ITWebTV Biz: How AWS is helping to build SA’s next generation of cloud entrepreneurs
Through its Equity Equivalent Investment Programme, AWS South Africa has supported 47 black-owned, cloud-native businesses, equipping them with AWS certifications, go-to-market skills and access to its global partner network.
South Africa's relationship with Amazon Web Services (AWS) stretches back to the development of Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) in Cape Town. Now, AWS is investing in the people and businesses that are shaping the country's cloud economy. In 2020, AWS South Africa launched the Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP) to boost small, black-owned technology companies in the cloud market.
Since its inception, EEIP has supported 47 cloud-native companies, providing them with AWS certifications, Partner Network status, training, coaching, and go-to-market planning. James Hickman, AWS South Africa's country manager, emphasizes that the EEIP is focused on more than just financial support; it aims to create businesses that positively impact communities.
Research from the University of the Western Cape suggests that up to 80% of small and medium businesses fail within their first five years, so EEIP addresses various challenges faced by these enterprises, from funding to technical capabilities and market access. The program takes an iterative approach, continuously refining its support based on the needs of participants.
So far, EEIP partners have contributed to developing South Africa's professional cloud workforce, with some individuals achieving AWS Golden Jackets – a globally recognized certification signifying mastery of AWS technologies. ITWeb TV Biz is profiling several EEIP partners through video interviews to share their stories of building the next generation of South Africa's cloud economy.
Written by urgent.news from ITWeb's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
