Godongwana tears into his own government's ICT policy drift
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana accused the South African government of prioritising workshops over tangible outcomes in its ICT policy. He highlighted the 16‑year delay in the digital migration programme and the absence of a national AI strategy, urging clearer accountability and faster implemen…
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana took to the podium at the Development Bank of Southern Africa’s annual results presentation in Johannesburg to deliver a scathing critique of the country’s ICT policy. He accused the government of favouring workshops and road‑maps over real delivery, pointing to the stalled digital migration programme and the lack of a national artificial intelligence strategy.
Digital Migration Still on Hold
Godongwana reminded the audience that the digital migration initiative, originally slated for completion in December 2010, remains 16 years overdue. The programme was designed to replace legacy telephone exchanges with modern, cloud‑based systems and to phase out analogue telephone lines. Despite the passage of time, the rollout has stalled, with no definitive switch‑off date announced.
Communications Department Director‑General Nonkqubela Jordan‑Dyani told Parliament on 14 August that a definitive date would only be set after stakeholder consultations were finished. Five provinces—Gauteng, KwaZulu‑Natal, the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape—have already been switched off, but the remaining heavily populated provinces have not seen any progress.
AI Strategy Missing From the National Agenda
Godongwana also turned his attention to artificial intelligence, citing the World Bank’s World Development Report 2026: The Promise of Artificial Intelligence. The report noted that of 25 low‑income countries, only Rwanda had a dedicated national AI strategy. South Africa, classified as a middle‑income country, was not among the 80 nations listed as having a strategy.
He highlighted that the country’s draft AI policy, which had been gazetted on 10 April, was withdrawn 16 days later by Communications Minister Solly Malatsi after fabricated sources were discovered in its reference list. A revised draft is expected to reach cabinet in November, with public consultation slated for January 2027.
Critique of Government Process
In his speech, Godongwana described the current process as a cycle of meetings, workshops and summits that ultimately fail to produce timely results. "Sometimes in South Africa we have a meeting, we run a workshop, we run that workshop. Others will run a workshop in provinces," he said. "The culmination of the workshop will be a summit, and then a summit develops a road map, and then we go back to provinces and design strategies for implementing the road map. Then there are yet other workshops. The effect of it: we don’t deliver on time."
He also criticised the lack of clear ownership within the government, noting that different departments handle cybersecurity, AI and other technology initiatives without a coordinated strategy. "One department deals with cybersecurity, another leads something else," he said. "We have to find a way of moving."
Impact on the Economy and Public Services
The delay in digital migration and the absence of an AI strategy have significant implications for South Africa’s economy and public services. The Development Bank of Southern Africa reported a record net profit of R7.8 billion for FY2026, yet the country’s technology infrastructure remains lagging behind global peers.
Without a modern telecommunications backbone, businesses face higher operational costs and reduced competitiveness. Moreover, the lack of a national AI policy hampers innovation, limits the country’s ability to attract tech investment, and slows the adoption of AI solutions that could improve public service delivery.
What Happens Next?
Godongwana called for a more decisive approach, urging the government to set concrete deadlines and hold departments accountable. The upcoming cabinet meeting in November will review the revised AI draft, and the public consultation in January 2027 will determine the final policy direction.
For now, the digital migration programme remains stalled, and the nation continues to lag behind its peers in AI readiness. The government’s next steps will be closely watched by investors, technologists and citizens alike.
Why it matters
South Africa’s delayed digital migration and lack of an AI strategy hinder economic growth, reduce competitiveness, and limit the country’s ability to harness technology for public service improvement.
Key points
- Digital migration programme is 16 years overdue
- No national AI strategy in place
- Draft AI policy withdrawn due to fabricated sources
- Government process criticised for endless workshops
- Cabinet review of AI draft scheduled for November
- Public consultation set for January 2027
Frequently asked questions
What is the status of South Africa’s digital migration programme?
The programme, originally due in 2010, remains 16 years overdue with no definitive switch‑off date announced. Five provinces have been switched off, but major provinces remain pending.
Why was the draft AI policy withdrawn?
It was withdrawn after fabricated sources were found in its reference list, prompting the Communications Minister to pull it back.
When will the revised AI policy be reviewed?
The revised draft is slated for cabinet review in November, with public consultation planned for January 2027.
