Telkom’s FutureMakers initiative has reached its 10-year milestone with a 153.4% year-on-year surge in enterprise and supplier development investment in FY2025. Launched in 2015 with an initial R250 million, the programme has incubated ICT-focused SMMEs and expanded market access at scale.
By Ashley Lechman – Business Report
Over the decade, FutureMakers has supported 459 youth- and women-led enterprises and channelled about R859 million in procurement opportunities, while nurturing more than 2,600 black-owned SMMEs. Telkom reports more job opportunities created this year and cites cumulative contributions to employment and livelihoods through supplier spending.
To celebrate the anniversary, Telkom is running national hackathons in September to surface new solutions and start-up potential among students and young technologists, with promising ideas earmarked for incubation. The trajectory points to a practical model for SME growth: pair capital with market access, mentorship and product-testing platforms, then convert innovation into procurement pipelines. The next test is translating hackathon energy into long-term, revenue-generating supply-chain opportunities.
