Telkom FutureMakers, in partnership with tech accelerator Disraptor and the UK–South Africa Tech Hub, has launched a six-month AI Catalyst Growth Programme aimed at improving artificial intelligence readiness among Black-owned ICT small and medium enterprises (SMMEs).
The programme selected 10 companies from hundreds of applicants across South Africa. It targets ICT-focused businesses seeking to move beyond basic automation and experimental AI use towards scalable, commercially viable solutions.
FutureMakers, Telkom’s enterprise and supplier development programme, has supported more than 2 600 businesses over the past decade. Telkom says the AI Catalyst Growth Programme signals a move towards long-term digital capability building rather than once-off financial support.
Programme focuses on practical implementation
According to Telkom Group Chief Digital Officer Sello Mmakau, targeted interventions are needed to ensure smaller technology firms are not excluded from the digital economy.
“By investing in the digital sector, we are helping to safeguard future livelihoods and laying the groundwork for innovation,” Mmakau said.
The AI Catalyst Growth Programme offers embedded engineering support in data automation, cloud infrastructure and AI readiness.
“This programme is designed to ensure that SMMEs can meaningfully participate in the AI economy, rather than remain on the margins,” he said.
Participating businesses also receive corporate and investor-readiness support, including technical due diligence and access to a curated investor demo day. The programme is fully funded, with no equity or participation fees.
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Disraptor is responsible for programme delivery, while funding is provided by Telkom and the UK–South Africa Tech Hub, a United Kingdom government initiative focused on strengthening bilateral tech collaboration.
Khoi Tech targets predictive health solutions
Among the selected businesses is Khoi Tech, a Soweto-founded health-tech company that develops connected devices and data platforms for workplace wellness, remote healthcare and safety monitoring. Founder and chief executive Seati Moloi said the accelerator addresses a key gap facing many growing technology firms: the transition from data collection to actionable intelligence.
“We’ve spent years building devices and platforms that generate health and performance data. The challenge is turning that data into insights that can predict risk and prevent problems before they occur,” Moloi said.
He added that AI capability is becoming essential for companies operating in health and safety-focused sectors.
“In areas like employee wellness, driver safety and remote patient care, reactive systems are no longer enough,” Moloi said.
“AI allows us to shift towards early warning and prevention, which is where real value is created for organisations and communities.”
Khoi Tech’s participation reflects a broader trend among South African SMMEs exploring AI-enabled solutions in healthcare, logistics and workforce management, sectors under increasing pressure to improve outcomes while controlling costs.
