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IOL News
23-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Leveraging data and AI to bridge Africa's $90 billion infrastructure gap
The African Development Bank estimates this shortfall shaves nearly 2% off GDP growth each year, choking economic potential and social progress. By Nomvula Mabuza Africa's infrastructure deficit, a $90 billion annual gap, casts a long shadow over the continent's future. The African Development Bank estimates this shortfall shaves nearly 2% off GDP growth each year, choking economic potential and social progress. From unreliable power grids to crumbling roads, these gaps inflate costs, isolate communities and stifle opportunity. Yet, within this challenge lies a chance to reimagine infrastructure through data and artificial intelligence (AI), transforming obstacles into pathways for growth. The infrastructure gap ripples across Africa's economy and society. Poor logistics, with transport costs 30-40% higher than in other regions, undermine the African Continental Free Trade Area's (AfCFTA) promise of a 52% boost in intra-African trade. These inefficiencies translate into pricier goods and fewer jobs, locking nations in a cycle of lost potential. Limited access to electricity and reliable roads further restricts digital economies and isolates rural areas, with logistics bottlenecks costing the continent $130 billion annually in economic inefficiencies. Closing this gap is not just a necessity but an economic opportunity, poised to unlock billions in growth and attract investment from across the globe. Systemic barriers sustain this crisis. African governments collect less tax revenue than other developing regions, leaving them with limited funds for major projects. Compounding this, fewer than 10% of proposed infrastructure projects reach financial close, as 80% falter at the feasibility stage due to inadequate planning. Private investment, which hit only $40 billion in 2021, remains a fraction of what's needed. At the heart of these issues lies a critical flaw: incomplete, outdated and fragmented data. Without real-time insights into road conditions, energy access, or logistical efficiency, planning becomes guesswork and investors shy away from high-risk ventures. Leveraging Data and AI to Bridge Africa's $90 Billion Infrastructure Gap A bold, AI-enabled strategy can turn disparate data into actionable insights, revolutionizing infrastructure planning. A continent-wide, open-source repository could aggregate real-time metrics from all 54 African nations—project costs, completion rates, demographic needs. Kenya's Open Data Portal shows how such platforms can break down silos and guide decisions. AI can pinpoint high-return projects, like solar grids in underserved rural areas, ensuring efficient, impactful investments. Satellite imagery and geographic information systems, as used by Digital Earth Africa, offer real-time oversight to prevent delays and mitigate environmental risks, supporting projects like Ethiopia's Grand Renaissance Dam. Mobile apps, inspired by Ushahidi, can empower citizens to report issues like potholes or outages, fostering accountability and highlighting urgent needs. Rwanda's partnership with Zipline demonstrates the transformative potential of data-driven solutions. Since 2016, Zipline has leveraged real-time data to deliver blood and vaccines by drone, slashing delivery times from hours to minutes and serving over 2,500 health facilities. This innovation not only bolsters healthcare but also shows how technology can address logistical gaps, drawing investment and offering a scalable model for infrastructure challenges across Africa. Technology alone cannot bridge the infrastructure gap—robust governance is the bedrock of success. Across Africa, distrust in data systems and a shortage of skilled professionals pose significant barriers. Citizens hesitate to share data without assurances of privacy and governments struggle to implement AI tools without local expertise. South Africa's Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), enacted in 2020, offers a model for addressing these concerns. By enforcing strict data privacy standards, POPIA has bolstered public confidence, enabling projects like digital health platforms that rely on secure data-sharing. Similarly, capacitybuilding initiatives are critical. Carnegie Mellon University Africa, based in Rwanda, trains hundreds of data scientists annually, equipping them to develop and manage AI-driven infrastructure solutions. For example, graduates have contributed to optimizing Rwanda's energy grid, ensuring data tools translate into real-world impact. Beyond privacy and skills, governance must foster transparency to attract investment. Clear regulatory frameworks, like those piloted in Kenya for public-private partnerships, reduce risks for investors, making projects like the Nairobi-Mombasa Expressway more bankable. Without these governance pillars—privacy, Leveraging Data and AI to Bridge Africa's $90 Billion Infrastructure Gap capacity and transparency—the promise of data and AI risks remaining out of reach. Significant hurdles remain. With internet penetration in rural Africa at just 25%, community-driven data collection faces limitations. Privacy concerns, even with laws like POPIA, could erode trust in data platforms. Yet, these challenges are not insurmountable. Targeted investments in digital infrastructure, such as expanding mobile networks and public education campaigns to clarify data privacy protections can pave the way for success. The path to closing Africa's infrastructure gap demands collective action, rooted in collaboration and innovation. African governments must lead by launching pilot data platforms in high-need regions, where real-time insights can guide energy and transport projects with precision. Multilateral institutions, such as the African Development Bank and United Nations, should channel resources into AI-driven project pipelines, demonstrating the viability of data-driven approaches through measurable outcomes. Technology companies, both global and local, must unite to develop scalable tools—from geospatial analytics to citizen-reporting apps—that empower planners and communities to address infrastructure challenges effectively. Investors hold a critical role in this transformation. By backing data-driven projects through dedicated infrastructure funds, they can mitigate risks, unlock substantial economic returns and drive sustainable growth across the continent. The opportunity is clear: coordinated action today can turn Africa's infrastructure vision into reality, fueling prosperity for generations. Africa's $90 billion infrastructure gap is a challenge that demands bold innovation. Data and AI, from centralized platforms to predictive analytics, hold the key to unlocking AfCFTA's potential for a 52% surge in intra-African trade and reversing the 2% annual GDP losses that hobble progress. Inaction carries a steep price—billions in economic potential slip away each year, leaving communities disconnected and opportunities unrealized. By embracing data-driven solutions, Africa can build a future where reliable roads link markets, electricity powers digital economies and infrastructure fuels job creation and prosperity. The tools exist and the stakes are clear: act now to transform the continent's infrastructure and secure a thriving, connected tomorrow. Nomvula Mabuza is a Risk Governance and Compliance Specialist with extensive experience in strategic risk and industrial operations. She is an MBA candidate at Henley Business School, South Africa. BUSINESS REPORT
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Yahoo
‘We're going backward:' Rochester police link social media to violent crime trends
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – The Rochester Police Department's Major Crimes Unit is sharing more information about the role social media is playing in connection to violent crime across the city. RPD Captain Frank Umbrino spoke with News 8's Natalie Kucko for a broader conversation on the trends the department is seeing in their investigations today compared to previous years. 'I think social media is the cause of many of our investigations today,' said Capt. Umbrino. So far in 2025, the city of Rochester has recorded seven homicides. Four of those cases are now closed, according to the Rochester Police Department's Open Data Portal. While overall violent crime is trending down in recent years, Capt. Umbrino says the influence of social media in connection to specifically shootings and stolen property crimes is not improving. 'We're going backwards and we're destroying an entire generation of children. Your 14-year-old of today is not like your 14-year-old of 15 to 20 years ago. I'll go back to what I have said about as recently as a few weeks ago – the parents up here in tears are begging for help and because of the reforms put into place over the last couple of years, we can't provide them with the help they need and it's frustrating,' he said. As social media, in my cases, has become the foundation of the Major Crimes Unit's work, Capt. Umbrino says suspects are utilizing features like location sharing where feuds can escalate. 'We have young people out there that are sharing their locations and looking for a gun fight. They're sharing it with people they're feuding with and saying, 'We're here. Come and get us.' That's a cause for a lot of the gun fights we might have. Something needs to happen. Anyone can get on social media and see fights all the time. Do the kids need to be seeing that? No,' said Capt. Umbrino. Umbrino adds the only immediate change he's seeing city-wide is the growing frustration among community members. 'There needs to be ramifications for actions. When you have kids who are stealing cars for example, and they get caught doing it and absolutely nothing happens to them, they're going to go out and do it again because it's fun. It's fun for them to drive around at 100 miles per hour because they think they're playing a video game. They don't understand the ramifications their actions may have, potentially for the rest of their lives. Or, God forbid, the rest of somebody else's life because they've killed them, which we have seen here in our community,' he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Yahoo
Homicide investigation launched after body found on Rochester sidewalk
Police are investigating a homicide on Spencer Street in Rochester Wednesday morning. Officers were called to Spencer Street, a residential road just north of Lyell Avenue, just after 7 a.m. after it was reported that someone was on the ground in the area, said Capt. Greg Bello of the Rochester Police Department. First responders discovered the victim - who was not identified by police - on the sidewalk suffering from upper body trauma, Bello said. That person was pronounced dead at the scene. Police did not clarify the manner of death. The Rochester Police Department's Major Crimes Unit is investigating the slaying, which marked Rochester's sixth homicide of 2025, according to RPD's Open Data Portal. Anyone with information about the fatal incident is asked to call 911. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Homicide investigation launched after body found on Rochester sidewalk
Daily Tribune
16-02-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Non-oil industries fuel 85% of Bahrain's economy as National Action Charter pays off
Bahrain's non-oil industries now drive 85 per cent of the economy, a sharp break from the days when oil ruled the roost. The shift, years in the making, stems from a drive to broaden the country's income since the National Action Charter set the wheels in motion. Finance and manufacturing are leading the charge, with government policies pushing their expansion. Charter's launch Since the charter's launch, Bahrain has steered itself away from oil dependence, spreading its bets across financial services, industry, and tourism. The Kingdom has set its sights on building a sturdier economy by backing these key industries. Bahrain has also made its mark as a financial hub in the Gulf, with banking — especially Islamic finance — at its core. The country is home to a spread of financial institutions, from traditional and Islamic banks to insurance firms. Figures lay out the state of play. The financial sector chips in 16.7 per cent of GDP, with 406 firms in operation. Sectors Manufacturing follows at 14.5 per cent, then transport and communications at 6.8 per cent, construction at 6.6 per cent, real estate at 4.1 per cent, and hotels and restaurants at 2.4 per cent. Other service industries make up 18.7 per cent. Oil, though still in the mix, now accounts for 20.8 per cent of GDP. Economic growth runs at an average of 5 per cent a year. Non-oil industries According to Sustainable Development Minister and Economic Development Board Chief Executive, Her Excellency Noor Al Khulaif, non-oil industries are now the backbone of Bahrain's economy. Speaking during the Davos Forum, she pointed to manufacturing as the second-largest contributor outside oil, with aluminium playing a key role. Data from Bahrain's Open Data Portal backs this up. Manufacturing In the first quarter of 2024, manufacturing made up 21.01 per cent of GDP, the second-highest contributor. That dipped to 18.93 per cent in the second quarter before climbing back to 20.08 per cent in the third. The country's economic blueprint was set down in 2008 when His Majesty the King signed off on Economic Vision 2030. It lays out a path for growth, with a sharp focus on lifting living standards. Principles At its core, the plan rests on three key principles: keeping government finances steady, making Bahrain more competitive on the world stage, and ensuring fairness across the board. The first relies on sound spending and backing workers through training and skills development, especially in applied sciences. Competitiveness hinges on making businesses more productive, cutting red tape, and giving the economy the push it needs to grow. As for fairness, the plan calls for openness in both the public and private sectors, from hiring practices to land auctions and tendering deals.
