Digital construction future for Africa now
Contents |
Digital construction and its challenges in Africa
The use of digital technology to enhance construction processes and operations has become popular all over the world. Only a few countries including South Africa are at the forefront of its adoption in Africa while countries like China and Saudi Arabia, Canada, Brazil, and Turkey are leading in adopting digital technologies in construction in other parts of the world.
Despite the popularisation of digitalised technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, drones, 3D printing, robotics, smart buildings, smart cities, digital twins, and the metaverse, Africa is yet to up with this new concept due to major factors such as lack of awareness of digitalisation, poor power supply, lack of adequate digital training facilities, high cost of digital infrastructure and lack of research in digitalisation.
Addressing core issues
To improve the effectiveness of construction operations and project performance through the adoption of digital technologies, poor power supply has to be addressed by the government, professionals need to be trained on digital tools, regulations should be put in place for the digital technology industry, professional bodies need to create awareness of the benefits of digitalisation and built environment stakeholders should organise conferences and seminars to encourage their members to adopt digitalisation.
About
Article written by Babatunji Adegoke, MRICS, PMP, MNSE, MNIQS. Babatunji who has over a decade of hands-on experience in the delivery and management of projects in various sectors including complex projects in the property, construction, and civil engineering industry. Babatunji is a Chartered Project Management Surveyor of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS), a Project Management Professional (PMP) certified by PMI USA, a corporate member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, a professional member of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, a registered Engineer with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria and a registered Quantity Surveyor with Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria.
Related articles on Designing Buildings
- A better investment framework for Africa.
- Africa tops world AC growth forecasts.
- Digital.
- Digitisation.
- Digital information.
- Digitalisation in Construction.
- Digitalisation v digitization.
- Digital technology.
- Interview with Su Butcher, Director, Just Practising Limited.
- These giant infrastructure projects are set to reshape Africa
- Review of Industry Digitalisation.
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.