27 Feb Digital Transformation Summit – South Africa 2026 Announced for March in Johannesburg

The 45th edition of the Digital Transformation Summit – South Africa 2026 is set to take place on 11 March at the Indaba Hotel, Spa and Conference Centre, as South Africa accelerates its push towards a digitally driven economy.

Curated by Exito Media Concepts, the summit forms part of a global series hosted in more than 10 cities worldwide.

Organisers say the Johannesburg edition will bring together more than 200 C-level executives, technology leaders and policymakers to explore the next phase of the country’s digital transformation journey.

South Africa is witnessing rapid adoption of cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), data-led decision-making and nationwide digital inclusion initiatives.

Both public and private sector organisations are investing heavily in modernising legacy systems and expanding digital services, laying the groundwork for more agile, innovation-led growth.

These developments are aligned with broader ambitions to enhance economic competitiveness, improve service delivery and position the country as a digital hub for the African continent.

However, industry leaders warn that rapid digitalisation also heightens the need for stronger cyber-security resilience, improved data protection and regulatory compliance, upgraded infrastructure and the development of future-ready digital skills.

One of the summit’s focal points will be real-world transformation success stories, including the journey of a fully digital South African retail bank built without physical branches.

The bank adopted cloud-enabled, API-driven platforms and advanced analytics from inception, enabling rapid scalability and highly personalised customer experiences.

Through a partnership with a leading data and AI provider, it embedded machine learning and generative AI into core processes — enhancing fraud prevention, risk management and real-time behavioural analytics.

According to organisers, the integration of AI-driven insights increased the effectiveness of customer initiatives by more than 80 per cent and delivered measurable gains across actuarial and service functions. A centralised data platform also enabled leadership teams to translate customer feedback into actionable strategy, strengthening engagement and accelerating product innovation.

The 2026 edition will feature senior leaders from some of South Africa’s most prominent institutions, including:

Dhesen Ramsamy, Group Chief Technology and Data Officer at Old Mutual Limited

Ridwaan Rasool, Chief Information Officer at Investec

Phila Ndarana, Chief Technology Officer at the Auditor-General of South Africa

Marcus Portmann, Chief Information Officer at Discovery Limited

Key discussions will focus on AI leadership, return on investment frameworks for digital initiatives, legacy system modernisation, cyber-security and zero-trust adoption, workforce reskilling for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, digital sustainability and inclusive digital growth.

The summit is supported by the ISC2 Gauteng Chapter, reflecting a strong emphasis on cyber-security awareness, professional development and collaboration across South Africa’s growing digital ecosystem.

Organisers say the event aims to provide practical frameworks and actionable insights, enabling organisations to align digital investments with measurable business outcomes while fostering a resilient, future-ready digital culture.

The one-day summit will run from 9:00am to 5:00pm at the Indaba Hotel in Johannesburg. Further details are available via the official Digital Transformation Summit website.