These are the 10 most in‑demand tech roles in South Africa’s job market

Mthobisi Nozulela|Published

South Africa’s tech jobs market is showing clear signs of recovery,

Image: Freepik

South Africa’s tech jobs market is showing clear signs of recovery, with a new report revealing a notable uptick in demand for specialised digital skills.

According to Pnet’s latest report, which looks at hiring activity across the local labour market, technology jobs in the country have increased significantly, with roles such as Business Analysts, Data Analysts and Software Developers among the most advertised as employers step up recruitment in areas critical to digital transformation and data capability.

"After a prolonged decline, the tech sector is showing its first meaningful signs of recovery," the report noted.

"Over the past five months, more tech vacancies have entered the job market – a notable shift after several years dominated by global and local announcements of large-scale layoffs across IT and technology companies. As demand contracted worldwide, tech job opportunities decreased, including in South Africa".

The report added that "year-on-year, tech vacancies have increased by +18%, with a +10% month-on-month rise from September to October 2025, signalling a clear and sustained uplift in the sector".

According to Pnet, these are the top 10 most in‑demand tech jobs currently advertised in South Africa’s labour market.

Business Analyst

Business Analysts play a crucial role in aligning business needs with technology solutions. They analyse processes, identify improvement opportunities and translate requirements into clear, actionable specifications for technical teams.

Data Analyst

Data Analysts interpret and transform raw data into insights that support decision-making across the organisation. They identify trends, create dashboards and provide analytical recommendations that help businesses improve performance.

Data Engineer

Data Engineers design, build and maintain the data infrastructure that allows organisations to store, process and access large volumes of information.

Software Developer

Software Developers build, test and maintain applications that power business operations, customer experiences and digital products.

Full Stack Developer

Full Stack Developers work across both front-end and backend systems, giving them the versatility to build complete applications from user interface to server logic.

Java Developer

Java Developers specialise in building robust, scalable software systems using the Java programming language. They are widely employed in enterprise environments, particularly in financial services, telecommunications and large transactional systems.

Data Scientist

Data Scientists extract strategic insights from large, complex datasets using advanced analytics, machine learning and statistical modelling.

IT Project Manager

IT Project Managers lead the planning, execution and delivery of technology projects. They coordinate teams, manage budgets and timelines, and ensure solutions meet business requirements.

C# Developer

C# Developers build applications using Microsoft’s .NET framework, often supporting financial systems, enterprise software and web-based solutions.

Scrum Master

Scrum Masters facilitate agile ways of working, enabling teams to collaborate effectively and deliver incremental value.

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mthobisi.nozulela@iol.co.za

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