Africa Superyacht Working Group gains industry recognition as momentum builds
by Superyacht Cape Town 30 Jan 02:58 PST
Madagascar © Africa Superyacht Working Group
Established to ensure the inaugural African Boating Conference delivered tangible outcomes rather than conversation alone, the Africa Superyacht Working Group is rapidly emerging as a credible force shaping the future of the superyacht sector across the continent.
That focus on action has already attracted industry recognition. The Working Group was recently acknowledged by Maritime Review Africa as a 2025 Headliner, recognising initiatives that deliver positive, measurable impact within the maritime sector. The award highlighted the establishment of the Working Group as a catalyst for collaboration and progress within Africa's superyacht industry.
Since its formation, the group has convened twice, bringing together stakeholders from across the superyacht value chain — including marina developers, refit and repair specialists, port authorities, tourism bodies, service providers and policy influencers. Its mandate is clear: to address systemic barriers, align regional stakeholders and actively drive sustainable growth.
"The African Boating Conference was deliberately designed to be a catalyst for action," says Veda Pretorius, convener of the African Boating Conference and Chair of the Africa Superyacht Working Group. "The establishment of the Superyacht Working Group was a direct outcome of those discussions, ensuring that momentum was captured and converted into a structured platform for collaboration and delivery."
To translate strategy into execution, the Africa Superyacht Working Group has now established four dedicated focus working groups, each addressing a critical pillar of sector development:
- Policy and regulation
- Infrastructure, refit and technical capability
- Marketing, branding and positioning
- Research, data and economic impact
These working groups are tasked with developing practical recommendations, aligning stakeholders and driving initiatives that support long-term, sustainable growth across the continent.
A cornerstone of the group's work is the commissioning of an independent economic impact study, designed to provide the data-driven foundation required to support informed decision-making and long-term sector growth.
"If Africa wants to compete meaningfully in the global superyacht market, decisions have to be grounded in evidence," says Maryanne Edwards, marine industry consultant and author of the Superyacht Action Plan. "This work provides the analytical foundation needed to support smarter policy, targeted infrastructure investment and coordinated growth across the region."
The Superyacht Action Plan now underpins the Working Group's approach to data-led advocacy and sector development.
The economic impact study will, for the first time, quantify the sector's contribution to employment, skills development, tourism spend and supply-chain activity across the continent — providing governments, ports, investors and international partners with a credible evidence base.
The Working Group is also focused on articulating Africa's distinctive cruising proposition through destination-led, sustainability-driven itineraries.
"What makes Africa and the South-West Indian Ocean so compelling is the ability to design long-stay, multi-country itineraries that integrate marine, terrestrial and cultural biodiversity," says working group member, Christophe Caume, CEO -Madascarenes. "From safaris and endemic wildlife to volcanoes, lagoons and reef systems, the region delivers a depth of experience that responds directly to the evolving expectations of superyacht owners and charter guests."
The recognition from Maritime Review Africa underscores what the Africa Superyacht Working Group was created to achieve: meaningful action, visible progress and a unified industry voice — ensuring Africa's superyacht sector is no longer peripheral, but firmly on the global map.