SMME DEVELOPMENT AND STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT By Sihle S. Sibiya (PhD) Executive: Systems Integration

BACKGROUND ANALYSES South Africa’s triple challenges (Unemployment, Poverty and Inequality) The National Development Plan (NDP) aims to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030. SMME’s have been identified as productive drivers of inclusive economic growth and development in South Africa. SMME total economic output accounts for approximately 34% of GDP

CHALLENGES Appropriate technology and low production capacity A lack of management skills and inadequate skilled labour Finance and obtaining credit Access to markets and developing relationships with customers

CHALLENGES cont. Recognition by large companies and government bureaucracy Knowledge and support for the role that they play in economic development Regulatory compliance Crime and corruption

OPPORTUNITIES 1784 1870 1969 TODAY

OPPORTUNITIES Industry 4.0 Robotics & Drones Blockchain Vertical and horizontal systems integration Internet of Things (IoT) Cyber security Cloud Computing Ubiquitous Videos Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Quantum computing, Big Data & Analytics

OUR INTERVENTION Sizwe has always viewed SMME relationship as a Partnership Sizwe has two types of engagement with SMME’s Long term focus partnerships Short term, as in when partnerships

OUR INTERVENTION cont. Our partnership with our SMME’s goes beyond being compliant Sizwe is also involved in developing Youth entrepreneurial skills Our intervention reduces risk for our SMME’s while exposing them on market opportunities.

MEASURABLE RESULTS These are some of the deliverables of our SMME program: Partnership management (Governance, etc.) Right Fit Right Time Mentorship Localised and focused SMME development Capacity Development and Support Cash flow sustainability

CONCLUSSION Systematic approach to SMME development SMME’s Systematic approach to SMME development New IT landscape Opportunities

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