Business executives, technology specialists, and SAP partners across South Africa gathered in Johannesburg on Thursday to discuss how emerging innovations in artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and data management are transforming businesses and unlocking new opportunities for growth.
Nazia Pillay, Managing Director for SAP Southern Africa, described the current moment as a defining point for organisations in the region. “The integration of cloud, data, and AI presents an exceptional opportunity to rethink how we operate, innovate, and expand,” she stated. Pillay added that with fresh perspectives, AI-driven skills, and modern digital tools, companies can accelerate progress and usher in a new era of intelligent growth.
As digital technologies evolve, the demand for skilled professionals has become a key priority for businesses. Many firms are struggling to find workers capable of implementing and optimising AI systems. SAP’s recent research revealed that nine in ten African organisations are already feeling the strain of an AI skills shortage leading to delayed projects, failed innovation efforts, and missed business opportunities.
Genni Barnes, SAP Solution Architect at Nedbank, emphasised that this technological shift empowers companies to make faster, insight-led decisions and close the digital skills gap. “We need to build a workforce equipped with the right capabilities to fully harness these emerging technologies and create future-ready enterprises,” Barnes said.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Bonang Mohale, Chancellor of the University of the Free State, underscored that leadership will determine South Africa’s position in the digital economy. “Innovation is essential for competitiveness. As a nation, we must go beyond adopting global technologies and focus on adapting them to our unique context to generate lasting value for our people, businesses, and economy,” he asserted.
The discussions were part of SAP Business Suite Innovation Day, a global event series showcasing SAP’s latest advancements in cloud and AI-driven data solutions, such as SAP Business Data Cloud and SAP Business AI. The Johannesburg event brought together customers, partners, and innovators to share insights and strategies on embedding AI into business processes through connected data ecosystems.
Stef De Mulder, Chief Revenue Officer for SAP Business Data Cloud and SAP Business AI in EMEA, noted that modern data management is paving the way for smarter, AI-powered growth. “By connecting and governing data across the enterprise, our solutions deliver real-time, contextual insights. With AI orchestration and integration with platforms like Databricks, companies can boost efficiency, streamline operations, and accelerate the creation of intelligent applications,” he explained.
Glazelle Pohl, Group IT Manager for Solution Delivery and Product Management at ABF Sugar, added that many organisations are already leveraging these technologies to reinvent their operations. “Cloud, analytics, and AI not only enhance efficiency but also open the door to innovative, sustainable business models,” she said.
Pillay concluded that SAP’s “clean core” strategy remains central to enabling agility and innovation. “Simplifying enterprise systems ensures that companies can adopt new solutions quickly and without disruption, allowing cloud, AI, and data technologies to reach their full potential,” she remarked.
