MTN Business revolutionises South African municipalities with world-class smart metering solutions
MTN Business has partnered with the South African government to roll out advanced smart metering solutions under the RT29 transversal contract, awarded by the National Treasury in 2024.
This three-year initiative is designed to address pressing financial and infrastructure challenges faced by municipalities, ensuring more efficient service delivery.
Transforming municipal revenue collection
“Many municipalities in South Africa are facing significant financial and infrastructure challenges,” said Azam Irshad, Head of IoT Solutions at MTN Business.
“One of the biggest issues is revenue collection. Billing inaccuracies and inefficiencies result in financial shortfalls, which directly impact service delivery.”
MTN Business’s smart meters tackle these challenges by:
- Enhancing revenue collection – ensuring accurate, real-time usage tracking and eliminating billing discrepancies.
- Reducing costly errors – automating processes to minimise human mistakes and prevent revenue leakage.
- Optimising service delivery – enabling municipalities to detect issues like water leaks faster and improve operational efficiency.
“The shift to smart metering follows a global trend, and we are ensuring that South Africa keeps pace by leveraging our technology and expertise,” said Azam Irshad.
MTN Business: A trusted partner in digital transformation
MTN Business was selected for the RT29 contract due to its proven expertise in digital transformation and leadership in IoT solutions.
“MTN Business has a strong track record of delivering scalable, technology-driven solutions that modernise essential services,” said Azam Irshad.
“With our advanced IoT infrastructure and extensive network coverage, we are well-positioned to implement smart metering solutions effectively at scale.”
This initiative also supports President Ramaphosa’s national focus on infrastructure development, reinforcing the importance of public-private partnerships in strengthening the country’s core systems.
The role of public-private partnerships in infrastructure development
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are essential for addressing South Africa’s infrastructure challenges because they combine the expertise, resources, and efficiency of the private sector with the policy direction and public service mandate of the government.
“Government institutions follow structured processes to ensure compliance and accountability, while the private sector brings the flexibility and technical expertise needed to drive innovation,” said Azam Irshad, Head of IoT Solutions at MTN Business.
“By working together, we can implement modern, efficient, and scalable solutions that strengthen service delivery and financial stability for municipalities.”
Through the RT29 contract, MTN Business provides the technology, infrastructure, and innovation needed to modernize municipal services, while the government ensures these solutions are implemented in a way that benefits communities.
This collaboration enables faster, more cost-effective solutions, ensuring that essential services like water and electricity are managed more efficiently and sustainably.
MTN Business remains committed to expanding its partnerships with government and municipalities, exploring new opportunities beyond smart metering to support the vision of smart cities.
“We are actively engaging with stakeholders and looking beyond smart metering to explore how we can contribute to the development of smart cities,” said Azam Irshad.
“Our ultimate goal is to leverage our expertise and world-class network to create lasting value for the South African government and its people.”
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