SEACOM and SENTECH ignite SMME digital growth

SEACOM, Africa’s leading digital infrastructure and services provider, and SENTECH, a prominent broadcast and digital services company, have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate the growth of small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) within South Africa’s telecommunications sector

The agreement, finalised at SEACOM’s Johannesburg offices on 29 September 2025, sets out a 12-month collaboration to enhance the role of SMMEs in the country’s digital economy. The partnership acknowledges the critical contribution of SMMEs in driving economic growth, creating employment, and shaping South Africa’s digital future.

Building digital inclusion through partnership

SEACOM and SENTECH aim to strengthen the SMME ecosystem by providing mentorship, training, funding, and access to shared innovation platforms, thereby promoting digital inclusion.

Key focus areas include:

• SMME empowerment and inclusion – Targeted enterprise development programmes, improved infrastructure access, personalised mentorship, and public events will support and showcase SMME innovations.

• Infrastructure expansion – Leveraging SEACOM’s fibre network and SENTECH’s service reach, SMMEs will gain opportunities in rural and underserved areas, expanding market access.

• Skills development – SMMEs will receive practical training in fibre, cloud, and broadcasting technologies, participate in internships, and access resources to boost digital literacy, particularly in townships.

• Content and cloud services – Affordable hosting, hybrid content delivery, and digital migration support will enable SMMEs and local creators to launch new digital offerings.

• Public sector collaboration – SMMEs can join larger ICT projects, engage in policy advocacy, and access research insights to leverage technologies like 5G, IoT, and AI.

SMMEs remain vital to South Africa’s economy, representing around 91% of formal businesses, contributing 34% to GDP, and employing 60% of the workforce. Despite their importance, SMMEs face challenges such as high infrastructure costs, skills gaps, and regulatory barriers.

Anton Jooste, SEACOM managing director for digital services (South Africa), commented, "We are building a foundation for an inclusive and digital nation. By combining our strengths, this partnership directly addresses SMME challenges and enables broader participation in South Africa's digital economy, positioning SMMEs at the heart of national growth."

"This strategic partnership aligns with SEACOM's mission to transform the digital economy through inclusive participation and underscores the critical role of SMMEs in driving growth and job creation in South Africa," remarked Jooste

SEACOM’s Legacy of Digital Leadership

Since launching Africa’s first submarine cable on the east coast in 2009, SEACOM has revolutionised digital connectivity across the continent. By reducing the cost of international bandwidth, it enabled South Africa’s first uncapped broadband products, fostering the growth of cloud services, fintech platforms, and digital innovation ecosystems.

Today, SEACOM continues to lead Africa’s digital transformation with high-capacity connectivity linking the continent to Europe and Asia, serving enterprises, ISPs, mobile operators, and governments, reinforcing its role as a catalyst for economic growth and digital inclusion.