Expert Proposed AI and Digital Twins for African Growth
Digital engineering tools may bridge the growing infrastructure financing gap across the continent.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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At the 12th UNESCO Africa Engineering Week, Engr. Dr. Bola Mudasiru outlined a proposal to integrate artificial intelligence and digital twins to manage complex infrastructure lifecycles. The research-stage proposal aims to improve investment efficiency amidst a multibillion-dollar funding shortfall.
Why it matters
As the continent's population moves toward a projected 4 billion by 2100, infrastructure requirements are expected to reach $400 billion annually. Optimizing these assets through technology could mitigate the current annual financing gap of up to $108 billion.
Digital twins utilize real-time sensor data to maintain a virtual replica of physical infrastructure. This method enables monitoring across all stages, including design, maintenance, and asset replacement, versus traditional static management models.
The players
Bola Mudasiru
Acting national chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Highway and Transportation Engineers and vice president-elect of the West African Federation of Engineering Organisations.
UNESCO Africa Engineering Week
A recurring international forum focused on engineering standards, sustainable development, and infrastructure advancement across African nations.
The details
Digital twins use sensors installed on physical assets to feed continuous data into a virtual model, allowing engineers to track real-time performance. Artificial intelligence algorithms analyze this data to streamline planning and maintenance workflows. By automating asset lifecycle management, the approach aims to increase the predictability and financial return on large-scale engineering projects.
Timeline
The presentation occurred at the UNESCO Africa Engineering Week in September 2026.
African infrastructure requirements are projected to surpass $250 billion by 2050.
Projected infrastructure demand is expected to reach $400 billion by 2100.
The Tech Race
This proposal aligns with the broader push to digitize engineering workflows within the UNESCO Africa Engineering Week mandate. It marks a shift toward data-centric infrastructure management intended to compete with traditional, less efficient development cycles.
The transition to these technologies would primarily affect public sector project workflows and large-scale utility operations. Implementation timelines remain unannounced, pending further regional policy adoption and technical feasibility studies.
The takeaway
The strategy highlights a reliance on digital twins to manage the rising demands of a population projected to hit 2.5 billion by 2050. Watch for future findings from the West African Federation of Engineering Organisations regarding pilot project feasibility.
Further reading
For broader trends in global infrastructure technology, see the latest updates on Artificial Intelligence.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Leadership.
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Can digital technologies like AI bridge the massive infrastructure funding gaps in developing nations?
