Digitalisation

Globally, digitalisation represents a watershed moment in the evolution of urban development, offering unparalleled opportunities to reimagine and revitalize cities. At the forefront of this transformation is a convergence of technology and urban living, reshaping the way we inhabit, interact with, and envision our cities. Embracing digitalisation has become an imperative for cities aspiring to thrive, as evidenced by the emergence of smart cities, which hold the promise of improving service delivery, citizens’ well-being, economic development, and sustainability.

Digitalisation in Africa encompasses a spectrum of initiatives and interventions, ranging from the deployment of smart infrastructure and the expansion of digital connectivity to the proliferation of e-governance platforms and the emergence of tech-driven innovation hubs. These advancements hold the potential to transform urban systems, optimize resource allocation, and enhance service delivery across sectors such as transportation, energy, healthcare, education, and governance, among others. Additionally, digital technologies present unique opportunities to address longstanding urban challenges, including informal settlements, inadequate infrastructure, and environmental degradation. By leveraging digital technologies such as data analytics, remote sensing, and geospatial technologies, cities in Africa can gain insights into urban dynamics, inform evidence-based decision-making, and design targeted interventions to improve the quality of life for urban populations.