South Africa’s tech scene is a R1-billion-plus powerhouse. That’s no small feat for a nation often overshadowed by global giants like Silicon Valley or Shenzhen. Here, the biggest IT companies in South Africa have carved out a space, thriving amid economic turbulence and global shifts. Today, I’m unpacking the biggest IT companies in South Africa—focusing on the top 10 local players shaking up the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). These aren’t just numbers on a chart. They’re stories of grit, innovation, and a uniquely South African hustle.
The past few years have been a rollercoaster. Covid-19 turbocharged South African tech growth, then supply chains choked, wars rattled markets, and shares took a hit. Yet, these companies endure. Some are household names; others, quiet giants. Let’s dive into who they are, what they do, and why they matter in 2025.
Inside the Biggest IT Companies in South Africa
These rankings come from market capitalization data pulled straight from the JSE. I’ve zeroed in on the biggest IT companies in South Africa—not the offshore heavyweights like Naspers or Prosus. Think of this as a celebration of South African tech at its finest. Ready? Here’s the countdown.
1. Datatec Limited
Market Cap: R8.44 billion | Share Price: R37.77
Datatec sits at the top. Founded in 1986, this Johannesburg-born multinational has been a fixture for nearly four decades. It’s not flashy, but it’s steady—a backbone of South Africa’s IT landscape. The company operates through four divisions: Westcon-Comstor (tech distribution), Logicalis (managed IT services), Analysys Mason (consulting), and Datatec Financial Services. That’s a broad net, catching everything from hardware to high-level strategy.
Back in 1994, Datatec listed on the JSE. Three years later, it snapped up Logicalis Networks, kicking off a global push. Then came Westcon in the US—a majority stake that cemented its international cred. By 2022, it was posting an operating profit of $82.1 million (R1.2 billion). Not bad for a firm that started in a country wrestling with apartheid’s twilight.
What’s the secret? Scale and adaptability. Datatec’s been navigating supply chain chaos and geopolitical storms while keeping its footing. Its share price wobbled between 2018 and 2022, but it’s held firm. In 2025, with AI and cloud tech surging, Datatec’s diversified portfolio keeps it relevant. It’s the kind of company that doesn’t chase headlines—it just delivers.
2. Allied Electronics Corporation (Altron)
Market Cap: R3.93 billion | Share Price: R9.49
Altron’s a name you’ve likely heard. Born in 1965, this veteran’s been around long enough to see South Africa transform. It’s the second-biggest IT player here, with fingers in smart IoT, managed services, digital transformation, fintech, and healthtech. Beyond our borders, it’s got a toehold in the Middle East and Australia. That’s ambition with roots.
The company hummed along nicely until late 2020. Then came the Bytes Technology spinoff—a bold move to let its UK-based subsidiary fly solo. Shares tanked from R34.60 to R9.33 overnight. Ouch. Since then, Altron’s hovered around that lower mark. But don’t count it out. Its diverse offerings mean it’s not tied to one sinking ship. Smart IoT, for instance, taps into South Africa’s growing need for connected solutions—think smart cities or mining tech.
Altron’s story is resilience. It’s weathered a brutal share drop and kept pushing. In 2025, as local industries digitize, Altron’s well-positioned to climb back. Not the flashiest, but it’s got staying power.
3. Alviva Holdings Limited
Market Cap: R2.29 billion | Share Price: R18.71
Alviva’s a beast with 15 arms. This holding company oversees a sprawl of businesses—distributors like Axiz and Pinnacle, data infrastructure firms like Datacentrix, even a renewable energy outfit called Solareff. It’s the third-largest IT name in South Africa, and it’s built on variety. When one sector dips, another picks up the slack.
The Covid-19 hit was rough. Shares slumped hard in 2020. But here’s the kicker: they bounced back. By 2022, Alviva was on an upward swing, defying the gloom that dragged down global tech. That’s a testament to its mix—ICT equipment, insurance solutions, and green energy all under one roof. In South Africa, where power cuts still haunt us, Solareff’s solar focus is a quiet game-changer.
Alviva’s not a startup darling. It’s a grinder, stitching together a patchwork of IT needs. In 2025, with hybrid work and sustainability on the rise, it’s got room to grow.
4. Capital Appreciation Limited
Market Cap: R2.16 billion | Share Price: R1.64
Don’t let the low share price fool you. Capital Appreciation punches above its weight. At R2.16 billion, it’s a lean, focused player in South Africa’s IT game. Payments and software are its bread and butter—think fintech that powers transactions and tech that keeps businesses humming. It’s less sprawling than Altron or Alviva, but that’s its strength: laser focus.
Founded more recently than some peers, it listed on the JSE in 2015. Since then, it’s carved a niche in a crowded market. The share price might look modest, but the market cap tells a different story—steady value in a volatile world. In South Africa, where cashless payments are spiking, Capital Appreciation’s got a sweet spot.
It’s not loud. It doesn’t need to be. As digital wallets and e-commerce swell in 2025, this company’s quietly cashing in.
5. AYO Tech Solutions
Market Cap: R956.48 million | Share Price: R2.62
AYO’s a wildcard. With a market cap just shy of a billion, it’s fifth on our list. The company’s a tech conglomerate—software, cybersecurity, and consulting all roll into its portfolio. It’s tied to the controversial Sekunjalo Group, which has stirred headlines over governance and politics. But strip that away, and AYO’s still a force.
Launched in 1996, it’s grown through acquisitions and bold bets. Its share price has been a bumpy ride—peaking high, then settling low. By 2022, it was at R2.62, reflecting caution from investors. Yet, its reach in South Africa’s public and private sectors keeps it afloat. Cybersecurity, especially, is a hot ticket as ransomware spikes locally.
AYO’s a gamble with grit. In 2025, if it navigates the noise, it could surprise us all.
6. EOH Holdings
Market Cap: R953.34 million | Share Price: R5.38
EOH is a phoenix—or at least trying to be. Once a darling of the JSE, it hit turbulence with governance scandals in the late 2010s. By 2022, its market cap sat at R953.34 million. Not what it once was, but still in the game. It’s a broad IT services firm—software, outsourcing, cloud solutions, you name it.
Founded in 1998, EOH rode the early 2000s tech wave. Then came the fall. Share prices crashed from double digits to single figures. Recovery’s been slow, but steady. In South Africa, where businesses crave affordable IT, EOH’s still got a pulse. Its pivot to cloud and digital services aligns with 2025’s trends.
It’s a comeback story. Not there yet, but fighting.
7. Mustek Limited
Market Cap: R901.61 million | Share Price: R15.89
Mustek’s a hardware king. At R901.61 million, it’s seventh on our list. Founded in 1987, this distributor’s been shoving PCs, printers, and tech gear into South African hands for decades. It’s not sexy—software gets the buzz—but Mustek’s reliable. Think of it as the guy who keeps the lights on.
Shares held steady through 2018-2022, with a slight uptick by ’22. That’s rare in a pandemic pinch. In 2025, with remote work still king, Mustek’s hardware focus keeps it relevant. Plus, a takeover nod in early 2025 hints at bigger moves ahead.
It’s quiet. It’s solid. It’s Mustek.
8. PBT Group Limited
Market Cap: R794.37 million | Share Price: R7.50
PBT’s a data nerd’s dream. Market cap: R794.37 million. It’s all about business intelligence, data warehousing, and analytics—tools that turn raw numbers into gold. Founded in 2003, it’s younger than some rivals but punches hard in a data-hungry world.
Shares have been stable, hovering around R7.50 by 2022. No wild swings here—just consistent value. In South Africa, where industries like mining and retail lean on insights, PBT’s got a niche. As AI and big data bloom in 2025, it’s primed to shine.
Small but mighty. That’s PBT.
9. Sebata Holdings Limited
Market Cap: R293.03 million | Share Price: R2.55
Sebata’s a scrappy underdog. At R293.03 million, it’s ninth. It’s a mix of IT services and software, with a focus on utilities and public sector tech—think water meter systems or municipal software. Not glamorous, but vital.
Shares took a hit post-2018, sliding to R2.55 by 2022. It’s been a rough ride. Still, Sebata’s tied to South Africa’s infrastructure—think Eskom woes or city upgrades. In 2025, if government spending ticks up, Sebata could catch a break.
It’s niche. It’s tough. It’s hanging on.
10. Etion Limited
Market Cap: R282.21 million | Share Price: R0.50
Etion rounds out the top 10. At R282.21 million, it’s small but scrappy. This firm’s into electronics and tech solutions—think rail systems or security gear. Founded in 1993, it’s got roots, even if its share price (R0.50 in 2022) screams bargain bin.
It’s been a rocky road. Shares tanked over years, but Etion’s still kicking. In South Africa, where transport and security tech matter, it’s got a pulse. 2025 could be a pivot if it plays its cards right.
Tiny. Tenacious. That’s Etion.
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The Big Picture
These 10 companies—Datatec to Etion—represent South Africa’s IT heartbeat. They’re not Amazon or Google, but they don’t need to be. They’ve grown here, amid load shedding, economic wobbles, and global chaos. Some soared, some stumbled. Together, they’re a snapshot of a sector that’s punching up.
The biggest IT companies in South Africa aren’t just about market caps or share prices. They’re about resilience—building something lasting in a tough landscape. As we sit here in March 2025, with AI, cloud, and fintech reshaping the game, these firms are holding their own. That’s worth watching.
Biggest IT Companies in South Africa
| Rank | Company | Market Cap | Share Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Datatec Limited | R8.44 billion | R37.77 |
| 2 | Allied Electronics Corporation (Altron) | R3.93 billion | R9.49 |
| 3 | Alviva Holdings Limited | R2.29 billion | R18.71 |
| 4 | Capital Appreciation Limited | R2.16 billion | R1.64 |
| 5 | AYO Tech Solutions | R956.48 million | R2.62 |
| 6 | EOH Holdings | R953.34 million | R5.38 |
| 7 | Mustek Limited | R901.61 million | R15.89 |
| 8 | PBT Group Limited | R794.37 million | R7.50 |
| 9 | Sebata Holdings Limited | R293.03 million | R2.55 |
| 10 | Etion Limited | R282.21 million | R0.50 |
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