Back to opportunities
DocumentClosedcommittee question

(1) What (a) policies and (b) incentives are currently in place to encourage investment in the local information and communications technology (ICT) manufacturing and innovation sector; (2) how is his department supporting (a) start-ups and

Official source

Source domain: pmg.org.za

Collected on 17 June 2026

Always confirm details on the official source before acting.

What this means

The document presents a parliamentary question to the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies (NW6842) and its reply. It states that the department is revising the Digital Economy Master Plan to stimulate investment in ICT manufacturing and innovation, and notes there is no formalised financial incentive programme yet. It describes SMME and start-up support through the DigiTech Programme and the Rapid Deployment Coordination Centre (RDCC), including efforts to improve market visibility, participate in platforms, capacity building, and assistance with infrastructure access.

What this document offers

Read out of this document by Govermate's AI, in its own words. Each one quotes the line it came from — confirm on the official source before acting.

Infrastructure access and approvals facilitationOngoing

Rapid Deployment Coordination Centre (RDCC) support for infrastructure access and wayleave approvals

The RDCC assists SMMEs by identifying high sites, facilitating access to municipal infrastructure (such as water towers and lamp posts), and expediting wayleave approvals through engagement with relevant municipalities.

Who it is for
SMMEs facing physical infrastructure barriers to participate in the digital economy
How to act on it
Request/receive RDCC assistance for site identification, access to municipal infrastructure, and wayleave approvals via engagement with relevant municipalities.
Show the line this came from
Rapid Deployment Coordination Centre (RDCC): To address physical infrastructure barriers, the RDCC assists SMMEs by identifying high sites, facilitating access to municipal infrastructure (such as water towers and lamp posts), and expediting wayleave approvals through engagement with relevant municipalities.
Training programmeOngoing

Digital Skills Transformation Training (with Huawei)

The Department, in collaboration with Huawei, conducts training for SMMEs on critical future skills such as Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, 5G, Artificial Intelligence (A1), and Digital Marketing to help them remain competitive.

Who it is for
SMMEs seeking digital skills to remain competitive
How to act on it
Enroll/participate in the Department’s Digital Skills Transformation Training programme conducted in collaboration with Huawei.
Show the line this came from
Digital Skills Transformation Training: In collaboration with Huawei, the Department conducts a training programme focusing on critical future skills, including Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, 5G, Artificial Intelligence (A1), and Digital Marketing, to ensure SMMEs remain competitive in a shifting economic landscape.
SMME/start-up support programmeOngoing

DigiTech Programme (market visibility, platform participation, and capacity building)

The DigiTech Programme enhances the market visibility and credibility of ICT SMMEs and enables them to participate in local and international platforms to secure business leads and form partnerships, while also providing capacity building through workshops and access to funding for research and development.

Who it is for
ICT SMMEs and start-ups seeking to participate meaningfully in the digital economy
How to act on it
Participate in the DigiTech Programme, including through participation in platforms such as GovTech, WSIS, A1 for Good, and the G20 ICT SME Challenge, and attend the programme’s workshops for capacity building and access to funding for research and development.
Show the line this came from
The DigiTech Programme: This flagship initiative enhances the market visibility and credibility of ICT SMMEs. By facilitating participation in local and international platforms such as GovTech, the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), A1 for Good, and the G20 ICT SME Challenge the programme enables SMMEs to secure high-quality business leads and form strategic partnerships. Furthermore, it provides capacity building through workshops on emerging technologies, regulatory compliance, and access to funding for research and development.

Facts

Reference

NW6842

Key Takeaways

  • question reference NW6842
  • minister: Communications and Digital Technologies
  • digital economy master plan revision
  • Executive Oversight Committee
  • no formalised financial incentives programme
  • DigiTech Programme
  • platform participation: GovTech, WSIS, A1 for Good, G20 ICT SME Challenge
  • capacity building and funding access for R&D
  • Rapid Deployment Coordination Centre (RDCC)
  • infrastructure access and site identification

Dates

Opening Date

7 January 2026