
South Africa businesses embrace GenAI – but strategy and skills lagging, finds 2025 Roadmap
This is the key finding of the newly released South African Generative AI Roadmap 2025, based on a study by World Wide Worx in collaboration with Dell Technologies and Intel.
The report, which surveys over 100 mid-sized and large enterprises across industry sectors, shows that GenAI adoption has climbed from 45% of large enterprises in 2024 to 67% in 2025.
This dramatic rise positions GenAI as the fastest-moving digital trend in the country. However, in a rush to adopt the fast-growing technology, there is a need for organisations to take the foundational steps of planning and governance. Doing so will more clearly connect AI to people and processes and help organisations reap genuine, sustaining ROI.
'Many organisations are simply unaware of the gaps they're leaving in their systems,' says Arthur Goldstuck, CEO of World Wide Worx and principal analyst of the study. 'The risk goes beyond the technical, and includes reputational, ethical, and operational vulnerability. While the first step of technology adoption is well underway, our survey demonstrates there is room for operational growth.'
According to the report's findings, AI adoption has brought clear benefits to the organisations using it:
- 86% of GenAI users cite increased competitiveness as a result of using AI tools.
- 83% report improved productivity.
- 66% see enhanced customer service.
Yet, behind these numbers lies an operational gap:
- Only 14% of organisations have a formal company-wide GenAI strategy.
- Just 13% have implemented governance or ethical frameworks in the form of guardrails for safety, privacy and bias mitigation.
- 39% cite high implementation cost as the primary barrier to GenAI adoption.
AI maturity requires foundations
'The roadmap aims to help guide stakeholders to fully understand the scope of GenAI, and to build transparent strategies that deliver on its promise without placing enterprises at risk,' says Goldstuck. 'What's most startling is that many companies think using a GenAI tool is the same as having an AI strategy.'
As companies race to embed GenAI tools like Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT into business functions, most are overlooking deeper transformation through infrastructure, skills and internal capability. Holistic AI infrastructure, combined with people and processes, is critical to scaling AI deployments and clearly connecting them to tangible return on investment.
Shadow AI
The report raises the alarm about 'shadow AI' – the unsanctioned use of GenAI by employees without oversight. Currently:
- 32% of businesses report informal or unregulated GenAI use.
- A further 20% report a mix of official and unofficial GenAI use.
- 84% say oversight is an important or very important success factor for GenAI deployment.
Critical governance measures include clear principles for oversight, accountability, and responsible use. It enables organisations to build trust, reduce risk, and drive long-term value.
'The current use of GenAI is largely taking place in a regulatory and ethical vacuum,' Goldstuck warns. 'The longer this continues, the more harm can be caused, to both businesses and individuals, before these guardrails are in place. 'Without governance, organisations are walking blindfolded into a future shaped by AI. That might be exciting, but it is not sustainable.'
The roadmap also identifies two areas of opportunity:
- Business and Societal impact: Over 75% of respondents have no measures in place to monitor or reduce the energy use and footprint of GenAI.
- Skills development: A massive 87% of businesses have committed to GenAI upskilling or training of employees.
The report cautions that South Africa could find itself divided by the ability to use GenAI wisely and scale deployments as the technology matures.
Goldstuck says: 'There's a real risk of a GenAI disconnect in South Africa between those who use GenAI deliberately, strategically and ethically, and those who use it blindly or not at all.'
About World Wide Worx:
World Wide Worx is South Africa's leading independent technology research organisation, focused on delivering evidence-based insights for digital transformation.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
Workshop on Documentation and Distribution of Vegetable Seeds
The Ministry of Agriculture organized a workshop to discuss a draft resolution aimed at documenting and distribution of vegetable seeds developed at agricultural research centers and those entering the country through various means. The seminar was attended by Ministry staff from all regions and agricultural experts. Mr. Tekleab Misgina, Director General of Regulatory Services at the Ministry of Agriculture, stated that the national committee established in 2024 to regulate the distribution and quality of various crops, cereals, and oil seeds has commenced its activities by developing a guideline to support its operations. In the first half of 2025, a guideline to regulate potato seed quality was prepared, and regulations for vegetable seed quality have been finalized. Mr. Tekleab added that both domestically improved and imported vegetable seeds will be assessed through specific quality measures, documented, and issued certificates before being distributed to farmers. At the workshop, participants discussed papers on the importance of documentation and regulation of vegetable seeds, and the significance of adhering to established guidelines and regulations. Extensive discussions followed the presentations. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Zawya
7 hours ago
- Zawya
President El-Sisi Follows Up on Latest Developments in Industrial Projects
Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Transport and Industry, lieutenant General Kamel El-Wazir, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Engineer Hassan El-Khatib, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Engineer Karim Badawi, and CEO of the Environmental Affairs Agency Dr. Ali Hamid. The Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shenawy, said that during the meeting, the President reviewed the latest developments regarding the implementation of industrial projects, the provision of necessary raw materials for industrial operations, means for securing the required financing, and efforts to establish partnerships with major international specialized companies, in addition to plans for marketing the products both locally and globally. The President emphasized the importance of petrochemical and mining industries implemented by the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, given their role in maximizing the added value of Egypt's natural and mineral resources, meeting domestic market needs, exporting to international markets, and therefore contributing to the expansion of related industries. These efforts shall create job opportunities and boost returns for the national economy. President El-Sisi underscored the importance of accelerating the localization of related industries in Egypt and attracting investment to this vital sector. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt. Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an 'as is' and 'as available' basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release. The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.

Zawya
7 hours ago
- Zawya
Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Discusses Future Economic, Trade, and Investment Relations with British Minister for International Development Between The Two Countries
H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, held a discussion session with Baroness Jenny Chapman, UK Minister of State for International Development, during the G20 Development Ministers' Meeting in South Africa. The meetings witnessed extensive discussions on the future of economic, trade, and investment relations between the two countries in light of their close partnership, as well as joint coordination in international forums to advance efforts to restructure the global financial system and review proposed efforts to restructure the working mechanisms of the United Nations, as well as discussing the outcomes of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville. During the meeting, both sides expressed their anticipation of the upcoming visit to Cairo announced by the UK Prime Minister's Office, which will represent a qualitative shift in bilateral Egyptian-British relations, elevating them to a strategic partnership level, in addition to its role in opening up avenues for cooperation across various levels between the two sides. It is also an extension of the strategic partnership between Egypt and the European Union, which was announced in 2024. During the meeting, the two ministers agreed on the need to activate the recommendations issued by various international forums to restructure the global financial system, ensuring a more efficient and fair financial architecture, especially for developing countries, achieving greater transparency in financing mechanisms, and expanding concessional financing. They also discussed proposals for restructuring the working mechanisms of the United Nations system to make it more influential in the global economy, emphasizing the need to adopt comprehensive coordination and follow-up mechanisms to ensure sustainability and enhance national participation in UN efforts. The meeting witnessed extensive discussions on various aspects of the partnership between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the United Kingdom, particularly in terms of trade exchange, British investments in Egypt, economic relations, and development cooperation. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat reaffirmed Egypt's keenness to develop these relations and build on the pioneering results achieved over the past years, particularly in food security, support for start-ups, and small and medium enterprises. The two sides reviewed frameworks for bilateral cooperation in the field of development finance, the UK's contribution to financing development policies through the World Bank, as well as the role of UK Export Finance (UKEF) which supports project financing in Egypt, and the financing mechanisms provided by British International Investment (BII), which considers Egypt one of its priority markets. In this context, the Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation reviewed preparations for launching the 'National Narrative for Economic Development,' which is an executive program to promote structural transformation in the Egyptian economy toward tradable sectors, encourage foreign direct investment, industrial development, and support labor market and employment. H.E. noted that since March 2024, the government has implemented economic and structural reforms that have contributed to macroeconomic stability and created a favorable investment climate and business environment. The two sides also discussed close cooperation within the framework of the Egyptian National Platform for Green Projects, the 'NWFE' program, which focuses on linking water, food, and energy nexus, particularly through BII and its financing to support energy and green hydrogen projects. In addition to the UK's role in providing support and assistance to global climate funds, represented by the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF). Additionally, the meeting highlighted the launch of the 'Green Growth: Egypt–UK' campaign in June 2025, which will continue until COP30 Climate Conference to accelerate green economy partnerships. Given that the UK is one of the largest investors in Egypt in sectors in the energy, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods, and in light of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2024 between the Egyptian General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) and UKEF to strengthen investment relations, the two ministers explored the significant role of the Egyptian-British Business Association (BEBA) and the Egyptian-British Chamber of Commerce (EBCC) in connecting companies, facilitating investment, and enhancing trade exchange between the two countries. For her part, the British Minister emphasized the diverse historical relations between the two countries, which share close ties and cooperation across various fields. H.E. also praised Egypt's significant efforts in addressing the humanitarian crisis facing Palestinians in Gaza and the role of the Egyptian leadership in delivering humanitarian aid to the Strip, affirming her country's full support for these efforts. She expressed her hope for reaching an immediate and sustainable ceasefire that would allow safe and regular delivery of aid. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation - Egypt.