Electricity and Control October 2025

Industry 4.0 + IIoT: Products + services

Supporting smart infrastructure in South Africa

with the pressures of rising urban demand and significant water losses, with some areas losing up to 30% of water through leaks. “ABB’s advanced solutions are used in optimising water distribution networks, addressing the ongoing challenges posed by South Africa’s water scarcity and ageing infrastructure. “In land transportation, we enable smarter mobility solutions that balance tra‡ic safety, energy e‡iciency, and environmental impact. And in the ports sector, we provide the technologies needed to increase throughput and automate container handling, at the same time reducing carbon emissions in a space where 90% of global trade takes place.” He points also to the rapidly evolving telecommunications industry where constantly increasing customer expectations raise the need for resilient, scalable infrastructure. ABB is enabling telecom operators to deploy robust digital solutions that keep people connected wherever they are. “We want to be at the forefront of this digital migration happening in South Africa and on the continent,” Maharaj says. “A key di‡erentiator for ABB is our ability to combine global expertise with local delivery. Our team of 53 000 professionals, working across 200 manufacturing sites globally, brings deep local knowledge and expertise to every project, ensuring that our solutions are customised to meet locally specific needs while maintaining global best practices.” In its Ability™ platform, ABB integrates cutting-edge technologies such as edge computing, cloud connectivity, analytics, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity into infrastructure management. This integrated platform empowers customers with real-time insights and predictive capabilities, driving e‡iciency and sustainability . In South Africa it is used in key sectors such as energy, water, and transportation, playing a part in the country’s ongoing digital transformation. Another growing focus area for ABB is e-mobility, which is slowly gaining traction in South Africa as infrastructure develops. With road transport reported to be responsible for more than 75% of transport-related CO² emissions globally, and passenger cars accounting for 60%, electric mobility is essential in the transition to net-zero. ABB is contributing to this shiš with charging solutions for various applications, from residential EV chargers to high power highway stations and fleet-scale electrification for buses and trucks.

Wherever there are people, there is infrastructure. From the electricity that powers our cities to the clean water that serves our communities, infrastructure shapes our daily lives and determines our quality of life. Yet, it is ošen only

noticed when something goes wrong. Veron Maharaj of ABB Electrification makes the point that as South Africa endeavours to deal with the challenges of rapid urbanisation, climate change, and resource scarcity, it is clear that its infrastructure must evolve to become smarter, more resilient, and sustainable, to meet the needs of today and tomorrow. “At ABB Electrification, we believe the infrastructure of the future must do more than

Veron Maharaj, ABB Electrification.

support daily operations; it must anticipate them. With over 130 years’ experience in electrification and a presence in more than 100 countries, including South Africa, ABB is committed to building intelligent systems that connect and optimise infrastructure across sectors,” Maharaj says. “We are reimagining how airports operate, how ports manage energy, how cities move people, and how utilities deliver critical services, using digital technologies to improve e‡iciency, reliability, and sustainability.” He highlights that as the world transitions to meet the climate targets outlined in the Paris Agreement it is estimated that a sum of $13.5 trillion needs to be invested in energy e‡iciency and low-carbon technologies by 2030. As well as investment, Maharaj emphasises that this shiš requires innovation. This is where ABB is delivering smart, connected solutions that reduce environmental impact and enhance performance. “Our work spans critical sectors where infrastructure challenges are complex and growing, particularly in South Africa. “In water management, we support utilities grappling

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Among other infrastructure sectors, ABB supports water utilities by providing advanced solutions to optimise water distribution networks.

6 Electricity + Control OCTOBER 2025