A new survey reveals that 77% of South African business decision makers are ready to adopt AI tools immediately, with over half already experiencing measurable results.
These findings point to a technology-savvy market that not only explores AI, but also actively uses it to increase productivity, expand decision-making and improve customer experience.
The results are from Asus 2025 The future of SMB A report by South African business leaders looking at small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) navigating digital transformation. The findings reflect not only a strong desire for innovation, but also a growing confidence in the real impact of AI.
“There is real momentum in the adoption of AI in South Africa. Instead of restraining, companies are using these tools to solve real challenges and unlock new opportunities.”
This study reveals a practical marketplace that is confident in technology and is likely to be useful.
- 77% are ready to adopt AI immediately
- 51% already see clear business results
- 43% expect benefits to be seen within 1-2 years
- 92% agree that hiring AI will help keep younger employees up
Respondents cited the following benefits:
- Improved productivity and operational efficiency (76%)
- More powerful data insights and analysis (67%)
- Faster, more informed decisions (54%)
Even with this optimism, SMBs in South Africa are strategically approaching adoption. Data security, system maintenance, and the need to stay up to date with new technologies remain important concerns. This indicates a preference for sustainable, long-term solutions over rapid fixes.
The South African survey findings are in line with broader insights from Asus' global whitepaper. Why SMB supports AI for global growthBased on research in 32 markets. Around the world, SMBs are leveraging AI to expand into new markets, navigate linguistic and operational barriers, and build long-term partnerships rather than short-term trading relationships.
Many choose to grow controlled, technologically-enabled, rather than chasing scale for their own reasons, and AI and trustworthy digital infrastructure play a central role in helping businesses adapt with confidence.
