Leading voices in enterprise technology have affirmed that cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) are playing an increasingly pivotal role in accelerating organisational growth across the African continent. This assertion came during SAPHILA 2025, the flagship conference organised by the African SAP User Group (AFSUG), held between June 1st and 3rd at the Sun City Resort and Convention Centre in South Africa.
The event, regarded as Africa’s most significant gathering for SAP customers, partners, and technology experts, showcased how forward-thinking businesses are adopting cloud-first and AI-driven strategies to remain competitive in today’s fast-evolving digital economy. According to the organisers, SAPHILA 2025 was convened against the backdrop of growing digital transformation efforts, as companies across the region embrace cutting-edge technologies to unlock new levels of innovation and productivity.
Speaking at the conference, Vice President for SAP Middle East Africa South, Mr. Sergio Maccotta, described Africa as a strategic region for SAP’s global vision. He reiterated SAP’s commitment to empowering businesses to harness cloud infrastructure and intelligent systems to fuel long-term growth. He noted that gatherings like SAPHILA offer a vital platform to examine emerging trends and explore how AI-powered tools are redefining the business landscape.
Also weighing in was Thomas Pfiester, SAP’s Head of Global Customer Engagement & Services and a member of the company’s extended board. He stressed the need for organisations to take a comprehensive approach when adopting cloud technologies, saying true digital transformation goes beyond merely implementing new software. “This is about enhancing capability, adopting the right tools, and deploying effective methodologies that deliver faster time-to-value and foster enterprise agility,” he explained.
SAP’s research findings, presented during the conference, revealed that among African employers, cloud and AI-related expertise are the most sought-after skills when hiring tech talent. The data also showed that all organisations surveyed in the “AI Skills Readiness Revealed” report expect the demand for AI competencies to rise significantly in 2025.
Stefan Steinle, Executive Vice President and Head of Customer Support & Cloud Lifecycle Management at SAP, further emphasised that businesses leading with an ‘AI-first’ and ‘suite-first’ mindset are gaining competitive advantages. He said that such firms are experiencing smarter decision-making, more seamless collaboration, and accelerated innovation. According to him, this transformation is being driven by tools like SAP Business Data Cloud, which allows businesses to unify data and activate intelligent systems that work across departments. He also pointed to “RISE with SAP” as the definitive pathway for organisations looking to shift from on-premise systems to a more agile, cloud-based enterprise model.
This year’s SAPHILA conference featured high-profile keynote addresses, deep-dive product sessions, interactive Ask Me Anything forums, and hands-on learning experiences through a personalised digital portal. These elements, according to organisers, were designed to empower participants with practical insights and expose them to real-world applications of business AI.
Nazia Pillay, SAP’s Interim Managing Director for South Africa, described the event as a critical moment for the SAP ecosystem. She highlighted the role of AFSUG in facilitating impactful dialogue and knowledge-sharing among industry leaders, adding that SAPHILA 2025 has set the tone for Africa’s digital future.
On her part, Amanda Gibbs, CEO of AFSUG, hailed the success of the conference and the collaborative efforts that made it possible. She noted that this year’s edition was a must-attend for companies that rely on SAP technologies to drive innovation and operational excellence. She thanked SAP and all stakeholders for supporting the initiative and expressed optimism about the future of enterprise technology on the continent.
With more businesses aligning their strategies around AI and cloud technologies, the insights and conversations from SAPHILA 2025 are expected to influence digital transformation agendas in both the public and private sectors across Africa in the months ahead.