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About Skye Advance Africa

Skye Advance Africa (SAA) was founded in 2020 when the owner, after returning to South Africa from Denmark, recognized a unique opportunity in the market for workboats built with composite materials. This vision led to the creation of SAA, focusing on crafting durable, high-performance vessels for Africa's diverse maritime needs. In 2021, SAA was awarded a grant from the DTIC, under the guidance of the CSIR and AISI, to explore how local glass fiber and resin combinations in composite building—using high modulus vacuum infusion—compared to aluminum. Through rigorous testing, SAA demonstrated that composite materials not only matched but often outperformed aluminum in strength and weight, which allowed the company to support local suppliers in developing their product offerings and supply chains to bolster the boatbuilding and marine industry.

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Since then, SAA has expanded into a manufacturing center and started developing its flagship product: the Skye 10 Series of workboats. Designed for inshore waterways, including rivers, lakes, and dams, the Skye 10 Series features a shallow deadrise that allows for high-speed operation in shallow waters, making it perfect for Africa's unique water conditions. Ranging from 5.5 meters to 9 meters in length, these versatile vessels can be easily transported in a 40ft container and are built to meet the needs of various sectors—from ferries and patrol boats to fishing boats. SAA's commitment to custom-built vessels ensures that each boat meets the specific operational requirements of its clients.

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At Skye Advance Africa, we are more than just boat builders—we are drivers of progress. Our workboats are designed with durability, efficiency, and long-term performance in mind, built using ISO-certified processes, DNV-class materials, and vacuum-infused composite technology to meet the highest industry standards. Guided by an “Africa First” ethos, we prioritize the needs of local communities while fostering workforce development and skills training to support the broader maritime sector. Our innovative approach blends science, research, and technology to deliver tailored marine solutions across key markets, including Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, and South Africa. Beyond manufacturing, we actively collaborate with local industries, government agencies, and private stakeholders to develop vessels that respond to the evolving demands of Africa's maritime industry. Whether supporting sustainable fisheries, facilitating offshore crew transportation, or optimizing inland logistics, every Skye Advance vessel is built with precision, purpose, and a vision for Africa’s maritime future.

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Welcome to Skye Advance Africa—where we don’t just build boats; we build solutions that shape the future of Africa’s maritime industries.

Meet the Founder

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Founder | CEO
Ewen Niske

Ewen Niske is the founder of Skye Advance Africa. With over 30 years of experience in the marine, wind energy, and composite manufacturing industries, Ewen has built a strong reputation in marine engineering and composite technologies. His expertise in Scandinavian marine technology and commitment to innovation have driven the development of high-performance workboats tailored to Africa’s maritime needs. Ewen is passionate about skills development and local workforce training, while his vision for Skye Advance Africa is centered on supporting Africa’s blue economy through custom-built, durable maritime solutions.

A logo of AISI the Aerospace Industry Support Initiative.
A logo of the DTIC the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.
 A logo of CSIR the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.
A south african flag next to a danish flag next a german flag next to a czech flag.

Composite Workboat Manufacturer

© 2015 Skye Advance Pty (Ltd)

2015 / 037945 / 07

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