China’s ZTE Corporation, a global integrated ICT solutions provider, announced on Thursday, November 7, the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with South African telecom operator MTN, Aizatron, a local technology innovation company, and the Weskus District of South Africa. The strategic collaboration aims to develop smart cities in South Africa.

“The four parties are committed to building a highly efficient and sustainable smart city ecosystem. This is the first AI-based proof of concept in South Africa, aiming to test intelligent technologies supporting asset recognition and inventory management in Malmesbury (Weskus),” ZTE said in a statement.

The pilot project, planned for Malmesbury in the Weskus district, will integrate 5G with advanced AI capabilities to develop infrastructures such as smart transport, digital management of urban resources, and services that improve the quality of life for residents. By combining the deep connectivity of 5G with AI tools, this initiative aims to revolutionize modern urban life, addressing the needs of mobility, security, and resource efficiency in urban environments.

The deployment of 5G is essential for the digitalization of the urban environment. It offers higher bandwidth and low latency, essential to support the volume of data generated by sensors and connected technologies in smart cities. 5G becomes a pillar in the advancement of urban solutions such as real-time traffic management, enhanced public safety through intelligent video surveillance, and the automation of urban services. This infrastructure also allows authorities to collect and analyze massive data in real time, paving the way for more proactive and informed governance.

For MTN, this commitment to smart cities is part of a strategy to diversify its activities, beyond the simple provision of telecommunications services. By partnering with this project, MTN is strengthening its positioning as a key player in the digital transformation in South Africa, by exploring new segments such as the Internet of Things (IoT), connected infrastructure and smart solutions for communities.

This strategic positioning increases MTN’s competitiveness in a sector where operators are seeking to differentiate themselves through innovative and high value-added services. Moreover, the company announced in September that it had expanded 5G coverage in South Africa to 44%, up from 35% at the beginning of the year, marking a significant advance in its connectivity objectives.

Source: Agency EcoFin