Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Sustainable Infrastructure Development in Africa
ARUA CoE in Urbanization and Habitable Cities Hosts Panel on Leveraging AI for Sustainable Infrastructure Development in Africa
Date: 31 October 2025
Venue: Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Organised by: ARUA Centre of Excellence in Urbanization and Habitable Cities, University of Lagos
Theme: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Sustainable Infrastructure Development in Africa
Opening Session
The ARUA Centre of Excellence in Urbanization and Habitable Cities, hosted by the University of Lagos, convened an engaging panel session at the 2025 ARUA Biennial International Conference, held at Makerere University, Uganda. The session explored how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be harnessed to promote sustainable infrastructure and development across African cities.
Dr Thontteh opened the event by welcoming participants attending both physically and virtually. She introduced Professor Peter Elias, Co-Director of the Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development (CHSD), University of Lagos, who delivered the opening remarks on behalf of the University of Lagos DVC Prof. Bola Oboh (Academics and Research).
Opening Remarks by Professor Peter Elias
Professor Elias highlighted the evolution of the CHSD from its inception to becoming an ARUA Centre of Excellence. He explained the Centre’s multidisciplinary approach to research, policy development, and postgraduate training across Africa. He also noted the Centre’s key role in formulating housing and urban development policies, producing technical reports, and fostering partnerships between academia, industry, and government.
He further announced the upcoming International Conference on Land and Development, scheduled for 25–27 November 2025, themed “Sustainable Land Development and Urban Infrastructure in Africa.”
Keynote Presentation: Leveraging AI for Sustainable Infrastructure Development in Africa
The lead speaker, Dr. Lillian Donna Namujju, PhD, PMP, Ing., an energy economist, engineer, and AI strategist from Makerere University, delivered a profound keynote presentation titled “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Infrastructure Development in Africa.”
Dr. Namujju, a certified Project Management Professional with over 15 years of experience in strategic project execution, policy analysis, and innovation leadership, brought a rich cross-sector perspective to the discussion. She has held senior project management roles at MTN Uganda for over a decade and currently lectures at the College of Engineering, Makerere University. A trained Business AI Strategist with specialised training in AI for Business and AI for Educators, Dr. Namujju bridges the gap between engineering, project management, and digital innovation, demonstrating how structured project management and emerging technologies like AI can drive sustainable growth and transformation across Africa.
She underscored the critical need to address Africa’s data ecosystem deficit—the institutional and cultural barriers that hinder AI readiness. She argued that “data is the foundational infrastructure” for development and that Africa’s biggest challenge is not technology, but the lack of coordinated and interoperable data systems.
She highlighted case studies from Kenya, Uganda, and Nigeria, noting challenges such as fragmented governance, limited data-sharing culture, and over-reliance on foreign data storage systems. According to her, “digital sovereignty” must be prioritised if Africa is to lead its AI-driven development future.
Dr Namujju introduced the AIRS Framework (AI Readiness for Sustainable Infrastructure), structured around four pillars:
- Data Ecosystem Development – Building reliable, accessible, and sovereign data infrastructure.
- Institutional Readiness – Strengthening inter-ministerial coordination and leadership in data governance.
- Local Innovation – Encouraging African-designed AI tools tailored to regional realities.
- Ethical and Sovereign Governance – Promoting citizen trust, transparency, and data protection.
Panel Discussion: AI and Sustainable Urbanisation
The panel, moderated by Dr Thontteh, featured distinguished scholars:
- Dr Anthony Ikiriza – Martyrs University, Uganda
- Dr Ebila Florence – Institute of Gender and Development Studies, Makerere University
- Professor Peter Elias – Co-Director, CHSD, University of Lagos
Key Contributions
- Dr Ebila Florence emphasised the importance of collaboration between institutions and government agencies, especially in managing and owning local data. She highlighted the need to “decolonise data” and ensure ethical use of AI in education and research.
- Professor Peter Elias discussed AI’s transformative potential in urban planning and management. He explained how AI can enhance geospatial analysis, flood hazard modelling, and participatory planning using citizen-generated data.
- Dr Anthony Ikiriza focused on AI’s role in predictive modelling for public health, waste management, and urban resilience. He called for standardised and accessible data formats across African institutions.
The panellists agreed that Africa’s challenge is not data scarcity but data integration—the need for harmonised, interoperable systems that allow AI applications to inform evidence-based decision-making.
Capacity Building and the Role of Universities
The panel further explored strategies for AI capacity building within African higher institutions.
Dr Ebila urged universities to strengthen digital literacy, ethical AI education, and inclusive innovation across disciplines. Professor Elias called for restructured research funding models that retain resources within African institutions. Dr Namujju and Dr Ikiriza stressed the need for shared infrastructure, such as regional data hosting centres and cross-disciplinary AI programmes that link computing, planning, and public health.
Interactive Q&A Session
The interactive Q&A featured participants from across Africa, including Ethiopia, Uganda, and Nigeria.
Key insights included:
- AI as a governance and constitutional issue (Kataman, Addis Ababa University)
- Bridging the leadership-technology gap through policy awareness (Martin Bakundana, Makerere University)
- Cultural barriers to data collection and privacy concerns (Temitope Owolabi, University of Lagos)
Dr Namujju reiterated that academia must play a central role in advising policymakers, citing Rwanda as a model for integrating youth and experts into national decision-making.
Professor Elias emphasised curriculum reform to include digital skills and emerging technologies, while Dr Florence drew attention to gender equity in AI access and participation. Dr Fabiyi (American International University) concluded that sustainable AI adoption requires simultaneous investment in digital and physical infrastructure.
Presentation of Plaques
In closing, all the facilitators and panellists were presented with plaques in recognition of their valuable intellectual contributions and commitment to the success of the session.
Conclusion
The session reaffirmed that AI holds immense potential to transform Africa’s infrastructure and cities, but this transformation must be built upon a strong foundation of data sovereignty, institutional coordination, and inclusive innovation. The ARUA CoE in Urbanization and Habitable Cities continues to lead collaborative research and policy dialogue to advance sustainable urban futures across Africa.
