Samsung South Africa has announced the launch of its Equity Equivalent Investment Program (EEIP), which will provide R280 million to South African tech companies over a period of 10 years. At the core of this initiative lies a bold objective: to empower Black-owned and women- owned businesses in the ICT sector, with specialized interests in township economies, electronics service centers, e-waste beneficiation, and skills development.
This move isn’t entirely new. Samsung first introduced its EEIP plan in 2019, in collaboration with South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dti). The company has committed to extending enterprise development investments nationwide by over R138 million since then. With this renewed push, the company is strengthening its long-term presence in the country, not just as a tech brand but also through its role as development partner.
Samsung’s partnership with Ocule IT in the EEIP initiative resulted in a five-day enterprise development bootcamp from July 7 to July 11, 2025. ICT entrepreneurs were brought together at the bootcamp to receive intensive training that aimed to build business models that are suitable for investors. But it doesn’t end there. Participants are now in for a four-month incubation period, during which the top performers will be invited to submit 1-2 proposals at the “Pitch and Polish” event in October 2025. A R500,000 grant has been created to assist selected participants in transforming their ideas from paper to product.
The initiative is not limited to bootcamps. Samsung has also teamed up with institutions such as the University of the Western Cape, Microsoft’s AppFactory and Mintek to offer technical expertise in app development, software engineering and e-waste innovation. This indicates a more widespread initiative by the tech giant to contribute to sustainable ecosystem development, particularly in regions that are not receiving enough support.
While this is a powerful statement of corporate intent, I am cautiously optimistic about it. On paper, it meets all the necessary criteria. Focusing on marginalized communities, it enhances capacity, aligns with South Africa’s transformation strategy, and produces measurable outcomes. Samsung even boasts Level-1 B-BBEE has been awarded five years in a market where many multinationals are struggling to meet empowerment standards, which is hardly improbable.
Anyone who has closely monitored the South African tech ecosystem will know that funding alone does not guarantee results. Often, programs like this are only beneficial to a select group of players who have access to them, while the ones who require genuine support are left behind. The issue of accountability and the potential for scalable and sustainable businesses to thrive is a persistent concern.
Still, the inclusion of incubation, mentorship, and practical pitch opportunities suggests that Samsung is at least thinking beyond traditional “tick-the-box” enterprise support. That’s important. Developing an identity requires time, patience, and a commitment to outcomes, especially when dealing with entrepreneurs who lack the necessary connections and resources for success.
I think that the company’s consistent commitment since 2019 gives this program added credibility. This isn’t a one-off donation. It’s part of a deliberate 10-year plan, linked to South Africa’s National Development Plan 2030 and its wider mission is to prepare the nation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Recognizing the rarity of corporate transformation initiatives that involve long-term thinking is worth mentioning.
