SA SMBs are AI-Ready – ASUS Report Shows Local Businesses Are Already Seeing Real ROI

South African SMEs are not just AI-curious—they’re AI-ready.

A new report from ASUS, titled the 2025 Future of SMBs, reveals that 77% of South African small and midsize businesses (SMBs) are poised to adopt AI tools immediately. Even more impressively, over half of them are already seeing measurable business outcomes from their AI adoption strategies.

At a time when many global markets are still stuck in the “exploration” phase of AI, local SMBs are proving they’re not just ready to engage—they’re already reaping the benefits.

“There’s real momentum behind AI adoption in South Africa,” says Marce Heath, Business Head of Marketing at ASUS South Africa. “Instead of holding back, businesses are embracing these tools to solve real challenges and unlock new opportunities.”

From Hype to ROI: The Numbers Speak

The ASUS survey, conducted across 101 South African business leaders in various sectors, paints a clear picture of accelerating digital maturity:

• 77% of SMBs say they’re AI-ready

• 51% are already seeing real-world business benefits

• 43% expect to see measurable impact within 1–2 years

• 92% believe AI adoption helps attract and retain younger talent

From improving day-to-day efficiency to enabling smarter, faster decision-making, AI is clearly becoming an operational cornerstone—not just a buzzword. The top cited benefits by respondents include:

• Improved productivity and operational efficiency (76%)

• Stronger data insights and analytics (67%)

• Faster decision-making (54%)

AI Adoption with Purpose

While enthusiasm is high, what’s notable is the calculated approach South African SMBs are taking. Data security, ongoing system maintenance, and keeping pace with the fast-moving tech landscape remain top of mind—indicating that local businesses are focused on long-term, sustainable transformation over quick wins.

This mindset aligns with ASUS’s global study across 32 markets, which shows SMBs around the world using AI to bridge gaps—be they geographic, operational, or talent-related.

In South Africa’s case, many SMBs are opting for AI-enabled growth over hyper-scaling. It’s a smart move—especially in an economy where agility, adaptability, and digital competitiveness are critical.

ASUS Expert Series: Tools for the AI Era

To meet this demand, ASUS has introduced the Expert P Series: a range of laptops and desktops tailored to AI-driven work environments. These tools include features like:

• AI ExpertMeet with real-time translation and transcription

• Automated meeting summaries

• Smart system optimisation and watermarking

• Enterprise-grade security for hybrid teams

Built with Windows 11 Pro, the devices are designed for seamless collaboration and secure, remote-enabled productivity.

“Technology should accelerate growth, not complicate it,” Heath adds. “With our AI-ready devices, we’re equipping South African businesses with practical, secure tools that support how they work today and into the future.”

Why This Matters for Local SMBs

The AI conversation in South Africa is maturing fast—and SMBs are proving they’re no longer waiting for a perfect digital roadmap to get started. They’re leaning into AI to future-proof their operations, enhance workforce productivity, and attract younger, digitally native talent.

As AI continues to shape global business ecosystems, South African SMBs are clearly not just ready to participate—they’re ready to lead.

Want to read the full report?
Access the ASUS 2025 Future of SMBs Whitepaper here