Technology adoption and social media marketing performance of small and medium enterprises
Abstract:
Purpose: This study examined how small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) use technology, and how well they perform on social media marketing. The objectives of the study were to determine the most suitable methods for evaluating the digital competence of SMEs to achieve customer engagement, and to evaluate the challenges SMEs face in acquiring digital competence for enhanced customer engagement among Sub-Saharan SMEs.
Methods: The study synthesized findings from existing academic literature published between 2015 and 2025 using a qualitative research design that included a systematic literature review and thematic content analysis.
Results: The findings revealed that assessing employees' perceived usefulness and ease of use of digital tools, evaluating performance metrics related to customer engagement, and analyzing investment in digital training are suitable methods for evaluating digital competence. The study also identified significant challenges, including a lack of necessary digital skills, financial constraints, inadequate technological infrastructure, and low digital literacy.
Limitations: The generalizability of the this study is limited because of using only qualitative analysis. Also, focusing on a single source of data (secondary qualitative) which may have context specific issues limited this study also.
Contribution: Given that technology in marking is a very significant area in the management and sustainability of organizations, especially SMEs to be able to compete with bigger and more established businesses, this study makes a case for social media marketing integration into the operations of SMEs, and ways to evaluate their digital competence so as to achieve customer engagement.
Downloads

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Achieng, M. S., & Malatji, M. (2022). Digital transformation of small and medium enterprises in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review. The Journal for Transdisciplinary Research in Southern Africa, 18(1), 1257. doi:https://doi.org/10.4102/td.v18i1.1257
Aiastui, E. B., Arruti, A., & Morillo, R. C. (2021). A systematic literature review about the level of digital competences defined by DigCompEdu in higher education. Aula abierta, 50(4), 841-850. doi:https://doi.org/10.17811/rifie.50.4.2021.841-850
Akpe, O., Mgbame, A. C., Ogbuefi, E., Abayomi, A. A., & Adeyelu, O. O. (2023). Technology acceptance and digital readiness in underserved small business sectors. Journal of Frontiers in Multidisciplinary Research, 4(1), 252-268. doi:https://doi.org/10.54660/.ijfmr.2023.4.1.252-268
Al-Emran, M., & Griffy-Brown, C. (2023). The role of technology adoption in sustainable development: Overview, opportunities, challenges, and future research agendas. Technology in Society, 73. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2023.102240
Alkhasoneh, O. M., Jamaludin, H., Bin Zahar, A. R. i., & Al-Sharafi, M. A. (2025). Drivers of social media use among SMEs and its impact on brand awareness and customer engagement. Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Administration, 17(3), 595-615. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/APJBA-02-2024-0102
Amoah, J., & Jibril, A. B. (2021). Social media as a promotional tool towards SME’s development: Evidence from the financial industry in a developing economy. Cogent Business & Management, 8(1), 1-21. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2021.1923357
Bashir, S., & Daniels, C. (2022). Digital skills in Africa. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10779/uos.23493371.v1
Binsaeed, R. H., Yousaf, Z., Grigorescu, A., Chitescu, R. I., Nassani, A. A., & Samoila, A. (2023). Customer engagement and customer relationship management capabilities’ effects on innovation performance and customer distrust’s moderating role. Sustainability, 15(12), 1-14. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129475
Dankwa, D. D., & Yeboah, J. (2025). Digitalization, Customer Engagement, and Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises: Emerging Market Context Digital Transformation in the Customer Experience (pp. 3-30): Apple Academic Press.
Disse, S., & Sommer, C. (2020). Digitalisation and its impact on SME finance in Sub-Saharan Africa: Reviewing the hype and actual developments: Discussion Paper.
Drydakis, N. (2022). Improving entrepreneurs’ digital skills and firms’ digital competencies through business apps training: A study of small firms. Sustainability, 14(8), 1-23. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084417
Ebuka, A. A., Emmanuel, D., & Idigo, P. (2023). Artificial intelligence as a catalyst for the sustainability of Small and Medium Scale Businesses (SMEs) in Nigeria. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 5(1), 1-11. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/amor.v5i1.1719
Ebuka, A. A., Nzewi, H. N., Gerald, E., & Ezinne, K. M. (2020). Digital literacy in a post Coronavirus era: a management perspective for small businesses in Africa. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 1(3), 203-212. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/amor.v1i3.410
Frimpong, S. E., Agyapong, G., & Agyapong, D. (2022). Financial literacy, access to digital finance and performance of SMEs: Evidence From Central region of Ghana. Cogent Economics & Finance, 10(1), 1-21. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2022.2121356
Fu, C.-J., Silalahi, A. D. K., Yang, L.-W., & Eunike, I. J. (2024). Advancing SME performance: a novel application of the technological-organizational-environment framework in social media marketing adoption. Cogent Business & Management, 11(1), 1-24. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2360509
Ghobakhloo, M., Iranmanesh, M., Vilkas, M., Grybauskas, A., & Amran, A. (2022). Drivers and barriers of industry 4.0 technology adoption among manufacturing SMEs: a systematic review and transformation roadmap. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, 33(6), 1029-1058. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-12-2021-0505
Grani?, A. (2024). Technology adoption at individual level: toward an integrated overview. Universal access in the information society, 23(2), 843-858. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-023-00974-3
Iyelolu, T. V., Agu, E. E., Idemudia, C., & Ijomah, T. I. (2024). Improving customer engagement and crm for smes with ai driven solutions and future enhancements. International journal of engineering research and development, 20(8), 1150-1168.
James, J. (2021). Confronting the scarcity of digital skills among the poor in developing countries. Development Policy Review, 39(2), 324-339. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/dpr.12479
John, E. (2024). Show me your networks and i’ll tell you your future: entrepreneurial networks and SME performance. Cogent Business & Management, 11(1), 1-13. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2363433
John, E., Mwakalobo, B., & Bengesi, K. (2023). Influence of social competence on performance of small and medium enterprises (SMES): Empirical evidence from Tanzania’s manufacturing SMES. Journal of Co-operative and Business Studies (JCBS), 6(1).
Lewandowska, A. (2021). Interactions between investments in innovation and SME competitiveness in the peripheral regions. Journal of International Studies, 14(1), 285-307. doi:https://doi.org/10.14254/2071-8330.2021/14-1/20
Mapunda, M. (2021). Determinants of e-marketing adoption by small and medium enterprises in African countries. African Journal of Applied Research, 7(2), 71-87.
Mashavira, N., Guvuriro, S., & Chipunza, C. (2022). Driving SMEs’ performance in South Africa: Investigating the role of performance appraisal practices and managerial competencies. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 15(7), 283. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm15070283
Mdhluli, M. E. (2024). The impact of digital technologies on SME business performance in South Africa. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (South Africa).
Mookerjee, J., & Chattopadhyay, S. (2022). Measuring The Adoption of social media & Internet Technology for Retailing: An Analysis of Consumer Behaviour. Mathematical Statistician and Engineering Applications, 71(2022), 12430-12450.
Msomi, T. S., & Kandolo, K. M. (2023). Sustaining small and medium-sized enterprises through financial awareness, access to digital finance in South Africa. Investment Management & Financial Innovations, 20(1), 317. doi:https://doi.org/10.21511/imfi.20(1).2023.27
Muazu, S., Inuwa, U., & Ibrahim, A. (2024). Relationship between perceived usefulness, perceived ease and e-marketing intention among SMES in Gombe state, Nigeria. KWASU Journal of the Business of Education, 4(1), 127-138.
Naatu, F., Selormey, F. S., & Naatu, S. (2025). Determinants of digital technology adoption in sub-Sahara Africa: Ghana. International Journal of Emerging Markets, 20(10), 4111-4133. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOEM-09-2023-1503
Nadkar, A. (2023). Importance of social media marketing on SMEs in South Africa. University of the Free State Repository. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11660/12592
Ollerenshaw, A., Corbett, J., & Thompson, H. (2021). Increasing the digital literacy skills of regional SMEs through high-speed broadband access. Small Enterprise Research, 28(2), 115-133. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/13215906.2021.1919913
Omowole, B. M., Olufemi-Philips, A., Ofadile, O., Eyo-Udo, N. L., & Ewim, S. E. (2024). Barriers and drivers of digital transformation in SMEs: A conceptual analysis. International Journal of Frontline Research in Multidisciplinary Studies, 5(2), 019-036. doi:https://doi.org/10.56781/ijsrst.2024.5.2.0037
Oyewobi, L., Adedayo, O. F., Olorunyomi, S. O., & Jimoh, R. A. (2023). Influence of social media adoption on the performance of construction small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Abuja–Nigeria. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 30(9), 4229-4252. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-01-2022-0039
Sánchez-Canut, S., Usart-Rodríguez, M., Grimalt-Álvaro, C., Martínez-Requejo, S., & Lores-Gómez, B. (2023). Professional digital competence: Definition, frameworks, measurement, and gender differences: A systematic literature review. Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, 2023(1), 8897227. doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/8897227
Shahadat, M. H., Nekmahmud, M., Ebrahimi, P., & Fekete-Farkas, M. (2023). Digital technology adoption in SMEs: what technological, environmental and organizational factors influence in emerging countries? Global Business Review. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/09721509221137199
Stofkova, J., Poliakova, A., Stofkova, K. R., Malega, P., Krejnus, M., Binasova, V., & Daneshjo, N. (2022). Digital skills as a significant factor of human resources development. Sustainability, 14(20), 13117. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013117
Swallehe, O. (2021). The Determinants of Adoption of Social Media Marketing Among SMEs in Tanzania. IUP Journal of Marketing Management, 20(1).
Telukdarie, A., Dube, T., Matjuta, P., & Philbin, S. (2023). The opportunities and challenges of digitalization for SME's. Procedia Computer Science, 217, 689-698.
Uluda?, C. Ç. (2023). Digital Literacy (Competency) And Readiness for Organizational Change: The Mediator Role of Resistance to Change. ??letme Ara?t?rmalar? Dergisi, 15(1), 704-717. doi:https://doi.org/10.20491/isarder.2023.1613
Umetiti, C. B., Nwafor, A. E., Arachie, A. E., & Ifeme, A. P. (2025). Digital literacy in the context of small and medium enterprises (SMEs): A performance dynamics. International Journal of Public Administration and Management Research, 11(1), 1-17.
Urban, B., & Maphathe, T. (2021). Social media marketing and customer engagement: a focus on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa. Journal of Contemporary Management, 18(1), 48-69. doi:https://doi.org/10.35683/jcm20065.96
Wattenberg, M. (2024). Integration of Successful Customer Engagement for SMEs on Social: Academic Conferences and publishing limited.
Wongkhamdi, T., Cooharojananone, N., & Khlaisang, J. (2020). E-commerce competence assessment mobile application development for SMEs in Thailand. doi:https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v14i11.11358
Zhao, Y., Llorente, A. M. P., & Gómez, M. C. S. (2021). Digital competence in higher education research: A systematic literature review. Computers & education, 168, 104212. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2021.104212
- Achieng, M. S., & Malatji, M. (2022). Digital transformation of small and medium enterprises in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review. The Journal for Transdisciplinary Research in Southern Africa, 18(1), 1257. doi:https://doi.org/10.4102/td.v18i1.1257
- Aiastui, E. B., Arruti, A., & Morillo, R. C. (2021). A systematic literature review about the level of digital competences defined by DigCompEdu in higher education. Aula abierta, 50(4), 841-850. doi:https://doi.org/10.17811/rifie.50.4.2021.841-850
- Akpe, O., Mgbame, A. C., Ogbuefi, E., Abayomi, A. A., & Adeyelu, O. O. (2023). Technology acceptance and digital readiness in underserved small business sectors. Journal of Frontiers in Multidisciplinary Research, 4(1), 252-268. doi:https://doi.org/10.54660/.ijfmr.2023.4.1.252-268
- Al-Emran, M., & Griffy-Brown, C. (2023). The role of technology adoption in sustainable development: Overview, opportunities, challenges, and future research agendas. Technology in Society, 73. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2023.102240
- Alkhasoneh, O. M., Jamaludin, H., Bin Zahar, A. R. i., & Al-Sharafi, M. A. (2025). Drivers of social media use among SMEs and its impact on brand awareness and customer engagement. Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Administration, 17(3), 595-615. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/APJBA-02-2024-0102
- Amoah, J., & Jibril, A. B. (2021). Social media as a promotional tool towards SME’s development: Evidence from the financial industry in a developing economy. Cogent Business & Management, 8(1), 1-21. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2021.1923357
- Bashir, S., & Daniels, C. (2022). Digital skills in Africa. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10779/uos.23493371.v1
- Binsaeed, R. H., Yousaf, Z., Grigorescu, A., Chitescu, R. I., Nassani, A. A., & Samoila, A. (2023). Customer engagement and customer relationship management capabilities’ effects on innovation performance and customer distrust’s moderating role. Sustainability, 15(12), 1-14. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129475
- Dankwa, D. D., & Yeboah, J. (2025). Digitalization, Customer Engagement, and Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises: Emerging Market Context Digital Transformation in the Customer Experience (pp. 3-30): Apple Academic Press.
- Disse, S., & Sommer, C. (2020). Digitalisation and its impact on SME finance in Sub-Saharan Africa: Reviewing the hype and actual developments: Discussion Paper.
- Drydakis, N. (2022). Improving entrepreneurs’ digital skills and firms’ digital competencies through business apps training: A study of small firms. Sustainability, 14(8), 1-23. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084417
- Ebuka, A. A., Emmanuel, D., & Idigo, P. (2023). Artificial intelligence as a catalyst for the sustainability of Small and Medium Scale Businesses (SMEs) in Nigeria. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 5(1), 1-11. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/amor.v5i1.1719
- Ebuka, A. A., Nzewi, H. N., Gerald, E., & Ezinne, K. M. (2020). Digital literacy in a post Coronavirus era: a management perspective for small businesses in Africa. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 1(3), 203-212. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/amor.v1i3.410
- Frimpong, S. E., Agyapong, G., & Agyapong, D. (2022). Financial literacy, access to digital finance and performance of SMEs: Evidence From Central region of Ghana. Cogent Economics & Finance, 10(1), 1-21. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2022.2121356
- Fu, C.-J., Silalahi, A. D. K., Yang, L.-W., & Eunike, I. J. (2024). Advancing SME performance: a novel application of the technological-organizational-environment framework in social media marketing adoption. Cogent Business & Management, 11(1), 1-24. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2360509
- Ghobakhloo, M., Iranmanesh, M., Vilkas, M., Grybauskas, A., & Amran, A. (2022). Drivers and barriers of industry 4.0 technology adoption among manufacturing SMEs: a systematic review and transformation roadmap. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, 33(6), 1029-1058. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-12-2021-0505
- Grani?, A. (2024). Technology adoption at individual level: toward an integrated overview. Universal access in the information society, 23(2), 843-858. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-023-00974-3
- Iyelolu, T. V., Agu, E. E., Idemudia, C., & Ijomah, T. I. (2024). Improving customer engagement and crm for smes with ai driven solutions and future enhancements. International journal of engineering research and development, 20(8), 1150-1168.
- James, J. (2021). Confronting the scarcity of digital skills among the poor in developing countries. Development Policy Review, 39(2), 324-339. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/dpr.12479
- John, E. (2024). Show me your networks and i’ll tell you your future: entrepreneurial networks and SME performance. Cogent Business & Management, 11(1), 1-13. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2363433
- John, E., Mwakalobo, B., & Bengesi, K. (2023). Influence of social competence on performance of small and medium enterprises (SMES): Empirical evidence from Tanzania’s manufacturing SMES. Journal of Co-operative and Business Studies (JCBS), 6(1).
- Lewandowska, A. (2021). Interactions between investments in innovation and SME competitiveness in the peripheral regions. Journal of International Studies, 14(1), 285-307. doi:https://doi.org/10.14254/2071-8330.2021/14-1/20
- Mapunda, M. (2021). Determinants of e-marketing adoption by small and medium enterprises in African countries. African Journal of Applied Research, 7(2), 71-87.
- Mashavira, N., Guvuriro, S., & Chipunza, C. (2022). Driving SMEs’ performance in South Africa: Investigating the role of performance appraisal practices and managerial competencies. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 15(7), 283. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm15070283
- Mdhluli, M. E. (2024). The impact of digital technologies on SME business performance in South Africa. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (South Africa).
- Mookerjee, J., & Chattopadhyay, S. (2022). Measuring The Adoption of social media & Internet Technology for Retailing: An Analysis of Consumer Behaviour. Mathematical Statistician and Engineering Applications, 71(2022), 12430-12450.
- Msomi, T. S., & Kandolo, K. M. (2023). Sustaining small and medium-sized enterprises through financial awareness, access to digital finance in South Africa. Investment Management & Financial Innovations, 20(1), 317. doi:https://doi.org/10.21511/imfi.20(1).2023.27
- Muazu, S., Inuwa, U., & Ibrahim, A. (2024). Relationship between perceived usefulness, perceived ease and e-marketing intention among SMES in Gombe state, Nigeria. KWASU Journal of the Business of Education, 4(1), 127-138.
- Naatu, F., Selormey, F. S., & Naatu, S. (2025). Determinants of digital technology adoption in sub-Sahara Africa: Ghana. International Journal of Emerging Markets, 20(10), 4111-4133. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOEM-09-2023-1503
- Nadkar, A. (2023). Importance of social media marketing on SMEs in South Africa. University of the Free State Repository. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11660/12592
- Ollerenshaw, A., Corbett, J., & Thompson, H. (2021). Increasing the digital literacy skills of regional SMEs through high-speed broadband access. Small Enterprise Research, 28(2), 115-133. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/13215906.2021.1919913
- Omowole, B. M., Olufemi-Philips, A., Ofadile, O., Eyo-Udo, N. L., & Ewim, S. E. (2024). Barriers and drivers of digital transformation in SMEs: A conceptual analysis. International Journal of Frontline Research in Multidisciplinary Studies, 5(2), 019-036. doi:https://doi.org/10.56781/ijsrst.2024.5.2.0037
- Oyewobi, L., Adedayo, O. F., Olorunyomi, S. O., & Jimoh, R. A. (2023). Influence of social media adoption on the performance of construction small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Abuja–Nigeria. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 30(9), 4229-4252. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-01-2022-0039
- Sánchez-Canut, S., Usart-Rodríguez, M., Grimalt-Álvaro, C., Martínez-Requejo, S., & Lores-Gómez, B. (2023). Professional digital competence: Definition, frameworks, measurement, and gender differences: A systematic literature review. Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, 2023(1), 8897227. doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/8897227
- Shahadat, M. H., Nekmahmud, M., Ebrahimi, P., & Fekete-Farkas, M. (2023). Digital technology adoption in SMEs: what technological, environmental and organizational factors influence in emerging countries? Global Business Review. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/09721509221137199
- Stofkova, J., Poliakova, A., Stofkova, K. R., Malega, P., Krejnus, M., Binasova, V., & Daneshjo, N. (2022). Digital skills as a significant factor of human resources development. Sustainability, 14(20), 13117. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013117
- Swallehe, O. (2021). The Determinants of Adoption of Social Media Marketing Among SMEs in Tanzania. IUP Journal of Marketing Management, 20(1).
- Telukdarie, A., Dube, T., Matjuta, P., & Philbin, S. (2023). The opportunities and challenges of digitalization for SME's. Procedia Computer Science, 217, 689-698.
- Uluda?, C. Ç. (2023). Digital Literacy (Competency) And Readiness for Organizational Change: The Mediator Role of Resistance to Change. ??letme Ara?t?rmalar? Dergisi, 15(1), 704-717. doi:https://doi.org/10.20491/isarder.2023.1613
- Umetiti, C. B., Nwafor, A. E., Arachie, A. E., & Ifeme, A. P. (2025). Digital literacy in the context of small and medium enterprises (SMEs): A performance dynamics. International Journal of Public Administration and Management Research, 11(1), 1-17.
- Urban, B., & Maphathe, T. (2021). Social media marketing and customer engagement: a focus on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa. Journal of Contemporary Management, 18(1), 48-69. doi:https://doi.org/10.35683/jcm20065.96
- Wattenberg, M. (2024). Integration of Successful Customer Engagement for SMEs on Social: Academic Conferences and publishing limited.
- Wongkhamdi, T., Cooharojananone, N., & Khlaisang, J. (2020). E-commerce competence assessment mobile application development for SMEs in Thailand. doi:https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v14i11.11358
- Zhao, Y., Llorente, A. M. P., & Gómez, M. C. S. (2021). Digital competence in higher education research: A systematic literature review. Computers & education, 168, 104212. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2021.104212