SEACOM and SENTECH partner to "turbocharge" tech SMMEs in South Africa

JOHANNESBURG, 03 OCTOBER 2025 – SEACOM, Africa's pioneering digital infrastructure and digital services provider, and SENTECH, a leader in broadcast and digital services, have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate the growth of small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa's telecommunications sector.

The agreement, signed at SEACOM's Johannesburg offices on 29 September 2025, outlines a 12-month collaboration aimed at advancing the contributions of SMMEs to South Africa's digital economy through targeted support. The partnership also recognises the vital role of SMMEs in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and shaping South Africa's digital future.

Building digital inclusion through partnership

SEACOM and SENTECH will join forces to strengthen the SMME ecosystem by providing mentorship, training, funding, and access to shared innovation platforms, thereby building digital inclusion.

Key focus areas include:

SMME empowerment and inclusion – SMMEs will benefit from targeted enterprise development programmes, improved access to essential infrastructure, personalised mentorship, and public events that showcase and promote their innovative solutions.
Infrastructure expansion – By merging SEACOM's extensive fibre infrastructure with SENTECH's broader service reach, SMMEs will have greater business opportunities in rural and underserved regions, creating more chances for market entry and growth.
Skills development – SMMEs will gain hands-on training in advanced technologies such as fibre, cloud, and broadcasting, participate in practical internship exchanges, and access educational resources aimed at increasing digital literacy, particularly in townships.
Content and Cloud services – SMMEs and local content creators will have access to affordable hosting solutions, enhanced hybrid content delivery options, and targeted support in digital migration, making it easier for them to offer new digital services.
Public sector collaboration – SMMEs can participate in larger joint ICT projects, benefit from coordinated policy advocacy, and gain insights from research, enabling them to better understand and leverage new technologies such as 5G, IoT, and AI.

Flenk Mnisi: Acting Chief Operating Officer (SENTECH) and Anton Jooste: MD Digital Services, South Africa (SEACOM)

SMMEs are the unsung heroes of the South African economy

SMMEs form approximately 91% of formal businesses, contribute 34% to GDP, and employ 60% of the workforce in South Africa. Despite this, they continue to face barriers, including high infrastructure costs, skills gaps, and regulatory hurdles.

SEACOM MD for Digital Services (South Africa), Anton Jooste, comments on the agreement by saying: "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," Jooste adds.

SEACOM's legacy of digital leadership

Since launching Africa's first submarine cable on the east coast in 2009, SEACOM has transformed digital connectivity across the continent. By lowering the cost of international bandwidth, SEACOM enabled the introduction of the first uncapped broadband products in South Africa, sparking the growth of cloud services, fintech platforms, and digital innovation ecosystems.

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

ENDS
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EDITORS' NOTES:

Caption for cover photo:
Back Row - Andrew Matseke: Councillor (ICASA), Marius Venter: Chief Commercial Officer: Broadband (SENTECH), Flenk Mnisi: Acting Chief Operating Officer (SENTECH), Anton Jooste: MD Digital Services, South Africa (SEACOM) and Clayton Codd: General Manager, Sales (SEACOM)
Front Row - Siphokazi Simandla: Board Member (ICT SMME Chamber) and Nomahlubi Ogoh: CIO (SENTECH)