Deon Geyser, CEO, Liquid Intelligent Technologies SA
In recent years, South Africa's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector has grown faster than the country's GDP, representing 8% of all the wealth generated annually in the country. From payment systems to cloud-stored archives and internet-powered services, our economy now lives on the web as much as it does in our hands.
At Liquid, we see this everywhere, from small retailers to giants in the manufacturing sector. Online access has become so fundamental that it defines our way of living. This transformation is particularly evident in the mining, manufacturing, logistics, and retail sectors, where the need for reliable and advanced ICT solutions has become standard.
The more businesses depend on cloud solutions and interconnected services to improve efficiency in their day-to-day operations, the more vital it becomes for us to recognise the fundamental imperative of protecting, expanding, and guaranteeing the efficiency of our ICT network.
If cloud services, internet access and private networks have presented new opportunities for old businesses to become more efficient and new businesses to emerge, they have also deepened the necessity to ensure the reliability of access to that same network. This is why Liquid has invested extensively in building its fibre network (over 30 000 km) in the country, bringing much-needed access to high-speed connectivity to both remote and urban areas.
In the past, when we spoke about private Internet networks in business, we generally referred to automation – cutting-edge technology applications that drive efficiency and innovation in numerous industries. However, the narrative has shifted in the face of the current crisis.
Load shedding has become a regular occurrence for all South Africans and is a significant challenge to businesses, disrupting operations and threatening economic productivity. As a result, we have seen an increased demand for private network solutions. However, instead of using these systems for state-of-the-art applications, clients are using them for basic, reliable communication.
Despite the challenges the energy crisis poses, we remain optimistic and motivated in our goals. We see these challenges as opportunities for growth and innovation, reinforcing our commitment to developing and bolstering South Africa's digital infrastructure to meet the surging demand for ICT solutions.
Five years ago, Liquid committed to investing R8.5 billion into South Africa by launching two new data centres in Johannesburg and Cape Town, ensuring that local businesses don't need to look beyond South African borders for their data storage needs. Liquid has also connected over 2500 public sites in the Eastern and Western Cape, ensuring that more people in the country have access to high-speed connectivity.
However, to sustain this investment and to continue driving digital transformation, we need an enabling and stable policy framework. One that offers predictability to investors and encourages further development of the ICT sector. A stable environment includes not only a stable currency but also a policy framework conducive to promoting investment.
The digital transformation journey we have embarked on offers solutions to current challenges and paves the way for a resilient future. The ability to adapt and innovate in the face of adversity is a testament to the resilience and potential of the ICT sector. The power of connectivity extends beyond ensuring business continuity amidst load shedding; it empowers us to reimagine and reinvent how we live and work. It allows for remote operations and the use of IoT, paving the way for more efficient and sustainable business practices. With automation, we can streamline processes, reduce waste, and drive innovation.
As we continue to invest in our digital infrastructure, we are responding to more than just the immediate challenges posed by the energy crisis – we are laying the foundation for a digital future, one that is resilient, inclusive, and sustainable. Our response to the energy crisis should include a strategy to ensure our connectivity remains uninterrupted. A shutdown in telecommunications is as impactful as a power outage, perhaps even more so. If we can't communicate, we cannot function and certainly cannot grow.
Ensuring connectivity has become just as, if not more, vital than power reliability. This is our challenge and our opportunity. As we navigate our energy challenges, let us seize this opportunity to invest in our digital future to build a resilient and interconnected South Africa. Let us embrace the age of connectivity.
It is vital that businesses in South Africa should continue to invest in infrastructure despite the challenges that surround us. If we do not promote this digital transformation and commit to a vision of a connected future where every individual and business has access to reliable, high-quality ICT services, then who will?
