On Monday, technology experts gathered in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, to promote the development of smart cities in Africa. The Data Driven Cities conference was attended by over 100 stakeholders comprising senior government officials, the private sector, and academia in Africa to foster innovation and collaboration in the development of smart cities on the continent that provide efficient services to its residents (source).
Edward Kisiang’ani, Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Communications and Digital Economy, said in his keynote address that Kenya is currently at the forefront of pioneering initiatives with the development of Konza Technopolis, a technology city located about 70 kilometers south of Nairobi that embodies the principles of sustainability, innovation, and inclusion. “The first phase of Konza City is nearing completion, marking an important step forward in our commitment to building smarter and more resilient cities,” Kisiang’ani said.
He noted that Africa can develop smart cities by using data to contribute to evidence-based decision-making to create urban centers that respond to the needs of city dwellers.
Delyno du Toit, data science manager for the City of Cape Town in South Africa, said smart cities have the potential to improve the quality of life for residents while promoting economic growth and encouraging environmental sustainability. “From leveraging data analytics and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to optimize urban infrastructure and services to harnessing digital innovation to address pressing urban challenges, building smarter cities is both promising and imperative,” he said.
He added that smart cities in Africa will ensure that the continent combats climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from human activities.
Judith Quarshie, head of library and documentation at Ghana’s Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development emphasized how African cities can leverage digital tools to become climate-resilient. He noted that African urban centers need to invest in renewable energy sources such as solar power or wind energy. Additionally investing in artificial intelligence systems could help minimize energy usage through optimizing resource allocation based on real-time demand patterns. These investments are essential for creating sustainable urban environments for future generations.
As we look towards a future where urbanization continues at a rapid pace across Africa it becomes increasingly important for these growing centers not only be sustainable but also embrace technological advancements which will enable them not just survive but thrive through these times ahead (source).
Wataalamu wa teknolojia wamekusanyika mjini Nairobi, Kenya, kusisitiza maendeleo ya miji mikubwa barani Afrika. Mkutano wa Data Driven Cities ulishirikiwa na wadau zaidi ya 100 wakiwemo maafisa wa juu wa serikali, sekta binafsi, na wasomi katika Afrika kukuza ubunifu na ushirikiano katika maendeleo ya miji ya akili katika bara hilo ambayo hutoa huduma bora kwa wakazi wake. "Edward Kisiangani, Katibu Mkuu wa Wizara ya Habari, Mawasiliano na Uchumi wa Dijiti, alisema katika hotuba yake ya msingi kwamba Kenya kwa sasa iko mbele ya mipango ya upainia na maendeleo ya Konza Technopolis, mji wa teknolojia ulio karibu kilomita 70 kusini mwa Nairobi ambao unajumuisha kanuni za uendelevu, ubunifu na ujumuishaji. """ "Hatua ya kwanza ya Jiji la Konza inakaribia kukamilika, ikionyesha hatua muhimu mbele katika kujitolea kwetu kujenga miji ya akili na yenye nguvu zaidi", Kisiangani alisema. "Maafisa wa Umoja wa Mataifa wanasema Afrika inaweza kuendeleza miji ya akili kwa kutumia data ili kuchangia maamuzi ya msingi wa ushahidi ili kuunda vituo vya mijini vinavyokidhi mahitaji ya wakazi wa jiji. """ Deliano Du Toit, meneja wa sayansi ya data wa Jiji la Cape Town, Afrika Kusini, alisema miji ya akili ina uwezo wa kuboresha ubora wa maisha kwa wakazi wakati wa kukuza ukuaji wa kiuchumi na kuhamasisha uendelevu wa mazingira. "Kutoka kwa kutumia uchambuzi wa data na teknolojia za Mtandao wa Vitu (IoT) ili kuboresha miundombinu na huduma za mijini hadi kutumia uvumbuzi wa dijiti kukabiliana na changamoto za mijini, kujenga miji ya akili ni ya kuahidi na ya lazima", alisema. "Miji ya kiakili ya Afrika itahakikisha kwamba bara linaweza kupambana na mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa kwa kupunguza uzalishaji wa gesi za chafu kutoka kwa shughuli za binadamu. """ Judith Quarshie, mkuu wa maktaba na nyaraka katika Wizara ya Serikali za Mitaa, Kutotegemea mamlaka na Maendeleo ya Vijijini ya Ghana, alisisitiza jinsi miji ya Afrika inaweza kutumia zana za dijiti kuwa thabiti kwa hali ya hewa. Alisema kuwa miji ya Afrika inahitaji kuwekeza katika vyanzo vya nishati mbadala kama vile nishati ya jua au nishati ya upepo. Kwa kuongezea, kuwekeza katika mifumo ya akili bandia inaweza kusaidia kupunguza matumizi ya nishati kupitia optimizing ugawaji wa rasilimali kulingana na mifumo ya mahitaji ya wakati halisi. Uwekezaji huu ni muhimu kwa ajili ya kujenga mazingira endelevu ya mijini kwa ajili ya vizazi vijavyo. """Kama tunaangalia kuelekea siku zijazo ambapo mijini inaendelea kwa kasi katika Afrika, inakuwa muhimu zaidi kwa vituo hivi vinavyoongezeka kuwa sio tu endelevu lakini pia kukumbatia maendeleo ya kiteknolojia ambayo yatawawezesha sio kuishi tu bali kustawi katika nyakati hizi za mbele."