Embraer Strengthens Southern Africa Focus with Leandro Pienaar Appointment

Embraer has taken another deliberate step in deepening its engagement with the African defence and aerospace market, announcing the appointment of Leandro Marc Pienaar as Business Development Director for the Southern Africa region. The move signals the Brazilian aerospace manufacturer’s intent to sharpen its regional footprint, build closer partnerships with governments and industry, and position its defence portfolio more prominently in a part of the world where airlift, border security and humanitarian response capabilities are increasingly in demand.

Based in Pretoria, Pienaar will lead Embraer Defense & Security’s business development activities across Southern Africa. His brief includes promoting the KC-390 Millennium multi-mission transport aircraft, the A-29 Super Tucano light attack and advanced trainer, and Embraer’s wider portfolio of defence products and solutions. The appointment comes at a time when several African air forces are reviewing fleet renewal strategies, balancing constrained budgets against growing operational requirements ranging from peacekeeping deployments to disaster relief and maritime surveillance.

For Embraer, Southern Africa represents both a strategic market and a gateway to the broader continent. The KC-390 Millennium, already gaining traction with air forces in Europe, Latin America and Asia, has been pitched as a modern, cost-effective alternative to legacy medium airlifters. Its ability to perform a wide spectrum of missions, from tactical transport and aerial refuelling to medical evacuation and humanitarian aid, aligns well with the multi-role demands placed on African air arms. Similarly, the A-29 Super Tucano has built a global reputation as a rugged, affordable platform suited to pilot training, border patrol and light attack missions, roles that remain highly relevant in the region.

Embraer says the appointment reflects a long-term strategic vision for Southern Africa, not merely a sales push. The company has consistently emphasised industrial cooperation, skills development and local partnerships as part of its defence offerings. In markets where procurement decisions are increasingly tied to broader economic development goals, the ability to demonstrate meaningful local participation can be as important as aircraft performance figures. By strengthening its in-region leadership, Embraer is clearly aiming to be seen as a partner of choice rather than a distant supplier.

Pienaar brings a blend of technical grounding and commercial experience to the role. A graduate in mechanical engineering from the University of Pretoria, he has spent several years as Head of Business Development for Africa at Milkor (Pty) Ltd, one of South Africa’s most prominent defence and aerospace firms. During his tenure at Milkor, he was involved in negotiating and supporting multi-million-dollar defence contracts across the continent, gaining first-hand exposure to the complexities of African defence procurement, offset structures and long-term sustainment considerations. In a market where relationships, credibility and an understanding of local operating environments matter, that experience is likely to prove invaluable.

Beyond the boardroom, Pienaar is also an aviation enthusiast and a licensed private pilot, a detail that may seem incidental but often resonates in an industry where credibility is enhanced by practical appreciation of the operational environment. Understanding the realities faced by aircrew and maintainers on the flight line can add a useful layer of perspective when discussing capability requirements with military customers.

The timing of the appointment is also noteworthy. Across Southern Africa, air forces are grappling with ageing fleets, rising maintenance costs and the challenge of maintaining readiness with limited resources. At the same time, the region faces a diverse set of security and humanitarian challenges, from peace support operations and anti-poaching missions to disaster response following floods, cyclones and wildfires. Aircraft that can switch roles quickly and operate from austere environments are therefore increasingly attractive. Embraer’s defence portfolio is designed to speak directly to these needs, and the company appears keen to ensure that its message is delivered by someone with deep regional insight.

From a broader industry perspective, Embraer’s move underlines the growing importance of Africa in the global defence aerospace landscape. While procurement volumes may not match those of Europe or Asia, the long-term potential is significant, particularly as governments seek to modernise capabilities and invest in local industrial capacity. Embraer’s emphasis on collaboration with Southern African countries and industry partners suggests a recognition that future success in the region will be built as much on partnerships and capability building as on aircraft sales.

As Pienaar takes up his new post, the real test will lie in translating strategic intent into tangible outcomes, whether in the form of new aircraft programmes, deeper industrial cooperation or enhanced support frameworks for existing Embraer operators on the continent. What is clear, however, is that Embraer is positioning itself for the long game in Southern Africa and this latest appointment is a signal that the company is serious about being part of the region’s aviation and defence story for years to come.