Leveraging Information Technology for Growth in Rural Small and Medium Enterprises

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are widely recognized as key drivers of economic growth and development, particularly in developing regions. Rural SMEs (RuSMEs) in particular, empower local communities by creating jobs and developing skills. However, RuSMEs in South Africa’s North-West Province and Zimbabwe’s Masvingo Province experience major challenges in implementing information technology (IT) due to infrastructural and financial restraints. This study aims to assess IT adoption among RuSMEs, identifying barriers and proposing strategies for sustainable growth. This study used a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) following PRISMA guidelines, analyzing peer-reviewed research from 2021–2025 on IT adoption and sustainability in rural SMEs. Data were obtained from Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect, using thematic coding and conceptual frameworks (UTAUT, TOE). The results expose extremely low IT adoption among these two provinces. This study concludes that the low adoption is caused by barriers shared in the provinces: including high costs, limited digital literacy, poor infrastructure, and weak government support. Recommendations include reducing technology costs through subsidies, enhancing rural digital infrastructure, implementing customized ICT training, promoting collaborative networks, and strengthening policy support. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies, comparative regional analyses, and assessing the effectiveness of targeted interventions and digital financial services.