South Africa’s independent businesses could soon have an artificial intelligence assistant helping them manage sales, customers, and day-to-day operations as commerce platform Yoco unveiled a suite of new digital tools aimed at easing the burden on entrepreneurs.
The launch comes at a time when many small businesses are battling subdued consumer spending and rising operating costs, with the latest survey showing that 46% of independent business owners feel less confident than they did at the start of the year. More than half said pressure on household spending had further dented their optimism.
Against this backdrop, the platform on Thursday announced more than 20 new products and features, including its first AI-powered business agent, in what the company describes as its biggest expansion since launching as a payments provider.
For many entrepreneurs, the announcement is about more than technology.
South Africa’s independent businesses, from neighbourhood cafés and salons to clothing stores and family-run retailers, often operate with limited staff and tight margins, leaving owners to juggle everything from stock management and bookkeeping to customer service and marketing.
