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.
Business Case Development
We conduct structured financial, technical, and operational assessments to validate the viability of localisation projects, providing robust business cases critical for securing investment and ensuring the long-term sustainability of localisation efforts.
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
Efficiency Improvement and Capacity Building within the Retail- Clothing, Textile, Footwear and Leather Industry.
To enhance the impact of the Retail–Clothing Textile Footwear Leather Master Plan 2030, the LSF supported two projects within the sector, at the Green Thread Manufacturing factory and KARMA Clothing factory.
Localisation Support Fund Appoints Irshaad Kathrada as New Chief Executive Officer to drive SA’s industrial growth
The Localisation Support Fund (LSF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Irshaad Kathrada as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Kathrada brings a wealth of experience in economic development, industrial policy, and investment strategy—positioning him to accelerate the LSF mandate of impactful and inclusive localisation and industrialisation across 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