The South African Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will fund a partnership deal that will provide high-speed satellite broadband to over 1 000 small and medium enterprises across South Africa.
The project will bring together international satellite data communications services company Avanti Communications, South Africa's business chamber, the Foundation for African Business and Consumer Services (FABCOS), and its business incubator programme, Microtelco e-ncubator.
The programme will be deployed to businesses setting up in some of the remotest parts of South Africa, reaching a number of key sectors, including retail, finance and agriculture.
Avanti chief executive David Williams says the project shows no one in South Africa needs to wait for tomorrow to get connected.
"Working hand-in-hand with FABCOS, its incubator and the South African government, this contract will deliver vital connectivity and training to the hundreds of businesses for whom broadband will power growth," says Williams.
Government says the delivery of resilient broadband connectivity underpins its business growth strategy.
According to a research paper written by Joshua Abor of the University of Ghana Business School and Peter Quartey of the University of Ghana, 91% of the entities in SA are SMEs, and of these, between 52-57% contribute to the country's GDP.
FABCOS's Microtelco e-ncubator programme specifically nurtures small telecommunications companies and says connectivity has become a vital part of day to day operations for SMEs. FABCOS national treasurer general, Alan Campbell, says access to broadband has become an integral part of the company's incubation offering to its members.
"Access to broadband has become as important as any other utility for businesses here to succeed. A huge opportunity exists for connected enterprises in Africa, and we are excited for what lies ahead with this significant satellite partnership," he comments.
Share