Should a South African startup use artificial intelligence (AI) to solve a problem close to home, or build for global customers from day one?
That is one of the questions heading to the stage at the inaugural South African AI Awards on Friday, 13 November.
The ceremony takes place at The Galleria in Sandton, with NTT DATA as presenting partner. The awards recognise South African AI work across 25 categories, including healthcare and education.
The organisers have also announced two discussions that will look at what it takes to build AI businesses in Africa and where South Africa stands with the technology.
Building AI businesses in Africa
Google South Africa country director Kabelo Makwane will moderate a panel titled “Building African Businesses in the Age of AI”.
Among the panellists are Sparc Innovation CEO and AI adoption specialist Callan Abrahams and World Wide Worx founder Arthur Goldstuck.
The discussion will look at how local knowledge gives African founders an advantage when developing AI products. It will also examine what happens when investors want companies to grow faster than their customers are ready for.
There is a practical question behind that: can a company build something useful for the people around it and still develop a product that competes internationally?
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Taking stock of AI in South Africa
A separate conversation, titled “The State of AI”, will feature FNB Chief Data and Analytics Officer Dr Mark Nasila alongside Mic Mann, Co-CEO of Singularity South Africa.
The organisers say the discussion will explore the future of artificial intelligence and its impact on South Africa.
The awards were officially launched at the Singularity South Africa Summit in October, where chairperson Atenkosi Ngubevana discussed what the nominations revealed about the maturity of local AI adoption.
Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi is also confirmed to deliver the keynote address. Naspers South Africa CEO Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa will attend as a special guest speaker.
News anchor and broadcaster Thembekile Mrototo will host the gala, which is being held under the theme “Inclusive Socio-Economic Prosperity”.
The discussions promise an interesting look at where South Africa stands with AI, and what it will take for local businesses to compete on a global stage. We look forward to hearing what the panellists have to say.
Disclosure: TechNation News is an official media partner of the South African AI Awards.
Sources
[1] South African AI Awards. “Building African Businesses in the Age of AI.” LinkedIn, n.d.
[2] Durden, Kayde. “SA’s tech elite set for inaugural South African AI Awards in November.” TechNation News, Oct. 21, 2026.
[3] South African AI Awards. “The State of AI.” LinkedIn, n.d.
[4] South African AI Awards. “The future of AI is here!” LinkedIn, n.d.
