Lumkani

The problem

The Lumkani system assists vulnerable communities in South Africa’s informal settlements to avoid a cycle of increasing poverty due to accidental fires within settlements, a massive socio-economic and humanitarian challenge.

Low-income communities in South Africa lack access to early warning systems and financial tools to prevent, withstand and recover from fire-related disasters. The existing fire detection and warning systems built on 2G networks are key to sending life-saving real-time alerts to communities in the event of fire – these now face obsolescence due to upcoming network sunsets.

The company

Lumkani works with low-income communities to co-develop products and services that improve dignity, safety and financial security.

Project description

The GSMA grant funding provided support for the scale up of the IOT fire prevention device to 20,000 homes within informal settlement homes in South Africa. The smart devices provide autonomous, real-time monitoring and 2-way SMS alert to residents allowing the verification of fire events instantly. Once installed residents are able to opt-in to a micro-insurance scheme provided by Hollard Insurance, which will insure their homes against damage or loss to fire. Lumkani worked with Islamic Relief South Africa to identify the most appropriate settlements for roll out of the devices and to build awareness through their community networks. Download the project case study here.

In 2025, Lumkani received additional funding to  scale-up their patented RF mesh network mobile technology solution and IoT early warning fire sensors. The solution is Integrated with customised microinsurance, to increase access to early warning and financial protection services among high-risk, low-income households and micro-businesses in informal settlements in South Africa. This will lead to increased access to early warning and financial protection services for informal households and microbusinesses facing chronic fire risk. Central to this project is the installation and expansion of the gateway alert infrastructure from the current 2G enabled to 4G enabled gateways. This is critical as existing systems built on 2G networks face obsolescence due to upcoming 2G network sunset.

Project outcomes

The project with additional funding received in December 2025, aims to install 6,000 fire detectors and 100 4G gateways across high-risk informal settlements in South Africa, protecting 27,825 direct users by the end of the grant. It also seeks to expand microinsurance access, train 30 new female agents, and strengthen community resilience through real-time alerts and financial recovery support.

Scaling Journey / Traction

As of 2025:

• There have been 20,000+ active customers across South Africa’s informal settlements, with 66% of users and 100% of agents being women.
• Over 64,000 fire alerts triggered and 20,182 detectors installed, demonstrating strong impact in reducing fire spread and improving community safety