In today’s competitive landscape, businesses are no longer just adopting digital technology; they are embedding intelligence into their core operations. The Internet of Things (IoT) is at the forefront of this transformation, turning everyday assets into data-generating powerhouses that drive efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance visibility.
Safaricom Business has emerged as a key technology partner in this space, leveraging its robust network infrastructure to deliver proven IoT solutions that are already creating significant value for some of Kenya’s biggest names.
By focusing on tangible outcomes, Safaricom is building industry trust not just on promises, but on proof. Here’s a look at how their solutions in Telematics, Smart Utilities, and Supply Chain Monitoring are enabling smarter operations.
1. Advanced Telematics: Driving Fleet Efficiency and Security
For any business with a mobile fleet, managing vehicles, drivers, and fuel is a complex and costly challenge. Safaricom’s IoT telematics solution provides a powerful answer by embedding smart tracking and monitoring systems directly into vehicles.
This isn’t just about dots on a map; it’s about rich, actionable data. The system captures real-time information on vehicle location, speed, route information, journey duration, fuel consumption, and even specific driver behaviors.
A powerful demonstration of this technology’s capability was its successful pilot during the East African Safari Classic Rally back in 2022. In one of the world’s most demanding motor rallies, covering 5,000 kilometers of punishing terrain, Safaricom’s telematics platform provided precise, real-time tracking, proving its resilience, elasticity, and reliability under extreme conditions. This successful high-stress test showcases the platform’s ability to deliver for any commercial fleet, ensuring managers can optimize routes, improve driver safety, and significantly cut down on fuel and maintenance costs.
2. Smart Utilities: Tackling Water and Energy Losses
Resource management is a critical national issue, and Safaricom’s smart utility solutions are tackling it head-on. By enabling the real-time monitoring of water and energy grids, they provide utility companies with the visibility needed to curb waste and improve revenue.
Safaricom’s Smart Water Manager platform is a game-changer for water service providers. By retrofitting existing meters with IoT sensors, the system provides real-time visibility on water usage, enabling advanced leak detection and threshold management.
The platform’s proven benefits include a tangible reduction in wasted water through early leak detection, leading to lower maintenance costs and the avoidance of large, unexpected bills for consumers. This capability has earned significant industry trust, evidenced by Safaricom’s partnership with the Kenya Water Institute (KEWI) to deploy the system and co-create a smart water management curriculum. Furthermore, successful pilot programs with providers like the Embu Water and Sanitation Company (EWASCO) have validated the solution’s effectiveness in the field.
In the energy sector, Safaricom is a key partner in Kenya’s fight against power losses. The most significant proof point is the massive partnership with Kenya Power. This project involves deploying an intelligent IoT system to connect over 300,000 smart electricity meters. The objective is clear and measurable: to track electricity usage, power outages, and transformer loads in real-time. This data is essential for curbing power theft, identifying technical leakages, and fixing grid vulnerabilities, ultimately securing revenue and improving service reliability for the entire country.
3. Supply Chain Monitoring: Visibility from Warehouse to Customer
Modern supply chains are all about precision. Safaricom’s IoT solutions give businesses unparalleled insight into their assets, whether they are in a warehouse or in transit.
A prime example is the “Connected Coolers” solution deployed for Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL). By equipping thousands of retail coolers with IoT sensors, Safaricom provides KBL with a real-time dashboard on their assets.
This system monitors:
- Asset Location: Pinpointing where every cooler is.
- Power Status: Alerting if a cooler is switched off, protecting product quality.
- Temperature: Ensuring beverages are always at the optimal temperature.
- Usage: Tracking how often a cooler door is opened.
This granular data allows KBL to optimize its asset management, ensure product integrity, and better understand retail patterns, transforming a simple cooler into an intelligent business tool.
The Safaricom Business Advantage
Safaricom’s transition to a purpose-led technology company is anchored by these real-world successes. The trust placed in them by major industry players like Kenya Power, KBL, and EWASCO is built on a foundation of proven, measurable results.
By leveraging their extensive and reliable 4G and 5G networks, Safaricom Business is not just selling IoT products; it is delivering comprehensive solutions that demonstrably improve efficiency, reduce operational costs, and build more resilient, intelligent enterprises. For businesses looking to make their operations smarter, Safaricom has established itself as a trusted partner with the proof to back it up.
Businesses can sign up for the Safaricom IoT Solutions through *485#, via the Safaricom Business website, or from any Safaricom Shop and dealer outlet
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