The Rise of InfraTech: How Artificial Intelligence and Digital Tools Are Driving Climate-Resilient Transport Infrastructure in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

**The Rise of InfraTech: Harnessing AI and Digital Innovation to Build Climate-Resilient Transport Infrastructure in Low- and Middle-Income Countries**

Globally, around 1 billion people—over 12% of the world’s population, roughly equal to the combined populations of the United States and Europe—lack access to all-weather roads. Despite sustained investment in transportation infrastructure across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), this persistent gap continues to obstruct reliable access to critical services such as education and employment throughout the year. The issue is especially severe in regions like Africa, where underdeveloped road networks prevent farmers from delivering perishable goods to markets, resulting in post-harvest losses as high as 37%.

In today’s age of rapid digital advancement and artificial intelligence, the foundational role of physical infrastructure can be easy to forget. Yet without dependable roads, bridges, and transport systems, even the most sophisticated technologies cannot deliver their full benefits. In LMICs, the compounding effects of climate change intensify these infrastructure challenges, highlighting the urgent need for transportation systems that are not only resilient to climate impacts but also designed with environmental sustainability and inclusive community engagement in mind.

Digital technologies—particularly AI—hold transformative promise for infrastructure development in LMICs, especially in remote or extreme environments where poor connectivity and harsh weather conditions threaten livelihoods. However, successful implementation requires both a nuanced understanding of local contexts and the technical know-how to tailor solutions effectively.

This article examines the growing field of “InfraTech”—a term introduced by the World Bank’s Global Infrastructure Facility to describe both digital and non-digital innovations that significantly enhance infrastructure outcomes—and how it is being leveraged to strengthen climate resilience and stimulate economic growth in developing regions.

**Bridging Critical Data Gaps**  

Much like how fintech uses data to expand financial inclusion, InfraTech applies data-driven approaches to close infrastructure gaps. In many LMICs, essential information on road design, construction materials, terrain, rainfall patterns, and maintenance history is either absent or outdated, severely hampering effective planning, construction, and upkeep. Achieving climate-resilient infrastructure demands accurate, hyperlocal data at every stage—from initial design through long-term maintenance—particularly given constrained public budgets.

**AI and Satellite Imagery for Smarter Road Design**  

Prior to breaking ground, satellite-based Earth Observation (EO) technologies—enhanced by AI and machine learning—can quickly evaluate terrain characteristics, climate-related risks, and population density to identify the most efficient and equitable road alignments. This approach condenses what traditionally took months of field surveys into just weeks of remote analysis. These tools help engineers steer clear of flood zones and landslide-prone areas, minimize community displacement, and ensure new roads serve the maximum number of people—optimizing social, economic, and safety outcomes.

**Intelligent Maintenance for Long-Term Resilience**  

In many LMICs, insufficient road maintenance leads to rapid degradation, driving up long-term repair expenses. According to the World Bank, consistent upkeep can reduce the total lifecycle costs of transport infrastructure by more than 50%. Digital innovations are reshaping this reality: low-cost mobile applications and dashcams installed on routine-service vehicles—such as garbage trucks—can continuously collect real-time data on road conditions without disrupting traffic flow. This data is then processed by AI and visualized through intuitive dashboards, empowering authorities to prioritize repairs based on actionable insights.

When interventions are required, drones equipped with LiDAR can create high-resolution 3D models of damaged infrastructure—even in hard-to-reach locations—enabling engineers to design climate-adaptive repairs that factor in drainage, topography, and material resilience.

**Context-Specific, Practical Solutions**  

Not every advanced technology is appropriate for every setting. The key lies in selecting “fit-for-purpose” tools—solutions that are cost-effective, user-friendly, and well-matched to local capacity and infrastructure. For example, in regions with limited internet connectivity, offline-capable devices are more practical than data-heavy platforms that strain local systems. At AnyWay Solutions, where I lead corporate growth, we draw on more than 25 years of engineering expertise to integrate appropriate InfraTech solutions that deliver durable, locally attuned infrastructure across emerging markets.

Ultimately, success depends on aligning cutting-edge technology with on-the-ground realities. By doing so, we can develop transportation networks that not only withstand climate shocks but also create enduring economic opportunities for the world’s most underserved communities.