In a call-to-action, South Africa’s Communications and Digital Technologies Minister, Solly Malatsi, urges the nation to seize the moment and embrace artificial intelligence (AI) with urgency and enthusiasm. His remarks follow a recent study projecting the local AI market to soar to almost $400,000 by 2025.
Malatsi expressed his excitement at the growing interest in AI across South Africa, highlighting the ambition and readiness of South Africans to take the lead in transitioning toward an AI-driven economy. “The appetite for knowledge we see nationwide speaks volumes about our people’s determination,” he shared at the 26th Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (Satnac).
Research has discovered that 60% of South African workers use generative AI tools, positioning the country as a leader in the South African region, ranking it 52nd globally in the 2024 Global Start-Up Ecosystem Report.
Mmaki Jantjies, chairperson of Satnac and Telkom SA’s group executive of innovation and transformation, emphasized the importance of events like Satnac. “As AI reshapes our world, conferences like this are crucial for gaining insights into trends and research that impact South Africa and the global community,” Jantjies remarked.
The focus is on collaboration and knowledge-sharing to cultivate local talent. Satnac aims to empower participants to harness AI’s transformative potential, paving the way for a hyperconnected future filled with opportunities.
In April, the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies released a draft national AI plan, laying out a vision for integrating AI across various sectors while fostering innovation within a supportive regulatory framework.
“We’re not just sitting on the sidelines during this global AI revolution; we are actively contributing to it,” Malatsi stated emphatically.
As he prepares to become the incoming president of the G20—a forum that tackles pressing global economic issues—Malatsi sees a chance to promote digital inclusion internationally. “I aim to build on the successes of previous presidencies to close the digital gaps, advocate for equality, and foster sustainable development that enhances people’s lives,” he concluded.
