Seacom, a subsea cable operator and managed connectivity service provider, has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sentech, a provider of broadcast and digital services, aiming to enhance the growth of small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) within South Africa’s telecommunications sector.
This agreement, formalised on September 29 and recently made public, will see Seacom and Sentech collaborate over the coming year to strengthen the SMME ecosystem. Their efforts will focus on providing mentorship, training, funding, and access to innovative platforms, ultimately fostering greater digital inclusion.
The initiative promises practical training in various technologies, including fibre optics, cloud services, and broadcasting, alongside internship opportunities and educational resources designed to boost digital literacy, particularly in township areas.
Additionally, SMMEs and local content creators will benefit from affordable hosting solutions, improved hybrid content delivery options, and targeted assistance for digital migration.
Anton Jooste, Managing Director for Digital Services in South Africa at Seacom, emphasised that the combination of their extensive fibre infrastructure and Sentech’s wide-ranging service capabilities will open up new business opportunities for SMMEs in rural and underserved regions, facilitating entry into the market and promoting growth.
“By uniting our strengths, this partnership directly addresses the challenges faced by SMMEs and fosters broader engagement in South Africa’s digital economy, placing SMMEs at the centre of national development,” Jooste stated.
