Digital business will be a central feature of SA's growth trajectory. It could drive inclusion and employment growth, or it could deepen inequality and unemployment. It all depends on the approach taken, says Dr Miriam Altman, head of strategy at Telkom.
The market for digital products will stay small if it is limited to higher-income consumers and corporates, she notes. "We need to find innovative solutions that expand demand for digital services to a wider market, in South Africa and the region."
Altman will discuss the context for growing digital business at the ITWeb Digital Economy Summit 2015, on 21 April at The Forum in Bryanston.
Joining Altman at the event is Alon Lits, GM of Uber Johannesburg and Durban, who will share a practical experience about how Uber "broke" the taxi industry.
In his presentation, Lits will dive into the opportunities and threats presented by the digital economy and how Uber got to where it is.
All industries offer both opportunities and threats, says Lits. "We saw an opportunity to change the way cities move using technology. We believe that technology and the rise of the sharing economy enhances people's lives, and these values are at the heart of the Uber platform," he explains.
Yet companies must put processes in place to ensure the threat of risks materialising is minimised, he warns.
Lits shares Uber's response to counteracting certain threats: "Uber's cashless system means that users make payment using credit/cheque cards; every effort is taken to ensure that credit card details are stored safely and that fraud checks are in place. Data is integral to the Uber platform, and we employ the highest standards when it comes to data protection to ensure this data is stored safely and securely.
Click here to find out more and register to attend.
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