Why Data Monetisation Is the Next Growth Frontier for South African Businesses

Data has transformed from a passive by-product into a strategic asset, especially in today's digital-first economy.

For South African companies, embracing data monetisation isn’t just an innovation, it’s fast becoming the next growth frontier.

In this post, we’ll explore why, backed with local insights, forecasts, and real-world examples. Plus, you’ll find actionable steps and strong calls-to-action (CTAs) to drive momentum forward.

A Market Poised for Expansion

The global data monetisation market is booming:

• Estimated at USD 4.1 billion in 2024, expected to surge to USD 16.1 billion by 2033, a CAGR of ~15.8% (Source: imarc).

• Another analysis puts the global size at USD 3.47 billion in 2024, projecting growth to USD 12.62 billion by 2032 at a 17.5% CAGR (Source: Consultancy-me).

Although precise South Africa-specific figures are limited, Lucintel forecasts robust growth:

• South Africa’s data monetisation market, from sectors like BFSI, retail, telecoms, and healthcare, is expected to grow strongly through 2031 (Source: Lucintel).

• In the healthcare sector, it’s already USD 4.0 million in 2022, forecasted to reach USD 10.5 million by 2030, a 12.8% CAGR (Source: Grand View Research).

The bottom line: Data monetisation is not just trending globally, it’s emerging as a powerful growth lever here in South Africa.

Driving Forces Behind the Opportunity

Several key factors make data monetisation especially attractive locally:

a) Rising Data Volumes & Infrastructure Growth

• Growth in digital platforms, IoT, and mobile adoption is generating huge volumes of data. These can become monetisation goldmines.

• In a major development, Visa inaugurated its first African data centre in Johannesburg in July 2025, part of its $57 million investment plan. This underlines the rising economic importance of locally hosted data infrastructure (Source: Reuters).

b) Sector-by-Sector Momentum

• Financial services: Data is being leveraged for tailored customer experiences, better risk scoring, and revenue uplift.

• Healthcare & life sciences: With revenue growth projected into 2030, this sector is unlocking structured monetisation via software solutions (Source: Lucintel).

• E-commerce, retail, telecoms, manufacturing, energy, these are all ripe for data-driven monetisation opportunities.

Challenges & What’s Needed to Scale

No opportunity is without hurdles. South African businesses face three primary constraints:

a) Skills & Analytics Talent Shortage

A widespread gap in qualified data professionals hampers the execution of monetisation strategies.

b) Regulatory and Privacy Complexities

Data handling must meet compliance standards like the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). Governance and trust must underpin monetisation models.

c) Leadership & Cultural Readiness

Academic research finds that senior executives must actively champion data strategies. Lack of leadership focus can stall monetisation efforts.

Strategic Approaches to Monetisation

South African businesses can tap into several proven models:

• Aggregated data licensing: Package anonymised insights for sale or sharing.

• Insight-as-a-service platforms: Provide analytics as subscription offerings, especially effective for financial, retail, and healthcare sectors.

• Data marketplaces & exchanges: Collaborative platforms enable multiple organisations to generate value from shared data.

• Embedded finance and IoT-based models: Emerging trends in offering finance services or usage-based data offerings through digital devices.

How Symbyte Helps You Lead the Charge

Symbyte provides the ideal toolkit to make data monetisation a reality:

Next Steps 

1. Book a Free Strategy Session
   Let’s explore which data assets your business can monetise, and how.

2. Start with a Pilot Project
   We recommend launching a healthcare or financial insights pilot, sectors showing early traction locally.

3. Download the Insight Whitepaper
   A deeper dive on overcoming regulation and building monetisation-ready pipelines.

4. Join Symbyte’s Data Roundtable
   Learn, share, and discuss the evolving data monetisation landscape with peers and experts.

 

Data monetisation promises not just an additional revenue stream, but a strategic shift in how South African businesses define value. With global and local trends pointing upward, the time to act is now. Symbyte is here to ensure your organisation doesn't just participate, but leads.

Want to get started on crafting your data monetisation strategy? Get in touch, we’re ready when you are.

---

References:

• Data Monetization Market Size, Share, Trends and Forecast by Method, Organization Size, End Use, and Region, 2025-2033 - imarc
• Data Monetization Market in South Africa - Lucintel
• South Africa Healthcare Data Monetization Solutions Market Size & Outlook - Grand View Research
• Visa opens first Africa data centre in Johannesburg - Reuters