[24 February 2026]
On February 24, 2026, the Department of Communications appeared before Parliament to deliver a briefing on the results of the Policy Colloquium.
[23 December 2025]
On October 17, 2025, Pretoria served as the backdrop for a significant Policy Colloquium led by the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies. The gathering brought together a diverse cross-section of the digital economy, including mobile giants, local broadcasters, tech startups, academic researchers, and civil society advocates.
The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) has recently published a Feedback Report detailing the insights gathered during these sessions. This document explores how stakeholder suggestions align with the Minister’s core pillars: universal connectivity, increased investment, digital literacy, and enhanced governance of South Africa’s tech landscape.
DCDT Policy Colloquium Feedback Report
A Roadmap for the Digital Future
The report introduces a preliminary action plan designed to guide the DCDT’s policy focus for the remainder of this administration’s term. It is important to view this roadmap as a strategic response to industry feedback rather than a formal list of government mandates.
Phase 1: Immediate Initiatives (January – June 2026)
To maintain momentum, the Department proposes several “quick-win” actions over the next six months:
- Quarterly Stakeholder Forum: Launching a permanent dialogue platform focused on five key areas: Regulation, Infrastructure, Skills, Innovation, and Governance.
- Streamlined Infrastructure Rollout: Partnering with COGTA and SALGA to fast-track the adoption of standard municipal by-laws for electronic communications.
- Regulatory “Quick Wins”: Organizing a rapid impact assessment to identify and remove immediate barriers to infrastructure development.
- National Evidence Hub: Creating a blueprint for a data-driven center to inform digital policy.
- Defining Connectivity: Formally initiating the process under the Electronic Communications Act (ECA) to define “meaningful access” for all South Africans.
Phase 2: Medium-Term Goals (July 2026 – December 2027)
The focus then shifts toward structural improvements and institutional support:
- Regulators Forum: Unifying bodies responsible for competition, data privacy, and cybersecurity into a cohesive operational unit.
- Digital Skills Alignment: Refreshing the National Digital Skills Framework to ensure public funding reaches the most impactful programs.
- Dedicated Support Desks: Setting up specialized investment and startup offices within the DCDT to foster entrepreneurship.
- Innovation Sandboxes: Launching controlled environments to test new ICT regulations without stifling growth.
- Legislative Reform: Drafting a clear timeline for reviewing the ECA and coordinating future tech legislation.
- USAF Transparency: Revamping the Universal Service and Access Fund and committing to an annual report on national connectivity progress.
Phase 3: Long-Term Strategic Vision
Looking further ahead, the DCDT aims to transform the fundamental relationship between the state and the digital sector:
- Modern Regulation: Moving toward a client-focused, “enabling” regulatory framework that encourages growth.
- Economic Integration: Incorporating digital economy metrics into national accounts to better target investment and skill-building goals.
- AI and Energy Infrastructure: Incentivizing large-scale private investment in data centers and AI-ready power grids through public-private partnerships.
Note on Content: This report summarizes the diverse perspectives shared by attendees during the Colloquium. These insights represent stakeholder opinions and do not necessarily constitute the official stance or confirmed policy of the Minister or the Department.