LEADING African business and technology experts gathered in Johannesburg for the SAP Now conference to strategise on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and technology to accelerate growth and foster innovation across the continent. The event, attended by over 300 leaders from Africa and Europe, underscored the role of advanced technologies in Africa’s economic development.
Speaking at the event, Eskom Chairman Mteto Nyati highlighted the positive economic shifts underway in South Africa, citing improvements in political and infrastructural stability. He noted that these factors could attract foreign investment and strengthen local business confidence. ‘Now is the time to look at where your business needs to be in the next three to five years,’ Nyati advised, urging leaders to harness technological transformation for long-term success.
Economic outlook and infrastructure opportunities
Zeph Nhleko, Chief Economist at the Development Bank of Southern Africa, discussed Africa’s economic landscape, particularly the continent’s infrastructure needs. ‘Developing infrastructure is a critical avenue for economic growth in Africa,’ Nhleko stated. He emphasised the importance of public-private partnerships, with companies like SAP helping bridge connectivity gaps crucial to Africa’s future.
Johannes Dressler, Chief Business Officer for SAP MEA South, highlighted AI’s growing role in helping businesses adapt to complex market demands and rising stakeholder expectations. ‘Technologies like AI, integrated with core business functions, are enabling leaders to make decisions with greater precision and resilience,’ Dressler explained, noting that SAP’s AI solutions offer organisations faster insights and enhanced efficiency.
Global survey highlights AI adoption trends
A recent survey of 2,000 global companies found that nearly all respondents (96 percent) are exploring or implementing AI, with 40 percent using AI in specific functions, and 17 percent committed to organisation-wide AI adoption. AI was cited as a critical differentiator for companies evaluating systems integrators, emphasising its strategic importance in modern business.
SAP also unveiled new innovations at the event, including its Joule AI copilot for SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud Edition, which accelerates decision-making and improves productivity. According to Dressler, SAP’s AI tools deliver notable gains, such as a 95 percent reduction in informational search time and a 50 percent cut in campaign creation costs.
Partner ecosystem boosts AI adoption in Africa
The conference, held in partnership with the Africa SAP User Group (AFSUG) and key partners including Microsoft, highlighted the importance of collaboration in driving Africa’s digital transformation. SAP Southern Africa Managing Director Kholiwe Makhohliso pointed to the benefits of AI adoption for African organisations, from improved insights to enhanced productivity. ‘The groundwork for human-AI collaboration is being laid, unlocking new revenue streams and advancing business outcomes,’ she remarked.
Ravi Bhat, Chief Technology & Solutions Officer for Microsoft Africa, echoed the value of partnerships, noting a 30-year collaboration with SAP. ‘Together, we are supporting African enterprises with intelligent cloud solutions and AI capabilities, empowering them on their journey to digital transformation,’ Bhat said, underlining the role of combined expertise in fostering innovation across the continent.
As African organisations accelerate their adoption of AI, SAP and its partners are set to play a pivotal role in helping the continent unlock technology’s potential for economic growth and sustainable development.
