South Africa is on a mission to train one million people in cutting-edge tech fields such as robotics, coding, and artificial intelligence by 2030. This ambitious initiative is not just about job creation. It’s about empowering individuals with the skills needed to drive innovation and economic growth, which will help reshape communities and uplift the country.
By investing in this digital transformation, South Africa aims to lift millions out of poverty and foster a new generation of tech-savvy professionals who can make meaningful contributions to the country’s progress. The government sees this shift as essential for economic growth, and top tech companies within the country have embraced the challenge, working to make this vision a reality.
To get a better sense of who is leading the charge in this effort, here are some of the top tech companies in South Africa you should know about.
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Everlytic
Everlytic began as a small startup in a garage and, over the past 20 years, has grown into a prominent company with a branch in the UK. The tech company specializes in developing software designed to send bulk email and SMS campaigns, manage creatives, handle customer data, and orchestrate marketing automation.
By doing all these with a user-friendly interface and competitive pricing, they position themselves as a strong contender against established marketing leaders like Brevo, MailChimp, Hubspot, and Omnisend. In fact, from their case studies and testimonials, one call tells that they have done their homework and are keeping to their end of the bargain. Their customer feedback shows evidence of their high level of customer service, which shows that they are user-friendly and customer-inclined.
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Sybrin
Sybrin is a South African-grown tech company that has developed cutting-edge tech solutions that serve clients globally in more than 15 nations. The company takes a consultative approach with its clients by working closely with them to understand their needs. This helps them design, advise on, and support the implementation of tailored solutions.Their solutions cut across four key areas:
- Digitization.
- Payments and Clearing.
- Fraud and Risk Management.
- Identity and Onboarding.
What sets Sybrin apart is its ability to integrate these functions into a seamless solution that caters to a client’s unique requirements. For instance, banks may need digital signatures (digitization), payment processing (payments and clearing), identity verification (identity and onboarding), and fraud protection (fraud and risk management). By catering to all these needs, Sybrin acts as a one-stop shop for tech solutions, making sure that each solution integrates with the other.
Sybrin is also known to always prioritize security and compliance. Its Biometric Authenticator, for example, complies with ISO/IEC 30107-3 regulations. This high level of compliance is standard for any feature handling sensitive data, ensuring robust cybersecurity measures are always in place.
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Naked
Naked is an insurance company that uses technology to make getting insurance policies easier for its customers. Unlike traditional insurance companies, it doesn’t rely on brokers or call centers to sell and manage insurance policies. Instead, Naked uses artificial intelligence (AI) to handle most of the work. This means that the company can offer different types of insurance, such as car or home insurance, through a simple app. This minimizes operating costs and paperwork.
The Naked mobile app is user-friendly and simple, enabling customers to sign up for insurance entirely on their own. Customers can get quotes, buy policies, or make claims quickly and easily without needing to speak to a broker. This AI-driven approach helps Naked run more efficiently while still providing the insurance coverage people need.
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Kena Health
Kena Health is on a mission to ease the health challenges faced by many South Africans. According to WHO data, the average life expectancy in South Africa is 65 years, eight years below the global average of 73. Sadly, many of these deaths are preventable because conditions like HIV/AIDS, diarrhea, and tuberculosis, which can be managed with the right medication, remain the leading cause of death.
Kena Health is dedicated to addressing these issues and reducing this preventable suffering. Leveraging modern technology, the tech company has developed an app that connects patients with healthcare professionals, offering consultations via text, phone, or video call. Each consultation costs R185, which can be a little expensive, considering the minimum wage is R25.42 per hour. However, in a country where the public healthcare system is overburdened, and the majority of people lack private insurance, it provides an accessible alternative for many.
Kena Health also partners with businesses to provide its services as part of employee health benefits through Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs). The company’s positive impact hasn’t gone unnoticed, as it has attracted support from both public and private investors. Notably, they recently secured $2 million in private funding from Next176.
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Jumo
Jumo is a mobile financial services platform that works with mobile network operators and banks to provide accessible financial solutions. The tech company was founded in Cape Town in 2015, and it currently employs over 250 people across seven countries, including the UK and several other African nations.
Jumo takes pride in building infrastructure that enables banks, credit companies, and government institutions to provide seamless access to credit for individuals, startups, and medium-sized businesses. They do this by utilizing machine learning and artificial intelligence to assess the risks associated with lending more accurately.
Today, over 20 million South Africans, or roughly one-third of the population, own a smartphone, and many of them access the internet through these devices. This is why mobile accessibility is crucial for businesses, especially in the banking industry, where it presents a tremendous opportunity to reach more customers at significantly lower costs. Jumo plays a critical role in making mobile banking more accessible; it helps reduce costs and widen access to credit, ultimately benefiting both businesses and individuals.
Read Also: Top 10 Fintech Companies in Africa
Conclusion
The South African tech industry is quickly becoming a major force in driving economic growth and innovation. Tech companies like Everlytic, Sybrin, Naked, Kena Health, and Jumo are leading the way in this effort. They’re revolutionizing the tech industry with new developments and innovations in marketing, financial services, healthcare, and more.
As the country continues to prioritize tech education and innovation, these homegrown businesses are showing how local solutions can tackle global challenges. Their success so far is indeed a stepping stone to building an economy that looks out for its people.
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