Industrial IT and connectivity solutions company Sedna Africa has secured a landmark contract to deploy a private mobile network at the Port of Beira, in Mozambique, which will significantly enhance safety, productivity and operational efficiency.

Africa’s ageing infrastructure cannot meet the demands of modern industrial use cases, particularly when it comes to connectivity. Almost every major port on the continent operates on narrow-band technologies with limited data throughput, which hampers their digital transformation efforts, says Sedna Africa MD Anton Fester.

However, mobile private networks deliver reliable, high-throughput connectivity that is mission-critical for safety, automation and productivity at ports and mines, and other heavy industries, he adds.

“Improved port infrastructure and efficiency will attract more trade, boosting economic growth, and enhanced capabilities will support industries, create jobs and generate revenue.

“Modernising, digitising and focusing on safety and automation are critical components to ensure the port is future-fit,” he says.

The Port of Beira is a critical maritime facility for Mozambique and Southern Africa. The planned infrastructure and improvement projects at the port aim to significantly enhance its efficiency, capacity, and operational capabilities, says maritime logistics and port company Cornelder MD Jan de Vries.

Meanwhile, this deployment sees Sedna expand beyond mining into other heavy industry sectors, such as ports, manufacturing and oil and gas. This follows the structural changes undertaken in 2024 and renewed focus on growth across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

The Port of Beira project is on track for deployment, reinforcing Sedna’s strategic intent to support any production-heavy environment where safety helmets and hard hats are standard and where technology can drive operational excellence, says Fester.

“We’re using the knowledge, skills and experience honed in mining to tackle infrastructure bottlenecks across Africa,” he says.

The company's expanded offering includes mobile private networks, operational technology governance, enabling communication layers, and distributed fibre sensing to help industries better manage risks, monitor conditions and avoid costly breakdowns.

“Recent trials in advanced fibre-optic sensing technology, embedded within conveyor systems, have demonstrated the ability to detect wear, failures, and fires, thereby enhancing preventive maintenance and safety. The technology can directly boost condition monitoring and risk management at the port,” Fester says.

“Besides the Internet of Things, Africa needs an Internet of People, which can be achieved by connecting not just assets, but communities. Every project contributes to a connected, more inclusive future for Africans,” he says.