5 months ago
65
In the face of economic headwinds and unpredictability, SAP in Africa is empowering businesses to shift from stagnation to innovation-driven growth.
At the recent SAP Innovation Day in Johannesburg, technology and business leaders gathered to discuss how African enterprises can leverage cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing to optimize processes, gain valuable insights, and stay ahead of the competition.
The global AI market is expected to soar from $184 billion in 2024 to an impressive $826 billion by 2030, and African enterprises are increasingly recognizing the transformative potential of this technology. SAP Southern Africa Managing Director Kholiwe Makhohliso emphasizes that by investing in continuous innovation through AI and cloud, organizations can drive sustainable business growth and build a competitive edge despite economic challenges.
Bertrin Pekeur, SAP Business Group Lead at Accenture, notes that the rapid adoption of AI in Africa is creating unprecedented opportunities in digital literacy, product creation, service improvements, and productivity gains. This technology-driven transformation is helping African businesses revolutionize their operations, employee interactions, and customer engagement.
Thabiso Hlatshwayo, Senior Manager of Solution Consulting at OpenText Africa, adds that innovation through AI is leveling the playing field for African enterprises, allowing them to compete globally. From agriculture to healthcare, AI-driven solutions are not only addressing Africa-specific challenges but also developing exportable solutions for the rest of the world.
The Vital Role of Cloud and Clean Core in Maximizing AI Benefits
To unlock the full benefits of AI investments, SAP in Africa emphasizes the importance of digital transformation and cloud adoption. Makhohliso explains that organizations with improved and automated business processes in the cloud, coupled with a clean core, can easily access a single source of truth for their business data. This enhances the value generated from AI deployments by ensuring outcomes are based on accurate, real-time information from across the enterprise.
SAP customers, particularly those leveraging SAP S/4HANA Cloud integrated with the Business Technology Platform, have a strong foundation for AI-driven innovation. By following global best practices and tapping into the expertise of SAP’s partner ecosystem, African enterprises can accelerate their AI-driven efficiency and automation gains while unlocking new capabilities to support long-term success.
How SAP Supports Enterprises in Africa
SAP, a global leader in enterprise software, has been actively supporting African businesses in their digital transformation journeys. Through its innovative solutions and strong partner network, SAP in Africa also aims to empower organizations to overcome economic challenges and drive sustainable growth.
The SAP Innovation Day, held in Johannesburg, brought together technology and business leaders to discuss the role of innovation in navigating economic uncertainty. With a focus on AI and cloud technologies, the event highlighted the transformative potential of these technologies in driving efficiency, automation, and competitive advantage.
As African enterprises navigate economic headwinds and unpredictability, SAP in Africa stands ready to support their innovation-driven growth. By harnessing the power of AI and cloud technologies, businesses can optimize processes, gain valuable insights, and unlock new capabilities to compete on the global stage. With the expertise of SAP and its partner ecosystem, African organizations will be able to embrace innovation and build a foundation for long-term success in the face of economic challenges.
