Pesto Sea Group backs African Boating Conference as superyacht potential builds

International yacht agency Pesto Sea Group has backed the African Boating Conference (ABC) 2026, being held in Cape Town later this month, as part of a broader push to develop southern Africa’s superyacht destination potential.

The agency is increasing its involvement in the region, supporting industry collaboration and the development of a more accessible, service-ready environment for visiting yachts.

Discussion is increasingly moving beyond the potential to attract visiting yachts towards the practical measures required to make the country, and ultimately the wider African coastline, a more competitive cruising and service destination.

Pesto Sea Group’s growing involvement in Africa brings an international industry perspective to these discussions. The company is participating in the African Superyacht Working Group and engaging with stakeholders involved in advancing Southern Africa’s Superyacht Action Plan.

Speakers and panellists at the African Boating Conference grow

In August 2026, yacht brokerage house Fraser was announced on the panel of this year’s African Boating Conference.

Erwin Bamps, CEO of Gulf Craft, and Paris Baloumis, director of strategic alliances at Oceanco, have also been confirmed as speakers at the conference.

The full programme can be found on the event website.

South Africa’s marine industry infrastructure

According to the conference organisers, participation by businesses that work directly with international yacht owners, captains, managers and operators is particularly valuable for an emerging superyacht destination. Their experience can help identify the practical considerations that influence decisions about where yachts cruise, how long they remain in a destination and where they choose to undertake maintenance, provisioning, crew changes and other services.

Fabio Pesto, CEO of Pesto Sea Group, says: “Southern Africa has enormous potential as part of the international superyacht cruising network, and we want to support the industry as it works to turn that potential into long-term, sustainable growth.

“Through our experience working with yacht owners, captains, managers and operators across established international yachting destinations, we understand the practical requirements that influence where yachts choose to cruise, the services they need and the confidence they need to operate in a destination. We believe that experience can make a valuable contribution to the work already taking place in South Africa.

“For Pesto Sea Group, this is about more than establishing a presence in the region. We want to work alongside local industry, government and other stakeholders, share what we have learned internationally and support the development of an environment that makes Southern Africa increasingly accessible and attractive to the global superyacht fleet.

The subject will form part of the wider conversation at ABC 2026 under this year’s theme, ‘Boating as a Catalyst for Economic Growth’. The conference will bring together representatives from government, boatbuilding, marina and waterfront development, marine services, tourism, investment and the international recreational marine sector.

Conference organiser Veda Pretorius says Pesto Sea Group’s continued involvement reflects an important evolution within the African marine industry.

“What is encouraging is seeing companies move beyond simply recognising the opportunity in Africa to actively participating in its development. If we want to grow superyacht visitation, marine tourism and the wider boating economy, government and industry need to understand what is preventing growth and work together on practical solutions,” explains Pretorius.

“International companies bring knowledge of what yacht owners, captains and operators expect from established cruising destinations, while African businesses and authorities bring the local knowledge required to make those expectations workable here. Bringing those perspectives together is how we begin turning potential into sustainable economic activity.”

Pesto Sea Group’s involvement also brings practical international experience into the development conversation, providing insight into the expectations of yacht owners, captains and managers and the service standards that have helped established superyacht destinations succeed.

The wider objective is not simply to increase the number of yachts visiting African waters, but to build the infrastructure, services, regulatory environment and industry capability that allow the economic value associated with those visits to remain within local economies.