The African Boating Conference is shaping the narrative that boating is not one single industry, it’s an ecosystem. The industries within the sector are often discussed separately, but the real opportunity lies in how they connect. The 2026 African Boating Conference will bring together people and sectors that collectively drive marine economic growth: marina management and development, boatbuilding, skills and training, new technology, marine tourism, regional cruising routes and the superyacht sector.
How the industries connect
A marina is not only a place to berth a vessel — it supports tourism, hospitality, technical services, fuel, provisioning, crew movement and local jobs. A boatbuilder is not only a manufacturer — they anchor a supply chain of designers, engineers, artisans, equipment suppliers and skilled trades. A visiting yacht is not only a luxury asset — the vessel can become a catalyst for local spending across restaurants, transport, agents, refit yards, tour guides, suppliers and coastal communities. The Indian Ocean and Southern Africa sees a steady stream of cruising yachts visiting each year and a number of large ocean crossing rallies. The ABC is trying to replicate this in the super yacht sector through the African Superyacht Working Group.
The real numbers
New research from the Superyacht Life Foundation and SYBAss puts realistic numbers to what the industry already knows. The global superyacht sector generates an estimated €54 billion in total economic output — and for every €1 million in direct turnover, a further €1.4 million flows into the wider economy. Fleet usage and tourism alone account for 50% of that total impact, or €27.1 billion.
The 60m+ segment illustrates why quality matters as much as quantity: just 9–10% of the global fleet, yet responsible for 29% of total fleet expenditure, with destination spend estimated at €24,000 per vessel per day. The refit sector tells a similar story — 1,400 major refit visits in a single year generated €5.6 billion in total economic impact, the majority of it flowing into local trades and specialist services. The opportunity is not in counting arrivals, it is in the depth of spend and the infrastructure that earns it.
For Southern Africa and the wider region, the takeaway is straightforward: this is not about attracting yachts, building boats or developing marinas in isolation. It is about building a connected marine economy — one that links infrastructure, skills, manufacturing, services, tourism and regional collaboration.
This is the conversation ABC 2026 is built around, and one that cannot happen without a government that understands the sector, that advocates for the sector and helps create the conditions in which the sector can grow.
Register here
Government support
Industry can build the boats, develop the marinas and attract the yachts. But without a government that understands the sector, advocates for it and helps create the conditions for it to grow, the opportunity stalls.
Alderman James Vos, Invest Cape Town, sits at the intersection of economic development and marine industry advocacy. As one of the City’s most active voices on trade, investment and the blue economy, he brings a clear understanding of what it takes for government to move from bystander to genuine industry partner — removing friction, enabling investment and championing the sector in corridors where the marine industry rarely has a seat.
The conversation goes beyond legislation and licensing. Two of the most fundamental enablers of a thriving boating industry — water access and marine infrastructure — are areas where government decisions have outsized impact. Who controls access to the water’s edge, how marina development is permitted and prioritised, and how coastal infrastructure is planned and funded: these are not industry questions alone. They are policy questions, and they require policymakers who understand what is at stake.
Don’t miss Alderman Vos speak on the role of government in unlocking economic development — from water access and infrastructure to regulation and investment — and what genuine public-private partnership looks like in practice.
Book now and save
The 2025 African Boating Conference exhibitors have been invited to renew their stands for 2026 and the remaining spaces have been opened up to new exhibitors. The 2026 exhibition will expand across both floors of the venue, creating more opportunities for conversation at Africa’s only dedicated B2B recreational marine event.
Exhibition spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. If you’d like to secure a spot, email ABC.
Early Bird has closed, but for a limited time only SABBEX members can get 20% off group bookings of 5 or more delegates.
Use code topteams at checkout for 5+ tickets. Open to SABBEX members until 8 August.
When and where
The African Boating Conference will be held at The Avenue Conference Facility in the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town on October 20-21, 2026. The two-day program features comprehensive sessions from 9:00 to 17:00 daily, with afternoon site visits on day two offering hands-on industry exploration. Delegates will enjoy networking opportunities, including lunches and special evening events, in one of the world’s most beautiful coastal cities.
Conference topics
Some of the topics that will be covered over the two-day Conference include:
Impact of tariffs on the export market
Boatbuilding in the African Context
Marina Development and Marine Tourism
Developing Regional Superyacht Strategy
Talent in the Marine Sector
Innovation & Technology
Diversity and Inclusion
Marine Insurance and Risk Management
Growing the African Domestic Boating Market
Economic Impact of Boating
For sponsorship opportunities, email Maryanne – maryanne@africanboatinconference.com
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