SEACOM, Africa’s leading provider of digital infrastructure and managed services, today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with South Africa’s ICT SMME Chamber to explore collaborative efforts aimed at empowering small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) within the telecommunications sector. This strategic partnership not only aligns with the Chamber’s mission to grow and transform the digital economy through inclusive participation but also underscores the critical role of SMMEs in driving economic growth and job creation in South Africa.
The signing ceremony, held at SEACOM’s offices in Bryanston, Johannesburg, brought together key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, highlighting the significance of this initiative in shaping the future of South Africa’s digital economy.
Under the terms of the MoU, SEACOM and the ICT SMME Chamber will work together to foster the growth and development of SMMEs by providing them with access to SEACOM’s channel partner programme. This collaboration will support the installation, maintenance, and support of digital infrastructure, alongside facilitating marketing initiatives, inter-business coordination, and training for personnel.
“By leveraging the synergies between SEACOM and the ICT SMME Chamber, we can significantly enhance the capabilities of small enterprises, which are the backbone of South Africa’s economy and the broader business landscape. This partnership will enable these enterprises to tap into strategic opportunities, particularly within the public sector, while contributing to the creation of a fully digitised, inclusive, and equitable nation,” said Wandile Gumede, Head of Public Sector Accounts at SEACOM.
The ICT SMME Chamber, established to represent and advocate for small businesses in the ICT sector, aims to safeguard the interests of SMMEs while fostering collaboration across sectors to drive economic growth, business development, and job creation. Members of the Chamber benefit from enterprise supplier development (ESD) programmes, networking opportunities, access to research, and direct engagement with both government and private entities for advocacy and funding purposes.
“South Africa’s ICT sector is not only integral to the daily lives of our citizens but also presents immense potential for small enterprises seeking to innovate and contribute to national digital transformation. Many promising ideas are lost due to a lack of coordination of SMME development programs and access to essential support and funding to ensure meaningful impact. We believe that SMME development is essential to sustained, inclusive economic growth and job creation in South Africa. The ICT SMME Chamber welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with SEACOM to make meaningful progress in empowering local entrepreneurs and businesses,” said Loyiso Tyira, Managing Director at the ICT SMME Chamber.
The MoU outlines SEACOM’s commitment to incubating qualifying SMME’s by providing them with access to its Digital service offerings, including Cloud, Connectivity, On-premise network, and Cybersecurity solutions. This will enable selected SMMEs to accelerate their digital strategies, enhance operational efficiency, and leverage cutting-edge ICT technologies.
“SEACOM has long recognised the critical role of SMMEs in driving economic participation and job creation in South Africa. This MoU represents our ongoing commitment to providing the necessary support for SMMEs in the telecoms sector to realise their full potential and become leaders in this crucial industry,” Kim Sacree, SEACOM South Africa Managing Director, concluded.
