The Southern Africa Telecommunications Networks and Applications Conference (SATNAC), Africa’s leading ICT research and innovation event, will take place in Hermanus, Western Cape from 30 November to 3 December 2025. Hosted by Telkom, SATNAC 2025 will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, academics, and innovators under the theme:
“Africa’s Ascent: Towards a Sustainable and Resilient Future enabled by secure Next-Generation Infrastructure, Digital Technology and Artificial Intelligence.”

Now in its 28th year, SATNAC is recognised as the continent’s flagship platform for driving dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing across the digital ecosystem. The 2025 programme features keynote addresses from industry experts, high-level panel discussions and cutting-edge research.

The conference will also include the SATNAC Industry Solutions Challenge and an Innovation Exhibition, providing a unique platform for students and researchers to present solutions to real-world challenges and connect with potential employers and partners.

“SATNAC is more than an event, it’s a bridge between industry and academia, where research meets real-world challenges,” says Dr Mmaki Jantjies, Telkom’s Group Executive for Innovation & Transformation and SATNAC 2025 Chairperson. “Our investment in SATNAC and our research Centres of Excellence demonstrates Telkom’s commitment to building digital infrastructure, nurturing talent and advancing knowledge creation across Africa.”

Jantjies explains that through partnerships with the National Research Foundation and universities, Telkom is supporting master’s and PhD students whose work addresses the continent’s most pressing challenges in AI, IoT, and next-generation networks.

“These partnerships ensure that research is not only theoretical but also aligned with Telkom’s priority areas and the practical needs of industry. By funding skills development and offering internships, we are helping to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world application.”

Telkom’s ongoing support for SATNAC is rooted in a vision of digital inclusion and sustainable growth. “For us, digital transformation is not just about technology, it’s about empowering people and ensuring that innovation is grounded in the realities of Africa,” she says. “By investing in skills development, research, and open innovation, we are helping to shape a future where all Africans can participate in and benefit from the digital economy.”

The SATNAC conference also plays a vital role in strengthening collaboration between industry, academia, government, and society. “This approach is essential for positioning South Africa as a research and innovation hub for the continent. We are deliberate about including historically disadvantaged institutions and ensuring that opportunities are accessible to all.”

As Africa enters a new era of digital opportunity, SATNAC 2025 stands as a testament to Telkom’s leadership in driving collaboration, research and inclusive progress for the continent’s digital future.