Digital technology offers exciting opportunities for businesses to flourish in South Africa, particularly in industries such as gambling and e-Commerce.
The reputable betting apps listed on comparison website bettingtop10.co.za rely heavily on modern technology to deliver immersive experiences to their customers.
Much like the betting industry, the e-Commerce sector is also a potential goldmine for companies who are willing to invest in technological innovations. Read on as we take a closer look.
Betting Boom Continues Apace
One area of digital transformation where people will be keeping an eye on in South Africa heading into 2026 is the development of betting apps and how they will evolve.
Online gambling operators are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to make sure their apps are more relatable to each individual user.
Rather than churning out the same generic content to every customer, apps will increasingly learn a user’s patterns and tweak the experience to suit them personally.
Another major trend that could make waves in 2026 is the integration of increasingly advanced payment solutions to betting apps in South Africa.
Digital wallets take the hassle out of payment processes. Cryptocurrencies will also become more commonplace in the online gambling industry.
The ultimate goal for betting operators is to ensure sure people can easily make deposits and withdrawals on betting apps, and these technologies will help them achieve their aims.
Digital e-Commerce is Changing Shopping Habits
With more than 43 million people connected to the internet and smartphones in the hands of over 90 percent of users, online shopping has become a regular everyday routine.
Many South Africans use their phones for online shopping, forcing businesses to focus more on creating mobile-friendly websites and apps.
People are taking their shopping online these days because they want speed, ease and flexibility. They want to be able to purchase whatever they want with only a few clicks.
They also want to complete payments quickly, which is why digital wallets and platforms that offer buy-now-pay-later services via apps are becoming more popular.
These services eliminate many of the delays and frustrations that previously discouraged customers from shopping. Unsurprisingly, social media is playing its part in this new dynamic.
Social apps such as TikTok and Instagram are entertainment behemoths, but they have also become spaces where people can find products they want to purchase.
This usually happens with an influencer involved, although customers can also find new products through short videos and shared content from friends.
Shopping platforms have been clever enough to insert direct links to their website into these platforms, so customers don’t have any problems finding what they’re looking for.
Data is King in South Africa
South Africa is dealing with economic issues that leave little wiggle room for organisations to make bad decisions and get away with them.
There are a several digital priorities South African business owners must focus on in 2026, including data. Too many organisations still think of data as just software, dashboards or reports used by specific teams, instead of something the whole business should share and thrive on.
Information often gets stuck in silos, making it harder for people to make good business decisions quickly. What leaders actually need is a company-wide plan for data.
They need to know where data is stored, who can access it, how it moves between departments, and how it helps people do their jobs day to day. When everyone can easily access reliable data, decisions are made faster and with more confidence.
AI and automations should make significant inroads in app development in 2026 and beyond. Many businesses now use them to handle customer care, process financial tasks or improve internal operations to save money and work more efficiently.
This doesn’t make human skills irrelevant or inferior to technology. Without skilled teams, there is no digital progress, so leaders still need to invest in training employees on how to use new tools.
