Introduction – The Future Belongs to the Inclusive
In today’s digital world, the true measure of technological progress is not only in innovation or efficiency, but also in who benefits from it. Across Africa, millions of people living with disabilities remain excluded from digital tools, resources, and services, limiting their access to education, employment, and full societal participation. Fetsi Data Technologies recognizes that inclusion is not merely a social responsibility; it is a strategic advantage.
Our flagship platform, FETSI Access, is our response: an AI-powered platform that ensures people living with disabilities have equitable access to resources, services, and opportunities across the continent. we reimagine accessibility through intelligent design and purpose-driven technology, we aim to create an Africa where digital innovation serves everyone, without exception.
The Birth of FETSI Access
The journey toward FETSI Access began with a stark realization: despite technological advancements across Africa, individuals with disabilities often remain marginalized. Mainstream digital tools frequently overlook diverse accessibility needs, rendering essential services — from education to employment — challenging to access or entirely out of reach.
This gap is not merely theoretical. In South Africa, approximately 3.3 million people live with disabilities, comprising about 5% of the population a figure that excludes children under five, individuals in institutions, and those with mental illnesses, suggesting the actual prevalence is higher. Regionally, the prevalence is even higher; in Sub-Saharan Africa, estimates suggest that between 10% and 20% of the population is affected by disabilities. Globally, the World Health Organization reports that 1.3 billion people — or 16% of the world’s population — experience significant disability.
Recognizing this disparity, our team at FETSI Data Technologies embarked on creating a unified platform where access is seamless, intuitive, and empowering. FETSI Access was designed to bridge systemic gaps, providing a centralized hub for users to connect with services that promote independence and participation.
Our philosophy is clear: technology should empower, not exclude. Every feature, interface, and workflow are developed with empathy, guided by user feedback, and informed by principles of universal design and accessibility standards.
Designing with Purpose: Accessibility Meets Innovation
Under Boitumelo Makgoba’s visionary leadership, we at FETSI Data Technologies approach technology development through a lens of impact, equity, and inclusivity. Her strategic foresight ensures that our solutions do more than function — they empower, connect, and transform lives.
FETSI Access is being designed as a living ecosystem that intelligently links people with opportunities, resources, and support tailored to their needs. Every aspect of the platform is grounded in human-centered design principles, ensuring that technology amplifies potential rather than creating barriers.
Through this approach, the platform achieves three core objectives:
- Intuitive Access to Opportunities
- Personalized Guidance: Smart systems recommend resources and connections that match individual needs, ensuring every user finds the most relevant support.
- Connection and Collaboration: Beyond resources, Fetsi Access fosters meaningful connections with organizations, partners, and support networks to promote collaboration, and community growth.
Boitumelo’s leadership demonstrates that the future of technology is inclusive, intelligent, and purpose driven. We are designing solutions that place people at the center and exemplifies how innovation and accessibility together can shape a more equitable digital future.
Inclusion as a Strategic Advantage
While social impact is at the heart of our vision, our platform also demonstrates that inclusive technology is a driver of strategic advantage for organizations and governments.
Companies and institutions that integrate accessibility into their operations gain:
- Expanded Reach: Inclusion opens new markets and connects organizations to communities that were once underserved.
- Enhanced Reputation: Corporate responsibility and ethical build trust among employees, customers, and partners.
- Innovation Boost: Designing for accessibility inspires teams to develop smarter, more flexible, and future-proof solutions.
we exemplify this philosophy that collaborating with public and private sector partners, we show that inclusive AI solutions are not optional add-ons — they are core to sustainable, competitive, and responsible growth.
Visionary Leadership in Technology
Boitumelo Makgoba is redefining what inclusive innovation looks like in South Africa’s digital landscape. Her vision drives FETSI Data Technologies’ mission to build technology that doesn’t just connect systems it connects people.
Under her leadership, FETSI Access was engineered as a benchmark for accessibility and ethical AI. The platform’s foundation is built on intelligent automation, cloud resilience, and secure data frameworks that reflect Boitumelo’s belief in purposeful innovation. Her approach blends AI-powered personalization, ensuring users receive relevant support; scalable infrastructure, enabling access across Africa; and strong data ethics, protecting privacy while empowering progress. Through these pillars, Boitumelo has positioned FETSI Access as a trusted, human-centered innovation, proving that technology can be both powerful and compassionate.
We’re building a future where accessibility is the foundation of innovation. True progress begins when technology works for everyone.”— Boitumelo Makgoba, CEO, FETSI Data Technologies
Impact on People Living with Disabilities
The measurable impact of Fetsi Access is transforming lives by providing Increased independence as it allows our users to access mobility aids, assistive technology, and services online reduces reliance on intermediaries. The Fetsi Access is being built as a catalyst for real inclusion a movement reimagining how people living with disabilities experience technology and opportunity. At its heart, it’s about restoring independence, dignity, and access through innovation that understands human needs first. The platform serves as a digital doorway to resources, education, and empowerment, helping individuals navigate life with greater confidence and connection. It’s more than a tool; it’s a symbol of what’s possible when technology becomes empathetic — designed to listen, include, and uplift. Every feature, every interaction, and every outcome are shaped to break barriers and create a future where ability — not disability — defines potential.
Leadership Spotlight: Boitumelo Makgoba
Leading this vision is our CEO, Boitumelo Makgoba, whose unwavering commitment to inclusive innovation has positioned her among Africa’s most forward-thinking leaders. She was named one of the 92 Leaders Shaping Africa in 2025 by Crest Africa and recognized as one of The Most Influential Voices in Communication for 2025. Boitumelo is also an awardee of the Global Excellence Summit & Awards 2025 (GESA) under the category of Excellence in Tech & Innovation, and the vision behind FETSI Access has earned a nomination for the Women in Tech Global Awards 2025.
Boitumelo’s leadership philosophy is rooted in a simple principle: technology should work for everyone. Under her guidance, FETSI Data Technologies has transformed the abstract concept of “AI for Good” into a tangible, impactful platform that directly addresses systemic inequalities.
Her global recognitions underscore the growing importance of inclusive innovation worldwide highlights Fetsi data technologies role as a thought leader in accessible AI solutions.
The Road Ahead: Partnerships and the FETSI Digital Futures Summit 2025
Looking ahead, FETSI Data Technologies is strengthening partnerships with leading technology providers, governments, and NGOs to expand the reach and impact of FETSI Access across Africa.
A major milestone in this journey is the FETSI Digital Futures Summit 2025, a landmark gathering of over 2,000 delegates united by a shared vision for an inclusive digital future. The summit will showcase how AI and cloud technologies can power accessibility and opportunity at scale.
Key highlights include:
- Inclusion as a National Imperative – Exploring how governments and industry leaders can embed inclusion into national digital transformation strategies while retaining top ICT talent to ensure sustainability and resilience.
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AI Inclusion for People Living with Disabilities – Are digital advances serving people living with disabilities? Explore how inaccessible platforms, unrepresented voices, and exclusionary AI limit opportunity — and why inclusive design is key to Africa’s digital future.
• Policy Dialogues – bringing together leaders to shape national strategies for digital inclusion, responsible AI adoption and ensuring that accessibility remains at the centre of national agendas. - Cybersecurity for Africa’s Digital Decade: Trust, Talent & Ethical Leadership – Addressing the human side of cybersecurity by promoting trust, digital ethics, and capacity building across the continent.
- Cross-Industry Disruption & Smart Infrastructure – Examining how AI, data, and cloud innovations are transforming critical sectors including water, energy, mobility, and public services.
- Collaborating for Skills & Digital Equity – Building partnerships that strengthen Africa’s digital workforce, ensuring every learner, innovator, and entrepreneur has access to future-ready skills
Economic Equity Through Innovation – Demonstrating how inclusive technology and AI-driven entrepreneurship can power equitable economic participation and sustainable development.
Through the Summit, we reaffirms its mission: inclusive technology is not an afterthought — it is the foundation of Africa’s digital and economic transformation while ensuring young people get access to digital skills to thrive in the digital economy
Conclusion – Inclusion is Innovation
At the heart of our mission is that AI for Good must create measurable impact. By placing people living with disabilities at the center of digital innovation, we are redefining what it means to lead in technology not just in Africa, but globally.
For businesses, governments, and communities, the message is clear: true innovation begins with inclusion. FETSI Access demonstrates that when technology is designed for everyone, it benefits society as a whole, unlocking potential and opportunities that were previously out of reach.
We are proud to continue this journey, shaping a digital future that is accessible, equitable, and powered by purpose-driven AI, where inclusion is not an add-on, but a core driver of progress.
