South Africa’s telecommunications parastatal, Telkom, is promoting the expansion of the country’s digital and artificial intelligence (AI) skills.

It has committed ZAR100 million to establish the Telkom AI Institute to support local innovation and accelerate participation in the digital economy, reports Businesstech.

According to Telkom, while connectivity in the country is improving, digital skills are lagging behind.

‘Connectivity without capability only gets South Africa halfway there,’ says Serame Taukobong, Telkom Group CEO.

‘We have spent years building the networks that connect this country. The Telkom AI Institute is our commitment to ensuring that connectivity translates into skills, jobs and opportunity.’

Geared towards the youth, small businesses and previously underserved communities, the institute will focus on providing practical, job-ready AI and digital skills training.

Announced in Geneva as part of the International Telecommunication Union’s Partner2Connect Digital Coalition, Telkom’s pledge falls under its Vision 2030, which envisions the telecoms provider moving from being purely a telecoms service provider towards actively building digital skills.

15 July 2026
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