Samsung Maintains Level 1 B-BBEE Rating for Seven Years In A Row

Remarkable Milestone – Affirming its Commitment to Continued Development & Growth in South Africa

Samsung South Africa has reached a remarkable milestone by maintaining its Level 1 B-BBEE (Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment) rating for seven consecutive years—an affirmation of its authentic commitment to transformation and inclusive economic development in the country.

This sustained achievement highlights Samsung’s unwavering efforts to drive meaningful change, not just within the company, but across South Africa’s broader economic landscape. As a leader in innovation and technology, Samsung continues to set the benchmark through its multi-faceted B-BBEE strategy, which spans employment equity, enterprise development, skills training, and socio-economic upliftment.

A Legacy of Transformation Through Action

Samsung’s success is driven in part by its R280-million Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP), launched in partnership with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) in 2019. Now in its seventh year, the programme is projected to have a lasting impact on job creation and the empowerment of small businesses. It has effectively enabled Samsung to integrate black-owned SMMEs into its supply chain and helped catalyze economic growth in underserved communities.

Building Skills and Bridging Gaps

Among Samsung’s most impactful initiatives is the MICTSETA-accredited Young Technician Programme, designed to equip learners with practical and theoretical skills to gain employment within the electronics service sector. The structured 12-month programme combines workplace experience with technical training—creating a pipeline of skilled professionals ready for the job market.

Additionally, the Samsung External Bursary Programme continues to support financially disadvantaged students pursuing undergraduate or honours degrees, with a special emphasis on students living with disabilities. In 2024 alone, the programme funded 122 students, 82 of whom are living with disabilities—demonstrating Samsung’s dedication to inclusive education and long-term capacity building.

Empowering Through Technology and Innovation

Samsung has collaborated with universities and accredited training providers to empower 1,440 software developers and technicians, many of whom have gone on to pursue careers or start businesses in the ICT sector. A significant number of these graduates are women—further proof of Samsung’s dedication to gender inclusivity in traditionally male-dominated industries.

The company’s innovation-led approach extends to the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC), where students learn cutting-edge skills in AI, IoT, Big Data, and coding—skills essential to thrive in the 4IR (Fourth Industrial Revolution). Meanwhile, the Solve for Tomorrow (SFT) competition empowers Grade 10 and 11 learners from disadvantaged schools to use STEM to solve real-world community challenges—nurturing a new generation of tech-savvy problem solvers.

Enterprise Development and Sustainable Growth

As part of its enterprise development focus, Samsung continues to support Black-Owned and Black-Women Owned QSEs and EMEs by integrating them into its value chain in fields such as logistics, sales, marketing, and recruitment. A third phase of this programme, including a further R60-million investment, was launched in 2021 and is rolling out over three years.

Additionally, through its e-waste programme, Samsung not only promotes environmental responsibility but also job creation and entrepreneurial opportunities in sustainability-focused sectors.

A Vision That Transcends Compliance

Samsung’s consistent Level 1 B-BBEE status is more than a compliance metric—it’s a reflection of a vision rooted in transformation, empowerment, and social progress. By aligning its business strategy with the national development agenda, Samsung continues to foster economic participation, support education, and invest in the future of South Africa’s youth.

Seven years of transformation leadership proves that when commitment meets action, remarkable change is not only possible—it’s sustainable.