Pretoria: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) is today hosting a masterclass focused on empowering Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) through digital innovation. The event is being held at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in partnership with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), and United National Economic Commission for Africa.
According to South African Government News Agency, the objective of the masterclass is to equip youth-led SMMEs with practical skills in digital tools for upskilling their business development skills and to also outline opportunities within the e-commerce space for local and export market access. Deputy Minister of the dtic, Zuko Godlimpi, highlighted that the masterclass aims to demonstrate real-world applications of digital tools through testimonials of young founders and alumni from the Capacity Building Programme for Digital Technology Integration in Business and Trade.
Godlimpi noted that the session will explore how digital tools can unlock new opportunities for SMMEs in the e-commerce space, enhancing market access, streamlining operations, and driving growth. Participants will gain practical insights into leveraging digital platforms, online payment systems, logistics solutions, and digital marketing strategies. Additionally, the event places a spotlight on government initiatives and support mechanisms aimed at accelerating digital transformation within the SMME sector.
He emphasized the current surge in the e-commerce landscape in South Africa, noting that for small businesses, e-commerce has become an essential avenue for scaling up, reaching a broader audience, and staying competitive in an evolving market. The masterclass takes place on the margins of the Science Forum South Africa.
Godlimpi further explained that one of the most significant benefits of e-commerce for small businesses in South Africa is access to a wider market. A shop owner in a small village community in a rural area, who might have had limited customers in the past, can now sell products to customers across the entire country and even globally with an online store.
The masterclass is preceded by the Science Forum South Africa panel discussion, scheduled for Wednesday, 26 November 2025, at the CSIR International Convention Centre.