Goldcard Smart Group’s water subsidiary is positioning Kenya as its gateway to Africa following a strategic meeting with the Water and Sanitation Providers Association (WASPA).
WASPA CEO Anthony Njaramba hosted Jason Wang, Key Account Manager at Goldcard Smart Group Co., Ltd., to discuss the potential for Goldcard Water Solutions’ intelligent metering and data-driven water management systems to strengthen Kenyan water utilities.
Goldcard has more than 28 years of experience in digital water metering. The company serves over 3,500 water utilities and 60 million households worldwide, with smart water solutions deployed in more than 2,000 cities across over 40 countries.
In August 2025, Goldcard signed a strategic agreement with South Korea’s PSTech. The two companies plan to cooperate on ultrasonic gas and water meter technology, establish automated smart meter manufacturing facilities, and pursue joint projects in international markets, including third countries.
Kenya’s non-revenue water crisis: 44% above benchmark
According to the Water Services Regulatory Board’s (WASREB) Impact Report 17, non-revenue water (NRW) levels in Kenya average 44 percent, well above the sector benchmark of 20 percent. The report states that only 15 percent of the population is connected to sewer networks, with 15 percent of domestic wastewater safely treated.
A tariff proposal from OlKejuado Water and Sanitation Company for 2025-2028 shows NRW targets of 44 percent for 2023/2024, with projected reductions to 30 percent by 2027/2028. The proposal includes planned investments in:
- AMR-enabled bulk meters
- Customer meters
- Meter replacement programs
- Cold water meter testing and calibration equipment
Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company announced in November 2025 that it has achieved 100 percent digital customer onboarding. All new customer applications are submitted and processed through its online portal. Customer bills are issued digitally via email and SMS, and the company has integrated digital meter reading and automated billing.
How digital water metering solutions benefit Kenyan utilities
The discussions between WASPA and Goldcard focused on how intelligent metering and data-driven solutions could benefit Kenyan water providers. Specific areas included:
- Revenue protection
- Reduction of non-revenue water
- Remote billing
- Network leak detection
Goldcard highlighted solutions tailored for large-scale rollouts and modular deployments for utilities of varying sizes. The company presented its global track record — combining hardware, communications, and cloud analytics — as a means to support digitalisation of Kenyan water networks, improve operational efficiency, and advance sustainability goals.
Kenya as anchor market for African smart water expansion
During the meeting, Goldcard expressed a keen interest in expanding into the African market, with Kenya serving as its anchor market for the continent. The company’s recent partnership with PSTech, which includes provisions for entering third-country markets, indicates active preparation for regional expansion.
Pilot projects and capacity building
WASPA and Goldcard agreed to continue technical exchanges and explore pilot projects. Potential next steps include:
- Joint feasibility studies to identify high-priority supply zones with the highest non-revenue water levels
- Pilot meter rollouts in selected supply zones, targeting areas where leak detection and remote billing can deliver the fastest returns
- Capacity-building programmes for utility staff on smart meter operations, data analytics, and predictive maintenance
The pilot phase is expected to focus on medium-sized water utilities where modular Goldcard solutions can be deployed within three to six months. Each pilot will generate real-time consumption data, leak alerts, and automated billing reports, allowing utility managers to compare pre- and post-installation revenue performance.
Goldcard has indicated that its cloud-based analytics platform can integrate with existing utility billing systems, reducing implementation friction. The company’s ultrasonic meter technology, which has no moving parts and requires minimal maintenance, is particularly suited for Kenya’s varied water quality conditions, according to the company.
Capacity-building programmes will include on-site training, remote technical support, and access to Goldcard’s global knowledge base. Utility staff will learn to interpret consumption patterns, identify unauthorized connections, and schedule predictive maintenance based on meter diagnostics.
As African utilities increasingly pursue efficiency and digital transformation, partnerships with experienced global suppliers offer a pathway to modernise meter infrastructure, tighten revenue streams, and improve service delivery. For Goldcard, successful pilot projects in Kenya will serve as a reference model for wider African expansion.
