SES and Advannotech Bring Satellite-Powered IoT to South African Farms

March 25, 2026

South African farmers, particularly those in remote and rural areas, have long struggled with inconsistent connectivity that limits the full potential of precision farming tools. That challenge is now being directly addressed through a new partnership between global satellite operator SES and South African IoT technology provider Advannotech.

The collaboration, announced recently, will deliver reliable satellite-enabled IoT connectivity to farms across the country, enabling real-time monitoring and data-driven decision making even in areas with poor or no cellular coverage.

Bringing Real-Time Intelligence to the Field

The project uses LoRaWAN sensors combined with SES’s satellite network to monitor critical farm parameters, including:

• Soil moisture and temperature

• Water levels and usage

• Environmental conditions such as light, CO₂, humidity, and air temperature

Data from these sensors is transmitted via satellite to a cloud-based platform, giving farmers instant access to insights on their phones or computers — regardless of their location.

This is particularly significant for South Africa, where many productive farming regions still suffer from unreliable cellular networks and frequent load-shedding. Satellite connectivity ensures continuous data flow, removing one of the biggest barriers to adopting smart farming technologies.

Real Results from Early Trials

A successful three-month proof-of-concept trial was conducted through the Enterprising Africa Regional Network (EARN) at a climate-smart training farm in Centurion. Joshua Ngoma, founder of EARN, described the impact clearly:

“Before these IoT devices were put in the field, everything was guesswork. We used to water three times a day. But with the information you get on your phone or computer, you know exactly when to water. That saves power and conserves water, a very limited resource.”

The ability to move from guesswork to precise, data-backed decisions is expected to deliver significant benefits: reduced water and energy consumption, optimised input use, improved crop health, and ultimately higher yields with lower costs.

Hans Geldenhuys, Director of Africa for SES, emphasised the importance of satellite technology in this context:

“Through this project we have demonstrated that satellite-enabled IoT in agriculture will assist farmers in making data-driven decisions for higher yields and sustainability, irrespective of location.”

Why This Matters for South African Farmers

This initiative is highly relevant for both commercial and emerging farmers:

• Water Conservation: Real-time soil moisture data helps prevent over-irrigation in water-stressed regions.

• Cost Reduction: Farmers can apply fertiliser, water, and other inputs only where and when needed.

• Risk Management: Early warnings on crop stress or changing weather conditions allow faster responses.

• Inclusivity: The solution is designed to work in remote areas, making advanced farming tools accessible to small and medium-scale farmers who have historically been left behind due to poor connectivity.

The project also supports youth development through EARN’s training programmes, helping young farmers build skills in data-driven agribusiness.

The Bigger Picture

This partnership forms part of a growing movement to make precision agriculture practical and affordable across Africa. By combining LoRaWAN’s low-power, long-range capabilities with reliable satellite backhaul, SES and Advannotech are creating a robust infrastructure layer that other AgriTech solutions (drones, AI advisory platforms, automated irrigation systems) can build upon.

For South African agriculture — already under pressure from climate change, rising input costs, and labour challenges — reliable connectivity is the foundation upon which meaningful digital transformation can occur.

Farmers and agribusinesses interested in learning more about satellite-powered IoT solutions for their operations can contact Advannotech or Otto Wireless Solutions (a key local partner in similar deployments) for deployment options.

The future of South African farming is increasingly connected — and this initiative marks an important step toward making that future accessible to farms of all sizes, in every corner of the country.