By Sam Ancer
IoT stands for the “Internet of Things.” This refers to a network of devices that connect to each other and the internet.
These devices can include everyday objects like appliances, vehicles, and even clothing that have sensors and software that allow them to collect and share data with other devices and systems online.
IoT technology does a lot to streamline production processes, farming, and automation.
With Africa emerging as an economic force on the global stage, IoT technology must be adopted as fast as possible.
That’s why we’ve decided to highlight 5 of the most important African IoT Startups that you need to know about.
1. MiX Telematics
Founded in 1996 MiX Telematics has been a mainstay in vehicle and fleet tracking. Operating on a Software as a Service (SaaS) model MiX Telematics has used IoT devices to bring their customers value and security.
MiX Telematics uses IoT devices to keep track of vehicles, observing their location and measuring any issues or faults within the vehicle. Customers using MiX Telematics can know, in real-time, the location of their vehicle, the state their vehicle is in, and if any underlying issues are compromising the performance of their vehicles.
Listed on the New York Stocke Exchange, MiX Telematics has a global reach, operating in North and South America, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia.
In its 27 years of operation, MiX Telematics has achieved great things, from breaking the billion rand revenue barrier in 2012 to reaching over 700 000 subscribers in 2018, MiX Telematics has been a world leader in Vehicle and Fleet tracking for quite some time.
MiX Telematics has also been recognised for its achievements by ABI Research, naming MiX Telematics as a global leader in the innovation and implementation of its technologies.
MiX Telematics has achieved a great deal both in terms of financial success, as well as technological development. They have put Africa on the map regarding IoT and its uses in vehicle and fleet tracking.
2. Proximity ID
Proximity ID has created an app that allows users to consolidate their loyalty cards, access cards, and parking tickets in a single place.
This application allows users to make the most out of all of the loyalty programs that they have signed up for, without having to worry about carrying a million pieces of plastic.
Proximity ID also connects with its brand partners and provides invaluable data and insights into its members’ purchase decisions.
This helps their partners keep track of commercial industry trends without having to compile and manage the data on their own.
Proximity ID also helps employers keep track of their staff using IoT connections. They also provide meaningful data on foot traffic so that businesses can best strategise how to engage with the consumer base near them.
Proximity ID places its Proximity Beacons all around our physical world to enhance your real life and virtual experience.
The use of these beacons gives customers ease of access while also recording valuable data for businesses.
By providing consumer convenience they can leverage the value of the product into actionable data for their partnered companies.
3. Lumikani
Security and peace of mind are increasingly valuable, not only in Africa but globally as well. Lumikani seeks to break down the economic divide in security by providing its clients with security and insurance solutions powered by IoT devices.
Lumkani mostly operates in low-income communities, where fire protection and detection services are severely needed. Low-income communities tend to be the most at risk when it comes to fires and lacks the resources to bounce back from the devastation they cause.
Lumkani is all about using cheap but effective resources to protect South Africa’s most vulnerable communities.
Lumikani’s fire detectors work within a 60-meter radius and so a community with these detectors is going to be alerted to a fire as soon as it breaks out and be able to respond as fast as possible. This can help prevent fires from spreading too far as communities can act and move their belongings out of the way of the fire. It can also stop a fire in its tracks as communities can quickly respond to the fire and put it out.
Lumikani also operates in refugee areas, allowing people who have fled violence and persecution piece of mind as they know their new homes are protected from the dangers of fires.
Between 2020 and 2021, there have been more than 5 807 shack fires that have displaced people and destroyed their precious few belongings.
Lumikani hopes to reduce that number significantly by enabling people to have access to security through their IoT-powered alarm system.
4. UjuziKilimo
IoT solutions have become invaluable for farmers and farming communities. From being able to track rainfall patterns to assessing the acidity of the soil, there is no limit to how much value extracting and communicating data can be for farmers.
UjuziKilimo provides IoT solutions for farmers to help them keep track of their crops and livestock.
With their Farmsuite, UjuziKilimo gives farmers access to all their information on a single cloud database.
This means that farmers can keep track of the condition of their crops while they are away from the farm. Farmers will also gain access to insights and advice to help them address any issues or opportunities that they find thanks to UjuziKilimo’s Farmsuite.
UjuziKilimo’s SoilPal allows farmers to know the condition of their soil without having to step foot on the farm. By using sensors that monitor the soil farmers can assess their next steps in real-time.
5. IoT.nxt
IoT.nxt helps businesses digitise and optimise their processes through their patented IoT systems.
IoT.nxt has created a platform that is technology agnostic, allowing users to make use of whatever technologies they have available and incorporate them into the platform.
This allows users to monitor their systems from a single device, allowing for transparency, ease of use, and access to cutting-edge technology that may exist outside their purchasing power.
IoT.nxt prides itself on a quick, seamless process that allows businesses to be up and running in as little time as possible.
IoT.nxt offers a wide range of products to suit your business’s specific needs. These include:
Navigator: A data analytics platform
Commander: An Application Enablement platform
Raptor: A data analytics and filtration platform
These products can encompass all your business’s IoT and AI needs and allow for simple yet effective management of your business’s tech and analytics.
Conclusion
To sum up, IoT or the “Internet of Things” refers to a network of interconnected devices that can communicate with each other and with other systems over the internet.
IoT technology has become an essential tool in many fields like production, farming, security, and automation. Africa is emerging as a global economic power, and it must adopt IoT technology to keep up with the rest of the world.
This post has highlighted five of the most important African IoT startups that are making strides in various industries.
These include MiX Telematics, Proximity ID, Lumikani, UjuziKilimo, and IoT.nxt.
From fleet tracking to fire protection, these startups are using IoT technology to solve real-world problems and improve people’s lives.
