About us.
The Localisation Support Fund (LSF) accelerates industrialisation in South Africa by unlocking competitive localisation opportunities. Through targeted research and strategic interventions, we help businesses scale, innovate, and integrate into global markets—strengthening local manufacturing and driving economic growth.
The fund has been created to unlock and unblock localisation in the manufacturing sector in South Africa by funding industry research and deploying technical resources and expertise.
How We Deliver
LSF operates with a focused mandate: to identify and address barriers to industrialisation through evidence-based research, industry engagement, and strategic interventions.
Industry Research
We identify high-impact localisation opportunities through in-depth analysis, generating data and insights that drive evidence-based decisions for strategic localisation initiatives aligned with sectoral priorities.
Value Chain Development
We support the development of competitive, resilient value chains by conducting structured financial, technical, and operational assessments. Our work helps identify localisation levers across the value chain, address cost and capability gaps, and build the case for investment in targeted interventions that unlock scale, improve efficiency, and enhance long-term sustainability.
Technical Support
We mobilise specialised knowledge and skills to overcome barriers in localisation projects, addressing complex challenges to ensure our localisation initiatives are feasible, scalable, and impactful.
Project Execution and Management
We implement and manage projects that localise key value chains and inputs, turning strategic plans into tangible outcomes that drive the realisation of localisation goals.
Network Orchestration
We collaborate with relevant industry stakeholders in order to facilitate connections between supply and demand side participants.
Resources
Carbo Ferrum Case Study: Driving Local Manufacturing in SA’s Energy Sector
This case study explores the Localisation Support Fund’s partnership with Carbo Ferrum, a 51% black-owned steel manufacturer in the Eastern Cape, to boost South Africa’s transmission tower capacity. Targeted technical support improved efficiency, safety, and quality systems, positioning the company to potentially double production within a year. Anchored by demand from Eskom’s Transmission Development Plan, the intervention shows how structured localisation can revitalise manufacturing and support the energy transition.
Leon Naidoo Appointed as Head of Operations
Leon brings a wealth of experience in leading complex operations and supply chain transformation across multiple sectors. His appointment marks an important step as we continue building the Localisation Support Fund’s capability to deliver high-impact projects that unlock industrial growth and create opportunities in South Africa.
What is the Localisation Support Fund? ✔ A South African Manufacturing Localisation Catalyst ✔ Funding Expertise and Resources to unlock localisation opportunities Accelerate implementation and delivery Close Organisational Gaps with roadmap to Knowledge and Technology transfer Strengthen teams through the initial funding of specialist roles Aid in delivering investment ready businesses Activation of larger quantum's of capital ✔ Orchestrate connections between stakeholders and resources ✔ Augment existing localisation projects and programs ✔ Partner with complementary institutions ✔ Project Manage our scope to ensure delivery, mitigate risk and measure impact
We are not a financial provider. An Investor or Fund Manager The primary or sole funder of a localisation project unless the only requirement relates to the LSF scope A Working Capital or Debt Provider A supply chain database or RFQ platform A grant facility without active oversight and participation