SAP’s purpose is to help the world run better and improve people’s lives. Given the ongoing economic and social challenges on the continent, Africa can arguably benefit the most from this purpose-led vision. Between 2005 and 2022, SAP invested more than €26 million in Africa, having a positive impact on the lives of 55 million people.
Cathy Smith, Managing Director at SAP Africa, says SAP works hard to achieve its vision. “We strive to improve people’s lives by accelerating the growth and impact of social enterprises, supporting efforts to build skills for the future, and collaborating with a broad range of stakeholders to establish sustainable business practices. As our latest data highlights, this substantive approach is paying huge dividends for millions of Africans.”
Some of the purpose-led initiatives that SAP has supported or implemented with partners include:
- Africa Code Week, which has provided basic coding training to 14.6 million African youth in 48 countries, with a girl participation rate of 47%.
- SAP Skills for Africa, an SAP training programme for African graduates that has delivered work-ready skills to 22 African countries through more than 1900 graduates, with a 95% employment rate post-graduation.
- Siyafunda Community Technology Centres, which offers digital programs at 240 centres across South Africa to the benefit of 30 million youth and adults.
- Leadership for Conservation in Africa, a business approach to initiate conservation-led socio-economic development in Africa that has benefited 3.5 million people.
- SAP Social Sabbatical Program, which has seen nearly 300 SAP volunteers drive impact at over a hundred NGOs and social enterprises to the benefit of 1.1 million people.
- The SAP, (RED) and Global Fund Partnership which sees an annual amount of $5 million contributed to HIV grants in Eswatini.
“Solving the great challenges of our time – economic growth, innovation, skills development, social upliftment, and sustainability – requires a collaborative approach,” says Smith. “Thanks to the outstanding work of our social enterprise partners, NGOs and public and private sector partners, SAP can celebrate significant milestones in having a positive impact on the Continent. We look forward to continuing the great work in the years ahead and making a meaningful contribution to Africa and its people.”