TÜRKONFED and Vodafone Business Continue to Digitalize SMEs
Türkiye’s largest independent business organization, Turkish Business Confederation (TÜRKONFED) , and Vodafone Business , the technology partner of enterprises, held the second event of the “ Technology Powered SMEs ” project—launched earlier this year—in Ankara. Hosted by the Central Anatolian Industrialists and Businesspeople Federation (İÇASİFED) , the event brought together representatives from SMEs, the business community, civil society organizations, and public institutions.
Süleyman Sönmez: “Reducing SMEs’ Fragility Strengthens the Economy”
Özlem Kestioğlu: “We Are the Trusted Partner in SMEs’ Digitalization Journey”
Özlem Kestioğlu, Vice President of Vodafone Türkiye , gave a presentation focused on digitalization and 5G technologies in Türkiye. She noted that SMEs form the backbone of the Turkish economy, representing 99.7% of all enterprises and generating 41.6% of total production value. “SMEs are the backbone of our economy, yet their average digitalization score is only 3.09 out of 10. The adoption rate of cloud services is 13% among small and 26% among medium-sized enterprises. Türkiye is preparing for the deployment of 5G technology, which represents a major opportunity for SMEs. With 5G, SMEs could reduce operational costs by 15–30%, increase productivity by 15–20%, and contribute TRY 10.9 billion to the national economy within five years. The export impact of 5G is estimated at TRY 103 billion. As Vodafone Business, serving over 1.7 million enterprises, we are committed to leading Türkiye’s digital transformation journey through our technology solutions—from cloud and cybersecurity to IoT and smart connectivity.”
Süleyman Ekinci: “Ankara Offers Strong Opportunities for Digitally Visionary SMEs”
Süleyman Ekinci, President of İÇASİFED , underlined that technologies once accessible only to large corporations have now become attainable for SMEs:
“Thanks to cloud computing, even small enterprises can now serve clients around the world. Through e-commerce platforms, a producer in Ankara can sell products to both İstanbul and Berlin on the same day. However, those who fail to adopt technology risk being left out of competition. Therefore, adaptation to technology is not a choice but a necessity. SMEs should focus on digital transformation, R&D and innovation, and human capital development. Additionally, improving access to finance, simplifying state incentives, and strengthening inter-SME cooperation are of critical importance. Ankara—with its universities, technoparks, research centers, and leadership in defense, software, medical, automotive, and machinery sectors—has the potential to become the capital of knowledge, science, and innovation. The more SMEs leverage this ecosystem, the faster they will grow.”
Collaboration and Networking Opportunities
Following the opening session, Prof. Dr. Emre Alkin, Rector of İstanbul Topkapı University, participated as a guest speaker. The panel on “Digital Transformation and the Future of Work”, moderated by TÜRKONFED Digital Transformation Commission Member Tuğrul Baran, featured Demet Türdü Nurullahoğlu, Vodafone Türkiye Senior Manager for Public and Regional Sales, and Arda Ödemiş, CEO of ARD Information Technologies. The program also included Q&A sessions, one-on-one meetings, and dedicated networking opportunities.
The “Technology Powered SMEs” project aims to address the information gaps and access barriers that SMEs face in their digital transformation journey. The initiative provides comprehensive training, seminars, consulting services, and post-event B2B sessions designed to foster collaboration and help enterprises gain the knowledge and partnerships necessary to accelerate their digital growth
