Information and communication technology (ICT) market in South Africa

South Africa is Africa’s most sophisticated, advanced and diversified economy.

With a GDP of CAD $551.78 billion in 2022 (IMF, April 2023 estimate), South Africa’s economy is currently the second largest in Africa and accounts for roughly 14% of the continent’s GDP.

South Africa has one of the largest information and communications technology (ICT) markets in Africa and remains Canada’s most significant African destination for ICT-related goods and services. South Africa has a highly sophisticated and technologically advanced banking ecosystem.

Key opportunities for Canadian ICT companies in South Africa

• Equipment & services to support broadband infrastructure roll-out, especially to under-serviced areas.
• Poor power supply = high demand for off grid power solutions to support telecom infrastructure.
• Reduced revenue from traditional voice has opened the door for over-the-top (OTT) services.
• High rate of cyberattacks on SA has led corporates to seek cybersecurity solutions.
• Financial institutions are seeking FinTech solutions, including mobile money, payment and KYC/AML.
• Corporates/manufacturers are seeking AI & IoT solutions as they embark on digitalization.
• The South African private healthcare system is world class and they are actively looking for health tech solutions.

Notable challenges for Canadian ICT companies in South Africa

• Continued electricity supply constraints. This has resulted in planned rolling blackouts throughout the country known as loadshedding.
• South Africa was Grey Listed by FATF in March 2023.
• High electricity cost in SA.
• Restrictive regulatory environment.
• Mobile market saturation.
• High cost of mobile connectivity/broadband.
• Poor ICT infrastructure outside of major urban centres.
• Skills shortage within the ICT sector.

South Africa business landscape

The South African Presidential Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution released its report in October 2020. Priority subsectors as identified by the Commission include Artificial Intelligence, Broadband, Internet of Things (IoT), Cybersecurity and FinTech.

Accenture has predicted that digital industries can generate more than CAD $544 billion in value for industry & society over the next decade through the use of digital technologies in key industry sectors such as agriculture, public infrastructure & administration, financial services & manufacturing.

COVID-19 had seen companies rapidly speed up their digitalization processes. Manufacturers and industrial companies are looking for increased automation and solutions to reduce costs.

Business-to-consumer (B2C) organisations such as banks, multinational organizations (MNOs), retailers etc. are looking for innovative solutions to give them a competitive advantage. This has led to an increased appetite for AI, IoT, Cybersecurity and FinTech solutions.

Summary

South Africa is an attractive market for ICT, CleanTech and Digital Industries companies. Given its physical and economic conditions, the ICT and Digital Industries markets in South Africa are ideal for alternate power suppliers, FinTech, AI, IoT, cybersecurity, RetailTech and telco infrastructure solutions.

For more information on ICT and Digital Industries in the South African market, please contact jobrg@international.gc.ca.