AWS reaffirms commitment to South Africa with investments, job creation
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA — Cloud computing services provider Amazon Web Services (AWS) reaffirmed its commitment to South Africa by pledging substantial ongoing investments in infrastructure, skills development, and job creation.
At the AWS Summit 2024 in Johannesburg, Chris Erasmus, AWS South Africa’s country general manager, underscored the African continent’s strategic importance to the company.
Celebrating 20 years in Africa, AWS plans to contribute significantly to the region’s economic development. Since launching its infrastructure region in South Africa in April 2020, AWS has faced competition from Microsoft, which opened two local data centers in 2019.
AWS’s multi-billion dollar investment in South Africa
Despite this, AWS has committed to investing ZAR46 billion (US$2.57 billion) from 2018 to 2029, including ZAR30.4 billion (US$1.69 billion) announced last year for cloud infrastructure development.
AWS’s presence in South Africa has been transformative, enabling developers, start-ups, enterprises, government bodies, and educational institutions to leverage its cloud services.
The company’s investment supports job creation across sectors such as telecommunications, construction, electricity generation, and data center operations.
AWS’s Cape Town region, with three availability zones and over 160 services, continues to expand to meet customer demand.
Bridging the skills gap with development programs
AWS is tackling the skills gap in South Africa through various programs, including the AWS Activate initiative, which provides start-ups with training resources and promotional credits.
Between 2018 and 2022, over 2,600 South African companies benefited from ZAR340 million (US$19 million) in AWS promotional credits.
In August, AWS opened a Skills Centre in the Western Cape, its first outside the US, to combat unemployment and the digital skills gap. This initiative is part of AWS’s broader goal to train 29 million people in digital skills by 2025, a target already surpassed.
Opportunities for South Africa’s outsourcing firms
AWS’s investment offers significant opportunities for outsourcing companies in South Africa. With enhanced cloud infrastructure and a growing pool of skilled workers, South African outsourcing firms can:
- Offer competitive cloud-based services to global clients
- Leverage AWS’s extensive service portfolio
- Tap into a larger talent pool of cloud-skilled professionals
- Benefit from reduced latency and improved performance due to local data centers
Outsourcing companies specializing in AWS services
South Africa is home to several renowned outsourcing companies that specialize in providing AWS services. These companies leverage Amazon Web Services to offer a range of cloud-based solutions, helping businesses optimize their operations and drive digital transformation.
Here are some of the top AWS outsourcing companies in South Africa:
Dudobi
An accredited AWS partner, Dudobi assists businesses in analyzing, designing, managing, and modernizing their cloud workloads. They provide comprehensive cloud solutions tailored to meet specific business needs.
Cloudn8v
Specializing in cloud migration, integration, and security, Cloudn8v serves multiple markets, including South Africa, the UK, Australia, and the U.S. They focus on delivering platform-agnostic cloud-based products and services.
Autumn Leaf
As an advanced AWS partner, Autumn Leaf specializes in cloud, big data, and artificial intelligence solutions. They drive data-driven capabilities in organizations with a focus on agile principles and governance.
EOH Cloud Services
EOH helps customers integrate AWS into every facet of their business, offering a range of cloud services designed to enhance business operations and set businesses free from traditional IT constraints.
Turrito Networks
An end-to-end technology solutions provider, Turrito Networks combines network services with managed IT support and AWS cloud hosting platforms, offering comprehensive solutions for businesses.
Disraptor
Specializes in technological solutions for efficient business operations, offering web and software development, full-stack development, and IT solutions tailored for business efficiency.
Jumping Bean Solutions
Offers expertise in cybersecurity, cloud computing, and DevOps. As an AWS partner, Jumping Bean Solutions helps businesses implement and optimize AWS services to enhance their IT infrastructure and operations.
Maze Tech Solutions
Provides a range of services, including app and website development, cloud services, IoT, and artificial intelligence. Maze Tech Solutions utilizes AWS to deliver tailored solutions that meet the unique challenges of their clients, ensuring high-quality and scalable digital products.
SovTech
Has a wide range of services, including custom software development, mobile app development, and cloud solutions. As an AWS partner, SovTech utilizes AWS services to deliver cutting-edge technology solutions that help businesses streamline their operations and drive digital transformation.
Africa as a key growth area
AWS’s reaffirmed commitment to South Africa highlights its role as a catalyst for economic development and digital transformation. By investing in infrastructure and skills development, AWS is not only enhancing its own capabilities but also empowering South African businesses and individuals to thrive in the digital economy.
This commitment underscores AWS’s strategic focus on Africa as a key growth area. The company plans to continue expanding its services and impact across the continent.
