In South Africa, the vision of smart cities is more than just an aspiration – it’s a potential solution to some of the country’s most pressing urban challenges.
By Dean Wolson, GM: infrastructure solutions group at Lenovo Africa
From traffic congestion to unreliable water supply and waste management inefficiencies, municipalities are struggling to deliver essential services to a growing population. While some regions have made progress with isolated projects, such as public bike-sharing schemes or ‘smart’ waste bins, these piecemeal efforts fall short of the true potential of smart cities.
A truly smart city must be built on a robust infrastructure capable of managing a variety of services—The key to realizing this vision lies in harnessing the power of AI and advanced technology to ensure that different departments within city governments can collaborate effectively. Achieving this requires not just the technology but a unified vision that prioritizes the real needs of citizens, transforming urban spaces into more efficient and equitable environments for all.
AI’s Role in Africa’s Smart City Revolution
Across Africa, cities like Kigali in Rwanda, Cape Town in South Africa, and Nairobi in Kenya are spearheading efforts to develop smart city infrastructures.
However, the adoption of ‘smart’ technology in many other African cities remains slow. The key challenges are often funding and cooperation across multiple departments. Developing smart cities requires various governmental sectors to work together, which can be complicated by the siloed nature of city departments.
For instance, upgrading the transport network in a city often demands simultaneous improvements in power and internet infrastructure, which are typically overseen by separate entities. When departments fail to collaborate effectively, it hinders the implementation of smart solutions.
However, with the right infrastructure in place, artificial intelligence (AI) has the power to integrate information from these disconnected domains, fostering cooperation and empowering cities with the technological harmony needed for innovation. Rwanda’s Vision City, is a prime example of how technology can enhance urban planning. AI could be used to streamline transport, energy, and government services, reducing operational inefficiencies while supporting growth.
Globally, Dubai’s smart city initiative offers valuable lessons. The city has embraced AI to break down barriers between departments and between citizens and government services. With more than 130 smart projects and 1 000 smart services, Dubai’s strategy goes beyond making the city “smart” – it focuses on making its processes smart. For example, it has eliminated paper from government processes entirely, allowing for seamless integration of services.
Citizens and tourists alike benefit from more efficient processes, whether they are applying for visas, paying bills, or moving phone contracts. AI has also enabled the city to introduce a generative AI assistant that provides real-time, personalized government service assistance.
Contrary to fears that AI would eliminate jobs, in places like Abu Dhabi, it has proven to increase efficiency and free up human resources for more critical tasks. For instance, IoT sensors monitor water levels in tanks around the city, replacing manual inspections and using AI algorithms to trigger services in real-time. This frees inspectors to focus on higher-value tasks, such as improving water quality and enforcing regulations.
The potential for African cities to follow these examples is immense. Cities like Kigali and Cape Town can use AI to similarly integrate siloed departments, streamline processes, and empower workers, moving toward an efficient and citizen-focused future. The real obstacle isn’t the technology itself but aligning the cooperation and investment needed to bring these systems to life
Building trust in AI
AI has the potential to significantly enhance public safety across Africa’s growing cities, but it’s crucial to build trust in this technology.’ Traditional surveillance systems often generate vast amounts of data that remain unused or unanalysed, limiting their effectiveness. By applying AI to this data in a privacy-conscious manner, cities can increase safety while maintaining the confidence of their citizens.
In African cities like Johannesburg and Nairobi, where public safety is a pressing issue, AI could play a transformative role. For instance, AI-powered surveillance can assist in identifying potential dangers, such as accidents or criminal activity, in real-time. This proactive approach can help reduce crime and respond more quickly to emergencies, particularly in busy areas such as transport hubs, marketplaces, and business districts.
Denmark provides an excellent example of how AI can be used effectively without compromising privacy. The country’s railway authorities have deployed AI and machine learning to monitor station platforms, alerting staff if someone is about to step onto the tracks. In situations where people may become distracted – like dropping their phone on the tracks – AI can predict their risky behaviour and trigger an alert, potentially saving lives. If African cities were to implement similar technologies, it could prevent accidents on public transport networks, improving overall public safety.
However, for AI to be fully embraced in Africa, it’s essential to emphasise that privacy will be respected. AI systems must strike a balance between enhancing public safety and ensuring citizens do not feel that their privacy is being invaded. By using AI to boost safety in a non-intrusive way, African smart cities can demonstrate that their goal is not surveillance but protecting lives. For example, in Cape Town, which has already adopted smart city technologies, the focus has been on using AI for traffic monitoring and emergency response, prioritizing public safety without infringing on privacy.
By openly communicating how AI safeguards privacy while delivering important safety benefits, African cities can foster trust and ensure that technology serves their people, not just their systems.
The Blueprint for Smarter, Future-Ready Cities
The cities of the future are envisioned as hubs of innovation and efficiency, driven by a commitment to enhancing residents’ quality of life. The success of these smart cities hinges on several crucial factors. At the core is the ambition to improve the everyday experience of citizens through streamlined government services, enhanced public safety, and a steadfast commitment to privacy.
For Southern African cities to realize this vision, they need more than just advanced technology; they require a coordinated approach across various municipal departments. Artificial intelligence (AI) can play a transformative role here, facilitating seamless collaboration and data-sharing between different sectors, breaking down traditional silos. This is particularly important in a diverse and complex urban landscape like South Africa’s.
However, the most essential element is the development of robust and adaptable infrastructure. From the early stages, city leaders must focus on creating a technological framework that supports ongoing improvements and effective service delivery. Thoughtful planning and strategic investment in infrastructure are crucial to ensuring that local cities are not only smart but also resilient and sustainable.
Ultimately, building the cities of the future in southern Africa involves more than integrating technology; it requires a unified vision that brings together people, policy, and innovation to create urban environments where all citizens can thrive.