By Albert Oosthuysen, CEO of Net Nine Nine
South Africa has no shortage of conversations about infrastructure. We debate roads, water systems, electricity networks and housing developments almost daily. These discussions are important because infrastructure remains one of the foundations upon which economic growth and service delivery are built.
Yet there is another form of infrastructure that is becoming just as important to the future of municipalities, and it is often overlooked.
Digital infrastructure.
For many people, internet connectivity is still viewed as a convenience. It is something that allows residents to stream movies, attend virtual meetings or browse social media. While these uses are certainly part of the picture, they miss the much larger opportunity that connectivity presents.
The municipalities that thrive over the next decade will not necessarily be those that spend the most on traditional infrastructure. They will be the ones that understand how digital infrastructure can improve service delivery, strengthen local economies and create more attractive environments for businesses and residents alike.
The municipality of the future will not be built with concrete alone.
A new layer of municipal infrastructure
Historically, municipalities have focused on physical infrastructure because that is where service delivery begins. Roads connect communities. Water systems support households and businesses. Electricity powers economic activity.
These assets remain essential, but they are no longer sufficient on their own.
As economies become increasingly digital, municipalities need the infrastructure that allows information, services and opportunities to move as efficiently as people and goods.
In many ways, fibre networks and digital systems are becoming the roads of the modern economy.
A municipality with poor connectivity is increasingly at a disadvantage, regardless of how attractive it may be in other respects. Businesses expect reliable internet access. Professionals require connectivity to work remotely. Entrepreneurs depend on digital platforms to reach customers and manage operations.
Without the underlying digital infrastructure, participation in the modern economy becomes significantly more difficult.
Better connectivity means better service delivery
South Africans are understandably frustrated by service delivery failures. Residents want municipalities that are responsive, transparent and efficient.
Digital infrastructure can play an important role in making this possible.
Consider the challenges many municipalities face when managing water networks. Leaks can go undetected for extended periods, resulting in significant losses before repairs are carried out. Smart monitoring systems can identify problems much earlier, allowing municipalities to respond more quickly and reduce waste.
The same principle applies to electricity networks, refuse collection, traffic management and public reporting systems.
Residents increasingly expect to be able to log faults, track requests and receive updates without standing in queues or navigating complex bureaucratic processes.
Technology is not a substitute for competent governance, but it can make capable municipalities significantly more effective.
Importantly, digital systems also improve transparency. Citizens are more likely to trust local government when they can access information, monitor progress and engage with municipal services in a straightforward manner.
Creating more competitive municipalities
The discussion around connectivity should not be limited to service delivery.
It should also be viewed through the lens of economic development.
For decades, economic activity in South Africa has been concentrated around a handful of metropolitan areas. Businesses, skilled professionals and investment have naturally gravitated towards regions with stronger infrastructure and greater economic opportunities.
Digital infrastructure creates an opportunity to rethink this dynamic.
A well-connected municipality in Limpopo, the Eastern Cape or the Northern Cape is better positioned to attract investment than one that remains digitally isolated. Reliable connectivity allows businesses to operate more efficiently, enables remote working and provides access to broader markets.
For young professionals, connectivity can reduce the pressure to relocate to major economic centres simply to access opportunities.
For entrepreneurs, it opens the door to customers and clients that may be located hundreds of kilometres away.
The result is that connectivity becomes more than a technology issue. It becomes a tool for regional economic development.
Supporting the digital economy agenda
South Africa has ambitious goals for building a more competitive digital economy. Encouragingly, government has shown a willingness to engage with industry and create an environment that supports innovation and investment.
However, national ambitions must eventually translate into local outcomes.
The reality is that citizens experience government primarily through municipalities. They apply for permits through municipalities. They pay accounts to municipalities. They rely on municipalities for many of the services that affect their daily lives.
If local government is not equipped to participate in the digital economy, then national digital ambitions will struggle to achieve their full potential.
This is why connectivity should be viewed as a strategic municipal asset rather than a discretionary expense.
The municipalities that embrace digital infrastructure today will be better positioned to meet the demands of tomorrow.
Looking beyond the next election cycle
One of the challenges facing local government is the tendency to focus on immediate needs and short-term priorities. This is understandable given the pressures municipalities face.
However, digital infrastructure requires a longer-term perspective.
The decisions made today regarding connectivity, digital systems and technology adoption will influence economic competitiveness for years to come.
Municipal leaders should therefore ask themselves a simple question.
What will make people choose to live, work and invest in our communities ten years from now?
The answer will certainly include reliable water, electricity and transport infrastructure.
Increasingly, it will also include reliable digital infrastructure.
The municipality of the future will still require roads, pipes and power lines. But it will also require fibre networks, digital platforms and the ability to connect residents, businesses and government in ways that were not previously possible.
In a world where economic opportunity is increasingly driven by information and connectivity, digital infrastructure is no longer a luxury. It is becoming a prerequisite for growth.
The municipalities that recognise this shift will be the ones best positioned to attract investment, improve service delivery and create opportunities for future generations.
