Cloud computing adoption is accelerating across South Africa, creating a surge in demand for professionals with proven skills in leading platforms. As more organisations migrate workloads to the cloud to drive agility, scalability, and innovation, certified expertise in Microsoft Azure is becoming a highly sought-after credential.
Microsoft Azure holds a dominant position in the global cloud market, and its footprint is rapidly expanding locally. For IT professionals, this means career opportunities in sectors ranging from banking and telecoms to government and manufacturing. Employers value Azure-certified talent not only for technical capability but also for the assurance that comes with meeting globally recognised standards.
Azure certifications are structured across foundational, associate, and expert levels, which lets individuals build their knowledge step by step. Whether starting with Azure Fundamentals or progressing to role-based certifications like Azure Administrator or Solutions Architect, each qualification signals practical, job-ready skills.
For those mapping out a long-term IT career strategy, Azure certifications fit seamlessly alongside other technical and business-focused skills. They can open pathways into specialised areas like AI, cybersecurity, and DevOps, while strengthening core cloud competencies. In a competitive job market, they offer a clear way to demonstrate capability, enhance employability, and stay relevant in the fast-changing digital economy.
Azure certification levels explained
Microsoft’s Azure certification pathway is designed to help IT professionals build skills progressively, from foundational understanding to specialised expertise. Each level caters to different career stages and technical goals, ensuring there’s a clear route for beginners, experienced practitioners, and subject-matter experts alike.
Fundamentals level certifications (entry point)
Associate level certifications (role-specific expertise)
Expert level certifications (advanced architecture skills)
Specialty certifications (niche specializations)
Prerequisites and experience requirements
Fundamentals: No prerequisites although basic IT knowledge helpful.
Associate: Recommended 6 to 12 months of Azure and related job-role experience.
Expert: Typically requires associate-level certification and at least two years of advanced Azure experience.
Specialty: Varies by certification and generally assumes prior Azure experience and relevant role expertise.
Your starting point: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
The Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification (AZ-900) is the ideal starting point for anyone looking to break into cloud computing, whether you’re a student, recent graduate, career changer, or IT professional wanting to add cloud fluency to your skill set. It’s designed for individuals with little to no prior experience in Azure, making it accessible to those from both technical and non-technical backgrounds.
The AZ-900 exam covers the foundational knowledge required to understand cloud computing principles and Microsoft Azure’s core offerings. Key topics include essential cloud concepts, core Azure services like compute, storage, and networking, and the fundamentals of security, compliance, and trust in a cloud environment. You’ll also explore Azure pricing models, service level agreements, and lifecycle management.
Earning the AZ-900 opens doors to entry-level opportunities such as cloud support associate, junior systems administrator, or technical sales specialist, and provides a solid base for progressing to role-based certifications. Most learners can prepare for the exam in two to six weeks, using resources like Microsoft Learn, free online courses, and practice exams. In South Africa, salaries for AZ-900 certified professionals vary widely depending on the role, but entry-level positions often start from R200,000 to R350,000 per year. As you gain experience or combine AZ-900 with additional certifications, salaries can increase rapidly — more experienced roles often see annual compensation well into the R400,000s and above.
Explore the course
Choose your path: Associate level certifications
Once you’ve mastered the basics, Microsoft’s associate-level Azure certifications let you to specialise in a role that aligns with your skills and career goals. These certifications validate job-ready expertise and can significantly boost your employability in the cloud job market.
Azure Administrator (AZ-104) – Infrastructure management focus
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Azure Developer (AZ-204) – Application development track
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Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500) – Cybersecurity specialisation
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Advanced cloud mastery: Expert and specialty certifications
For seasoned Azure professionals, expert and specialty certifications demonstrate advanced technical leadership and niche expertise. These credentials validate your ability to design, implement, and optimise complex enterprise solutions, positioning you for senior, high-impact roles.
Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305) – Enterprise design
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Azure DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400) – Development operations
Specialty tracks – AI, Data, IoT, and SAP workloads
There are also a range of speciality tracks that Azure-certified professionals can explore, including AI (AI-102), Data (DP-203), IoT (AZ-220), and SAP (AZ-120), all with a focus on deep, role-specific expertise and tailored for specialists interested in leading projects in emerging technology areas.
Expert certifications typically require an associate-level credential plus 2+ years of Azure experience, and specialty certifications assume existing Azure knowledge and domain expertise. These qualifications open doors to leadership, consulting, and high-level architecture roles in enterprise and multi-cloud environments.
Choosing your Azure certification path
Choosing the right Azure certification path starts with a clear understanding of your career goals, current skill set, and the industry you want to work in. Begin with self-assessment questions like:
Your experience level will also influence your starting point. Beginners or career changers may find the Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) the most accessible entry, while those with 6 to 12 months’ Azure experience can confidently pursue associate-level certifications. Expert and specialty certifications are best suited to professionals with at least two years of advanced, role-specific Azure work, as these require deep technical knowledge and the ability to solve complex enterprise challenges.
Industry priorities can further guide your decision. For example, financial services may value security and compliance expertise (AZ-500), manufacturing could prioritise IoT (AZ-220), and tech start-ups may seek DevOps (AZ-400) skills. By aligning your certification choices with both your experience and your target industry, you can create a roadmap that accelerates your career growth.
Next steps: training options and exam preparation
Once you’ve chosen your Azure certification path, the next step is to commit to a structured training and preparation plan. Depending on your learning style, you can choose from self-paced online courses, instructor-led training, or blended formats that combine flexibility with guided learning. Effective preparation should include hands-on practice in the Azure portal, reviewing Microsoft Learn modules, and working through official practice exams to familiarise yourself with question formats and time management under exam conditions. Setting a realistic study timeline (anywhere from two weeks for fundamentals to several months for advanced levels) will help you stay consistent and confident on exam day.
Torque IT can accelerate this journey by providing access to Microsoft-authorised training programmes tailored to each certification level, from AZ-900 through to expert and specialty tracks. As a trusted Microsoft Learning Partner, Torque IT offers instructor-led classes delivered by certified Azure professionals, ensuring you gain not only theoretical knowledge but also practical skills directly applicable to real-world scenarios. Our structured learning paths, exam readiness resources, and personalised guidance can help you bridge any knowledge gaps, boost your confidence, and increase your chances of passing on your first attempt. With Torque IT, your Azure certification isn’t just a credential, it’s a stepping stone to stronger career opportunities.
FAQs
Q: Which Microsoft Azure certification should beginners start with?
Beginners should start with the Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) certification. This entry-level qualification is designed for individuals with little to no prior Azure experience and provides a broad understanding of cloud concepts, core Azure services, and basic security and compliance principles. It’s accessible to both technical and non-technical professionals and serves as the perfect stepping stone into more specialised, role-based certifications.
Q: What is the Microsoft Azure certification path for administrators?
For those pursuing a career in cloud administration, the typical Azure certification path begins with the AZ-900 to build foundational knowledge, followed by the Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) certification. The AZ-104 focuses on managing Azure identities, governance, storage, compute, and networking resources. From there, administrators can progress to expert-level credentials such as the Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305), or branch into related specialties like security (AZ-500) or networking (AZ-700).
Q: How much do Azure certified professionals earn in South Africa?
In South Africa, Azure-certified professionals can expect salaries that vary depending on role, experience, and certification level. Entry-level roles with an AZ-900 may start at around R200,000 to R350,000 per year, while associate-level professionals can earn between R350,000 and R700,000. Expert and specialty-certified professionals often command salaries exceeding R900,000 per year.
Q: Do I need experience before taking Azure certification exams?
You don’t always need prior Azure experience to take a certification exam—particularly at the fundamentals level—but associate, expert, and specialty certifications are designed for professionals with relevant, hands-on experience. While not mandatory, practical exposure to Azure environments will significantly improve your exam performance and real-world application of skills.
