Cape Town’s growth sectors deliver jobs and R18,9 billion investments through City partnerships
City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, Alderman James Vos, says partnerships with key industry bodies are helping to strengthen Cape Town’s priority growth sectors, contributing to 15 948 direct jobs and R18,9 billion in investments during the 2025/2026 financial year. Read more below:
The projects are delivered through the City’s Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) partners, which operate across key industries, including business process outsourcing (BPO), marine manufacturing, clothing and textiles, information and communications technology (ICT), the creative economy and green manufacturing. Partners such as Wesgro also support investment attraction and trade development for Cape Town and the Western Cape.
‘Economic growth requires strong partnerships between government, industry and businesses. Our role is to create the conditions for businesses to grow, support sectors where Cape Town has a competitive advantage, and ensure that more Capetonians have the skills needed to participate in the opportunities created.
‘The 15 948 jobs referenced are directly linked to City-funded projects, while the R18,9 billion in investments supports further economic activity across the broader economy.
‘The impact of these programmes is best seen when meeting the people who have benefited from new skills and opportunities.
‘During visits to businesses and training programmes across the city, I have met many Capetonians who have entered industries they may never have considered before. Whether it is manufacturing, technology, tourism or the green economy, the right skills and industry partnerships can open doors to sustainable careers,’ said Alderman Vos.
Highlights of initiatives delivered through the City’s industry partnerships include:
- BlueCape developed an e-foiling instructor course, supporting opportunities in the growing marine leisure economy. The global e-foiling market was valued at $1,2 billion in 2025.
- CapeBPO’s Youth Skills Accelerator Programme trained approximately 1 500 Capetonians in communication, customer experience and digital skills needed for opportunities in the BPO sector.
- The Cape Clothing and Textile Cluster’s Cape Acceler8 programme supported 40 small and medium manufacturers, approximately 60% of whom are Cape Flats-based, through leadership development, accredited technical training and business support.
- The Craft and Design Institute (CDI) reached more than 5 000 entrepreneurs through its upskilling programmes, with an increased focus on digital learning.
- GreenCape’s Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme (WISP) hosted more than 60 businesses at its latest workshop, helping companies identify opportunities to reuse resources and reduce waste. Since its inception in 2013, WISP has facilitated 237 synergies and diverted 146 000 tonnes of waste from landfill.
- Greater Tygerberg Partnership projects trained 229 people through its Skills Centre and supported more than 30 circular economy entrepreneurs.
- UVU Africa’s CAPACITI programme issued more than 1 150 micro-credentials and 443 industry-recognised certifications, equipping graduates with skills aligned to employer needs. Through CAPACITI and UVU Bio, 30 SMME placement partners absorbed work-ready graduates into Cape Town’s digital and biotech sectors.
- Wesgro’s Cape Trade Portal connects 1 290 verified exporters offering more than 8 300 products and services with 761 registered international buyers across 80 countries.
‘The value of these partnerships is reflected in both the economic data and the journeys of individuals who have benefited.
‘People like Tsepo Phetla show what is possible when skills development is connected to industry demand. Tsepo started as a school assistant in his hometown before completing a software development programme through UVU Africa. Today, he is a cyber security analyst at a multinational clothing and textile company.
‘Similarly, Leroy Rudolf, one of the first graduates of False Bay College’s Yacht and Boat Building course, supported by BlueCape, is now a supervisor at a yacht-building company. Along with fellow sailors, he has also invested in a yacht and is preparing to compete in the Cape to Rio Sailing Challenge.
‘The hopes and dreams of Leroy, Tsepo and thousands of other people have been realised or begun to take shape because the City works with industry bodies to invest in Cape Town’s most prized asset – its people,’ said Alderman Vos.
To find out more about the City’s SPV partners, Wesgro and the industries they support, visit https://www.investcapetown.com/en/how-can-we-help/key-partners/
