SES and Partners Deploy Satellite IoT to Boost South African Agribusiness

Event summary

  • SES, Advannotech, and EARN completed a three-month proof-of-concept trial in March 2026 using satellite-enabled IoT for data-driven farming in South Africa.
  • The project leverages IoT over satellite and LoRaWAN sensors to monitor soil moisture, temperature, water levels, and environmental factors in real-time.
  • Satellite connectivity replaced unreliable cellular networks, enabling consistent data delivery and immediate alerts for optimal farming conditions.
  • The initiative aims to train young farmers through EARN’s climate-smart training farm in Centurion, South Africa.

The big picture

SES’s collaboration with Advannotech and EARN highlights the growing trend of leveraging satellite technology to bridge connectivity gaps in remote agricultural regions. This initiative aligns with broader industry efforts to enhance food security and sustainability through data-driven farming practices. The success of this proof-of-concept could pave the way for similar projects in other developing regions, potentially expanding SES’s market reach in the agribusiness sector.

What we're watching

Scalability
Whether SES can replicate this model across other African regions to address food insecurity and economic growth.
Adoption Pace
The pace at which young farmers and agribusinesses will embrace satellite-enabled IoT for data-driven decision-making.
Regulatory Dynamics
How local and international regulations may impact the deployment and scalability of satellite IoT solutions in agriculture.

Related topics

Technology