Johannesburg's Metropolitan Tech Company (MTC), the city's main digital infrastructure provider, is facing significant operational challenges. With a mere 26 network employees tasked with maintaining 1,200km of fibre, the company is struggling under crippling budget constraints, skills shortages, and debt. Despite its crucial role in expanding public Wi-Fi and introducing connected technologies, MTC's 2026/27 business plan reveals that the company is "currently under-capacitated" with critical positions vacant due to budget constraints.
MTC's staffing breakdown reveals a severe shortage of skilled personnel, with only 26 employees in network operations, alongside eight in finance, six in supply chain management, five in audit, risk and compliance, and just one in legal services. The company acknowledges that these unfilled critical posts affect its ability to function optimally and service customers. Furthermore, MTC relies heavily on subsidies from the City of Johannesburg, with over 60% of its subsidy revenue going towards servicing its shareholder loan balance.
The company's budget for 2026/27 provides for around R570m in operating expenditure but a mere R20.7m in capital expenditure. MTC attributes insufficient capital budget allocations as a major factor affecting its ability to maintain existing network infrastructure and equipment, as well as its ability to grow and expand the network. Ageing and dilapidated equipment, power outages, and vandalism have also contributed to the company's struggles in meeting its network availability targets.
Despite these challenges, MTC has launched several initiatives aimed at expanding digital access in Johannesburg. In March, the company launched a "smart Wi-Fi" pilot in Slovo Park, which aimed to provide residents with Wi-Fi accessible from their homes, high-mast lighting, and integrated CCTV. Transport MMC Kenny Kunene emphasized that access to the internet is a human right, stating that it brings dignity and opportunities for learning and economic growth.
However, residents in Slovo Park have expressed concerns that the pilot is not delivering on its promises. Dan Moalahi, part of the Slovo Park Community Development Forum, reported that the smart masts with Wi-Fi have "very poor" signal, making it difficult to use. Thato Masiangoako, a researcher at the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa, questioned whether the community can actually connect to the network and whether the cameras are operational and monitored by the police.
The City of Johannesburg has reported that the project is 98% complete, but some work remained unfinished by the time of the public launch. MTC did not respond to detailed questions about the pilot's progress. The company's business plan sets a target of 200,000 connections to the city's free Wi-Fi network for 2026/27, a significant decrease from the 1,574,979 connections recorded in 2024/25.
The constraints faced by MTC are likely to have far-reaching implications for Johannesburg's digital infrastructure plans. The company's struggles with funding and staffing shortages have raised questions about its ability to expand and maintain its network. As the city continues to prioritize digital access and smart city initiatives, it remains to be seen whether MTC can overcome its challenges and deliver on its ambitious plans.
Key points
- Johannesburg's Metropolitan Tech Company faces significant funding and staffing shortages, jeopardizing its plans to expand public Wi-Fi and digital access.
- The company's business plan reveals that it is "currently under-capacitated" with critical positions vacant due to budget constraints.
- Residents in Slovo Park have expressed concerns that the "smart Wi-Fi" pilot is not delivering on its promises, with poor signal and unfinished work.
