In a bold move to enhance smart water management practices, the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) has commenced a strategic benchmarking mission to Botswana, hosted by the Water Utilities Corporation (WUC). The five-day programme, running from 16–20 June 2025, is focused on sharing technical knowledge, operational models, and customer engagement strategies around the implementation of smart prepaid metering solutions.
The NamWater delegation, led by its Chief Executive Officer Abraham Nehemia, is accompanied by Executive Committee members and technical experts. The team was warmly welcomed at WUC’s Mmamashia Treatment Works, where a comprehensive programme of technical briefings, collaborative discussions, and a field visit was set in motion.
Day 1: Setting the Stage for Knowledge Sharing
The opening day featured formal welcomes and strategic introductions between the two utilities. WUC’s Acting CEO, Teddy Ditsabatho, and NamWater’s CEO, Abraham Nehemia, highlighted the importance of regional knowledge exchange in advancing digital water management systems.
Key sessions included:
- An overview of WUC’s Smart Prepaid Solution Project and its implementation journey.
- Presentations on SAP integration, covering ISU (Industry-Specific Utilities), CRM, and AMI systems.
- A site visit to WUC’s cutting-edge Smart Prepaid Water Meter Operations Centre, where real-time meter data, billing, and customer operations are centrally managed.
Day 2: Diving Deeper into Operations
Day two offered a more technical perspective into the day-to-day operations and performance of WUC’s smart metering infrastructure.
Highlights included:
- Operational management and reporting tools used by WUC.
- A session on the retail model, focusing on commercial viability and logistics.
- The complete Meter-to-Cash lifecycle, from meter reading to revenue reporting.
- A field visit to active installation sites, offering hands-on insight into the technology and processes at ground level.
The benchmarking mission underscores NamWater’s commitment to modernizing water supply and revenue systems. The knowledge gained from WUC’s proven approaches will play a critical role in shaping Namibia’s Smart Water Metering Rollout Project, particularly the pilot initiative currently underway in BUNW, OlweegeOkashandja Branch line. Through collaboration, innovation, and shared experience, NamWater and WUC are building a regional model for efficient, transparent, and customer-oriented water service delivery.