2026: A year of disciplined growth and sustained momentum

In March, Inospace will mark its ninth anniversary. Nine years of building, adapting, learning, and executing in one of the most complex property and logistics environments in the world. What began as a conviction that space could work better for entrepreneurs has become a scaled platform supporting thousands of businesses across South Africa. That milestone matters, not as a celebration of longevity, but as proof of momentum earned through discipline and consistency.

As we enter 2026, we do so under the sign of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac. The Horse symbolises energy, endurance, independence, and forward motion. It is not a symbol of spectacle or sudden breakthroughs. It represents sustained progress and the discipline required to keep moving forward over long distances.

This symbolism is particularly relevant for Inospace as we support our clients in building and scaling their businesses, and for our team members who execute our strategy every day. After several years marked by adjustment and resilience, we now enter a phase that demands focus, execution, and sustained effort built on a far stronger foundation.

2026 will not be a year defined by noise. It will be a year defined by clarity of purpose, disciplined execution, and momentum that compounds over time.

From volatility to velocity

The past few years have tested businesses worldwide. Inflation surged, interest rates rose sharply, geopolitical tensions unsettled markets, and supply chains were forced to adapt at a rapid pace. These pressures demanded sharper decision-making and operational discipline, but they also accelerated reform, innovation, and resilience.

By the end of 2025, South Africa was in a meaningfully stronger position. Energy stability has improved, private sector investment has increased, logistics performance is recovering, and business confidence has begun to return. The direction of travel has shifted from survival toward growth.

At the same time, optimism must be balanced with awareness. We live in a world where black swan events can emerge quickly and reshape markets almost overnight. Political shocks, technological breakthroughs, geopolitical escalation, and sudden shifts in consumer behaviour can compress years of change into weeks. This applies not only to downside risk, but also to upside opportunity.

This reality demands alertness and adaptability. Businesses must be structured to respond quickly, not only to disruption, but also to unexpected growth.

The horse remains calm in uncertainty. It adjusts its pace, finds its rhythm, and continues forward with intent rather than panic.

At Inospace, our view is clear. The winners in 2026 will not be those who sprint in short bursts or wait for perfect certainty, but those who move steadily in the right direction while remaining alert and ready to act.

Space that works in a growing and changing economy

Logistics, storage, and light industrial space sit at the centre of economic activity. Every product sold, every order fulfilled, and every growing business depends on space that enables movement rather than restricting it.

This is where Inospace exists by design.

We are not in the business of generic warehousing. We create flexible, well-located infrastructure that supports how modern businesses operate in dense urban environments. Space that adapts as businesses grow or pivot. Space that reduces friction across supply chains and day-to-day operations.

As economic activity accelerates, inefficiency becomes more costly. Time, distance, and working capital tied up in the wrong space directly affect competitiveness. Businesses can no longer afford oversized premises, inflexible leases, or locations that slow execution.

Urbanisation continues to intensify. Distribution is moving closer to consumers. Supply chains are shortening. The ability to respond quickly increasingly depends on proximity and flexibility.

From expansion to intelligent optimisation

A defining theme of 2026 will be the continued shift away from indiscriminate expansion toward intelligent optimisation.

Across sectors, businesses are prioritising quality over quantity. Better located space instead of larger footprints. Better utilisation instead of excess capacity. Better systems instead of unnecessary complexity.

This approach aligns directly with the Inospace model and informs our growth strategy.

A year of disciplined expansion and execution

The next six months will mark one of the most active execution phases in Inospace’s history. We will be launching and advancing several new sites that reflect both the scale we have reached as a business and the discipline with which we continue to grow.

Each project is grounded in demand, location fundamentals, and long-term relevance to urban logistics, storage, and workspace.

The Exchange will be our flagship storage and workspace development, situated adjacent to the Cape Town International Convention Centre and within walking distance of the V&A Waterfront. Rising thirteen storeys above the CBD, it will be the tallest storage facility in South Africa and the new Inospace head office. More than just a building, it represents our confidence in the future of the CBD and serves as an iconic marker of our growth.

Salt Exchange marks our entry into the Woodstock precinct with a large last-mile logistics and storage facility near Salt River Circle and the Old Biscuit Mill. It strengthens our urban network in a rapidly evolving node where proximity and flexibility are crucial.

Marine Works, located with direct access to Marine Drive, expands our presence in an area where we are already a significant owner. The site will serve both the immediate area and the broader West Coast corridor.

The Powder Mill in Pinelands will undergo a full renovation and repositioning, featuring over 200 new storage units, expanded container storage, and the introduction of a Takealot drop-and-go facility. This redevelopment will bring renewed relevance to a landmark site near the Riverlands development.

At Maitland Storage, our original test site, we will double our footprint and introduce additional logistics services, reinforcing Maitland’s role as a central industrial node.

Grand Works, located near the Grand West Casino and entertainment precinct, will offer upscale, air-conditioned storage, last-mile space, a modern business hub, and parking for over 400 vehicles.

In Johannesburg, Thora Works represents a major step forward with the acquisition of a twelve-thousand-square-metre warehousing and last-mile logistics site in Sandton, significantly strengthening our Gauteng platform.

At Olympia Works, also in Sandton, we will expand the existing facility and introduce a dedicated fulfilment capability to support integrated storage, picking, packing, and dispatch.

Finally, Ship Works in Paarden Eiland will be transformed into a high-quality last-mile logistics and storage facility with excellent connectivity and proximity to the harbour.

Together, these projects represent intentional, location-driven growth designed to perform from day one.

Fulfilment as the next layer of value

As supply chains shorten and customer expectations rise, fulfilment has become a core capability. Speed, accuracy, and proximity increasingly define competitive advantage.

The launch of fulfilment at Olympia Works reflects a natural evolution of the Inospace platform. Space that works should support the full operational flow of a modern business, from storage through to dispatch, while preserving flexibility in a fast-changing environment.

Character over noise

In a world saturated with messaging, it is easy to confuse activity with progress. Visibility is often mistaken for momentum.

True momentum is built quietly through consistent execution, ethical decision-making, and long-term thinking.

This principle guides our operations at Inospace. It shapes how we deploy capital, design leases, engage clients, and work together as a team.

Momentum compounds

Momentum is often misunderstood. It is not speed. It is consistency applied over time.

Small improvements compound. Better locations compound. Strong relationships compound. Aligned teams compound.

This is how Inospace has grown, and this is how we intend to continue.

Looking ahead

The Year of the Horse invites us to recommit to forward motion. Not reckless acceleration, but purposeful progress.

For our clients, it is about building businesses that can respond quickly to both risk and opportunity. For our team, it is about disciplined execution and ownership. For Inospace, it is about continuing to build a resilient platform that enables others to move faster and smarter.

We enter 2026 with confidence, clarity, and momentum. Thank you to our clients for your trust, and to our team for your commitment. We look forward to building the road ahead together through steady, disciplined progress.

Here’s to a year of growth, adaptability, and sustained success.

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