Imagine walking into a boardroom where decisions aren’t based on gut feelings or guesswork — but on comprehensive data that speaks volumes.
No more “I think” or “maybe we should.” Just crystal-clear insights telling you exactly what’s working, what’s failing, and what to do next. That’s the power of business intelligence (BI), quietly transforming how South African companies operate.
From predicting customer behaviour to uncovering hidden revenue opportunities, BI is no longer a “nice-to-have”— it’s the secret weapon of top-performing businesses.
Whether you’re a curious graduate or a seasoned professional looking to upskill in business intelligence, understanding how to harness data could be the smartest career move you make, which is where REGENT’s Postgraduate Diploma in Business Intelligence comes in.
In this blog post, we’ll break down what BI is, why it’s booming in South Africa, what tools BI experts use, and how you can step into this future-proof field without needing to be a data scientist.
What is business intelligence?
Business Intelligence (BI) refers to the technologies, tools, and practices companies use to collect, analyse, and visualise data to make better business decisions.
In short, BI helps companies turn raw data into actionable insights, enabling them to be more strategic in everything they do and achieve better performance.
For example, a retail chain like Pick n Pay uses business intelligence to analyse customer buying patterns. They can identify which items are in high demand by reviewing sales data across regions, seasons, and product categories. From there, they can optimise stock levels and tailor promotions, ultimately increasing sales and reducing waste.
Is business intelligence in demand in South Africa?
If you’re wondering whether business intelligence is in high demand in South Africa, the short answer is yes, absolutely. And the best part is that this industry continues to grow as more business systems become digital.
In fact, the business intelligence software sector in South Africa is estimated to reach $118.43 million US dollars in 2025 and grow by 3.55% annually.
This impressive growth rate is reflected in competitive salaries, with the average Business Intelligence Analyst earning over R420,000 annually. The salary for Business Intelligence Managers is even higher.
Industries such as finance, retail, healthcare, and logistics are actively looking for and hiring Business Intelligence Specialists to help optimise their operations, forecast trends, and ultimately, improve productivity.
Is it worth studying business intelligence?
Studying business intelligence (BI) is absolutely worth it, especially in today’s data-driven world where businesses rely heavily on insights to make informed decisions. BI combines data analysis, visualisation, and strategic thinking to help companies gain a competitive edge.
To show you why entering this industry can be a powerful move for your career, let’s look at some of the key benefits studying BI offers.
High demand and lucrative salaries
BI professionals are in high demand globally, including in South Africa. Companies like FNB and Shoprite hire BI analysts to streamline operations and personalise customer offerings.
And, as mentioned earlier, salaries for these positions are very high. Even as an entry-level Business Analyst, you’ll earn a higher salary than many other careers.
Diverse career opportunities
BI skills open doors in various industries — finance, healthcare, retail, logistics, and more. Discovery Health, for instance, uses BI to track member behaviour and improve patient outcomes.
Whether you want to be a data analyst, BI developer, or business consultant, the career options are broad. You can look at the various career opportunities in business intelligence here.
Impact and influence
BI professionals often work closely with top management, influencing key business strategies. For example, a BI team at Nedbank helped reduce customer churn by identifying dissatisfaction trends through data.
This kind of strategic involvement can open doors to career advancement opportunities. By collaborating with decision-makers and demonstrating the value of data-driven insights, you’ll build strong relationships with leadership.
As a result, you’ll be well-positioned to work your way up the corporate ladder — moving into roles like BI Manager, Head of Analytics, or even Chief Data Officer in the long run.
How do I start a career in business intelligence?
If you are a working professional or a recent business studies graduate and want to work in the business intelligence industry, you could consider pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Intelligence at Regent Business School.
This diploma is ideal because it covers essential BI skills (that are in demand), including:
- Data analytics
- Data-driven decision making
- Strategic thinking
It’s also industry-relevant and includes practical projects, aligning exactly with real-world businesses’ needs. Also, since you can study this postgraduate diploma through distance learning, you can work while studying.
One of the biggest advantages of this course is that it’s internationally recognised, meaning you’ll be able to find work abroad if that is one of your career goals.
FAQ
What tools do BI specialists use?
Business Intelligence Specialists use various tools to analyse, visualise, and interpret data.
These tools help run raw information into actionable insights so it can support better decision-making. Some of these tools include:
- Microsoft Power BI: Allows you to create interactive dashboards and reports.
- Tableau: Enables you to create detailed and dynamic charts.
- SQL: Is essential for querying and managing data stored in relational databases.
- Excel: Used for data manipulation, especially for smaller data sets.
- SAS & IBM Cognos Analytics: Large corporations use these enterprise-level tools for predictive analytics, reporting, and data modelling.
What’s the difference between data analytics and business intelligence?
While data analytics and business intelligence have some similarities, they are different in terms of purpose, scope, and users.
While business intelligence focuses on descriptive analysis (i.e., what happened in the past and what is happening now), data analytics uses predictive and prescriptive analytics (i.e., why something happened and what will happen next).
BI is also primarily about reporting, dashboards, and key performance indicators, providing a broad overview to support strategic decisions. On the other hand, data analytics includes deeper analysis, statistical modelling, and machine learning to find patterns and trends.
How much do business intelligence professionals earn?
The salary of business intelligence professionals varies depending on their position, experience, and company. However, Business Intelligence Analysts and Managers typically earn between R420,000 and R850,000 per year in South Africa.
Study business intelligence online with REGENT
If business intelligence sounds like the ideal career for you and you’re interested in enrolling in a course to help you learn these skills, you can consider REGENT’s Postgraduate Diploma in Business Intelligence.
If you have any questions about the course or would like guidance from one of our consultants, please contact us directly.
