This year’s Huawei Connect opened with a keynote from Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi.
He thanked Huawei for “always stepping up when I’ve called on them to support our efforts to expand access to smart devices.”
Huawei South Africa Connect keynote
Malatsi’s message was structured and direct: South Africa’s digital economy is gaining momentum, sure, but it needs to move faster and reach further.
Our digital future can’t be built by bandwidth alone.
Most importantly, it must work for everyone. He said South Africa’s digital revolution must be the foundation for equality, not a new dividing line.
‘AI is everywhere’
Malatsi says artificial intelligence is now impacting everyone in South Africa, “every person, home, and industry.”
But how do we get AI to help everyone, and not just the connected few?
Some of the examples he mentioned of achieving this include rural clinics now offering virtual consultations or township entrepreneurs taking their products to a global market.
“We need more of this,” he adds. “To scale it up to reach as many South Africans as possible.
“There remain too many schools without basic digital tools, homes without internet, and communities without the digital skills to thrive in the digital economy.”
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SA’s digital inclusion strategy
How does South Africa achieve digital inclusion, then?
The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) will focus on four key priorities.
1. Expanding connectivity
The DCDT is aiming for 100% connectivity in South Africa by 2029.
The SA Connect Phase 2 expands broadband access to schools, clinics and libraries in underserved areas.
“This includes concluding the Broadcast Digital Migration process to free up spectrum, expanding 5G infrastructure, and modernising public facilities with open-access fibre.”
2. Building digital skills
The DCDT’s goal is to equip 70% of SA’s population with basic digital literacy within the next four years.
How? Through early integration in the education system and targeted training for job seekers, public servants, and vulnerable groups.
“These efforts target not only students, but also workers in transition and vulnerable groups such as women and persons with disabilities to ensure that no one is left behind.”
3. Using tech productively
Malatsi says connectivity must “translate into real opportunities.”
In other words: “using the internet not just for entertainment but a tool to access government services, run businesses online, reach new markets and connect with job opportunities.”
4. Inclusion and investment
The last step, but by no means least, is to make South Africa “the most attractive destination for ICT investment on the continent.”
This can be achieved through policy and regulatory reform.
In short, a full review of South Africa’s legislative environment, so it supports “innovation, competition, and investment.”
What is the real-life impact?
Malatsi also mentioned the Digital Transformation Roadmap. Phase 2 was launched in May 2025. It includes:
- A secure data exchange layer across departments.
- Real-time payment systems to speed up transactions.
- A digital ID system to allow remote citizen verification.
- A zero-rated single portal for accessing government services.
This system would eliminate unnecessary travel, long queues, and delays in basic public services.
For example, job seekers wouldn’t need to spend money on taxis to drop off CVs, and small businesses wouldn’t be stuck waiting for government payments.
“Digital inclusion means nothing without the ability to use those technologies meaningfully.”
Huawei’s role in the bigger picture
Malatsi says government placed “inclusive growth at the heart of our agenda,” with the goal to build a state that “enables, rather than obstructs progress.”
He also acknowledged Huawei’s support for various South African initiatives, especially its ongoing partnerships with government departments and contributions to infrastructure expansion.
These contributions include smart city solutions like AI and IoT, as well as e-gov initiatives, skills development, and transforming transportation, education, healthcare, and energy sectors.
Malatsi says it’s vital for “government, industry, innovators and civil society to align efforts, leverage resources, and deliver tangible solutions.”
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