. The potential of renewable energy is being realised through the national independent power producer programme and
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