The Emergence of InfraTech: How AI and Other Digital Technologies are Enabling Climate-Resilient Transportation Infrastructure in LMICs

The Emergence of InfraTech: How AI and Other Digital Technologies are Enabling Climate-Resilient Transportation Infrastructure in LMICs

Approximately 1 billion people worldwide—more than 12% of the global population, equivalent to the combined populations of the U.S. and Europe—do not have access to all-weather roads. Despite decades of investment in transportation infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), this gap severely limits year-round access to essential services like education and employment. The problem is especially acute in regions such as Africa, where inadequate road networks hinder farmers from transporting perishable goods to market, leading to post-harvest losses of up to 37%.

In an era dominated by AI and digital innovation, it’s easy to overlook how foundational physical infrastructure remains to daily life. Without reliable roads, bridges, and transport systems, even the most advanced technologies cannot fulfill their potential. In LMICs, climate change further compounds these challenges, underscoring the urgent need for climate-resilient transportation infrastructure that integrates cutting-edge technology with environmental and social considerations—including meaningful involvement from local communities.

Digital tools like AI offer transformative potential for infrastructure development in LMICs, particularly in remote or harsh environments where poor connectivity and extreme weather undermine livelihoods. Successfully deploying these technologies, however, demands both deep contextual understanding of local conditions and technical expertise to adapt solutions effectively.

This article explores how “InfraTech”—a term coined by the World Bank’s Global Infrastructure Hub to describe digital and non-digital innovations that significantly improve infrastructure outcomes—is being used to enhance climate resilience and drive economic growth in developing regions.

**Filling Critical Data Gaps**  

Just as fintech uses data to bring financial services to the unbanked, InfraTech leverages data to address infrastructure deficits. In many LMICs, basic records on road design, materials, terrain, rainfall, or maintenance are missing or outdated, making it difficult to plan, build, or repair roads effectively. Climate-resilient engineering depends on precise, localized data at every stage—from initial design to ongoing maintenance—especially given tight budget constraints.

**AI and Satellite Tech for Smarter Road Planning**  

Before construction begins, satellite-based Earth Observation (EO) technologies—augmented by AI and machine learning—can rapidly assess terrain, climate risks, and population distribution to determine optimal road routes. This replaces months of manual field surveys with weeks of remote analysis. These tools help engineers avoid flood-prone zones or landslide risks, reduce displacement of communities, and ensure new roads serve the greatest number of people—maximizing social, economic, and safety benefits.

**Smart Maintenance for Greater Resilience**  

In many LMICs, neglected road maintenance leads to rapid deterioration, dramatically increasing long-term repair costs. The World Bank estimates that proper upkeep can cut lifecycle costs of transport infrastructure by more than half. Digital innovations are changing this: low-cost mobile apps and dashcams mounted on everyday vehicles (like garbage trucks) can continuously monitor road conditions without disrupting traffic. The collected data feeds into user-friendly dashboards, enabling authorities to prioritize repairs based on real-time, AI-analyzed insights.

When repairs are needed, drones and LiDAR can generate high-resolution 3D models of damaged sections—even in inaccessible areas—allowing engineers to design climate-proof fixes that account for drainage, topography, and material durability.

**Tailored, Practical Solutions for Local Realities**  

Not all high-tech tools are suitable everywhere. The key is identifying “fit-for-purpose” solutions—technologies that are affordable, easy to operate, and aligned with local capacity and infrastructure. For instance, in areas with limited internet access, offline-capable devices are preferable to data-intensive platforms that overwhelm local systems. At AnyWay Solutions, where I lead corporate growth, we combine over 25 years of engineering experience with appropriate InfraTech to deliver resilient, context-sensitive infrastructure across emerging markets.

Success hinges on marrying technological capability with on-the-ground realities. By doing so, we can build transportation systems that not only endure climate shocks but also unlock lasting economic opportunity for underserved communities.