Safaricom to deploy smart water system in Nairobi, Kitui
Safaricom has entered a partnership with the Kenya Water Institute to build capacity in the water sector, in line with Sustainable Development Goal six that seeks to ensure availability and sustainable management of clean water and sanitation for all.
Through the partnership, Safaricom will deploy a Smart Water System at the Kenya Water Institute’s Nairobi and Kitui campuses to facilitate practical training. It will additionally co-create and run a Smart Water Management curriculum for students at the institution.
“Safaricom is committed to its vision of being a purpose-led technology company by 2025. As part of this journey, we continue to partner with stakeholders to bring this vision to life. We recognise the importance of working with training institutions on relevant technology skills and onboarding the young generation in our Internet of Things (IoT) process as early as possible,” said Peter Ndegwa, Chief Executive Officer, Safaricom.
Smart water management entails leveraging the internet of things (IoT) technologies in managing the abstraction, production, distribution, and consumption of water. The smart water meters provide an effective way of collecting data online in real-time. They ensure effective monitoring of utility consumption data thereby detecting loss & leakage, ensuring accurate billing, enhancing revenue collection, improving operational efficiency, and as a result saving costs.
The Kenya Water Institute is mandated by the government to carry out capacity development for the water sector. The institute also provides short courses for water service providers and as such KEWI is best placed to partner with Safaricom to tailor the Smart Water Management curriculum.
“The partnership between KEWI and Safaricom on the Smart Water Management curriculum is a forward-thinking collaboration that aims to tackle the pressing issue of water scarcity by fostering awareness and practical solutions. This reflects a shared vision of leveraging technology and education to drive sustainable water practices and conservation,” said Dr Leiro Letangule, CEO, Kenya Water Institute.
