Africa and Asia Drive Global Smart Meter Procurement Surge in 2026

Africa and Asia Drive Global Smart Meter Procurement Surge in 2026

Summary: From Egypt's 530,000-unit smart meter tender to Kenya's prepaid meter rollout, emerging markets in Africa and Asia are driving the next wave of electricity meter procurement, with total project values exceeding $700 million.

Emerging economies across Africa, Asia, and Latin America are emerging as the primary drivers of global electricity meter procurement in 2026. With massive population growth, expanding electrification programs, and revenue-protection imperatives, utilities in these regions are launching tender after tender for smart prepaid and AMI metering systems.

Egypt: 530,000-Unit Smart Meter Mega-Tender

In May 2026, Egypt's Ministry of Electricity and Energy officially opened one of the largest smart meter procurement programs in Africa, seeking supply of 530,000 smart electricity meters. Twelve global and local companies submitted technical and commercial bids, including:

Additionally, the EU and Egypt unlocked a EUR 690 million grid modernization package in June 2026, which includes deployment of 2 million smart meters across the national grid, SCADA hub renovation in Cairo, and advanced metering infrastructure integration. Bidders for the AMI/SCADA component include Honeywell, Siemens, ABB, and local Egyptian technology firms partnering with multinational integrators.

Kenya: KPLC Prepaid Meter Tender for Off-Grid Solar

Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) issued a tender in May 2026 for prepaid meters to support off-grid solar expansion under the Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project (KOSAP). The bid security requirement is set at Ksh 5.3 million (approximately $40,400), with a submission deadline of June 16, 2026. The project targets underserved populations through a joint effort between the Ministry of Energy, KPLC, and the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC).

South Africa: ESKOM and eThekwini Municipality

ESKOM Holdings SOC Ltd issued a tender for the supply, delivery, and installation of smart meters to reduce the number of customers affected by load reduction, with a one-year installation period. Separately, the eThekwini Municipality (KwaZulu-Natal) issued Tender No. 36514(5E) for field installation of AMI components for customers within the municipality area over a 36-month period, closing in September 2026.

India: RDSS Progress and Uttar Pradesh/Bihar Award

India's Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) continues to drive massive procurement. As of January 2026, 40.5 million smart meters have been installed nationwide under the scheme, against the 250 million target by FY 2026. State-wise deployment leaders include:

The Landis+Gyr $180 million contract for 3 million prepaid meters in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, with installation expected by December 2027, represents one of the largest single-vendor awards under the RDSS framework.

Zimbabwe: Prepaid Meter Expansion

The City of Gweru in Zimbabwe issued Tender No. COG/06/07/2026 for finance, supply, delivery, installation, testing, and commissioning of prepaid meters, with a closing date of September 8, 2026. This reflects the broader trend of Zimbabwean municipalities transitioning from postpaid to prepaid metering systems to improve revenue collection.

Key Procurement Trends

The 2026 procurement landscape reveals several clear patterns:

Source: BidDetail.com; HapaKenya.com; TheAfrica.co.za; 11467.com; EU-Egypt Bilateral Agreement; Mordor Intelligence MEA Smart Meters Market Report; PIB India (pib.gov.in); RDSS MIS Dashboard, Government of India; Zimbabwe Electronic Government Procurement System (egp.praz.org.zw).