Analyzing The Capabilities Of Frugal Digital Twins For Sustainable Smart City Infrastructure Development In Africa: An ESGS Perspective From Ghana.

Henry Kofi Dansu , Alexander Boakye Marful, Daniel Yaw Addai Duah, Titus Ebenezer Kwofie , Kwabena Abrokwa Gyimah

Digital twins, virtual replicas that mirror physical infrastructure through real-time data, have emerged as a pivotal technology for smart city development globally. However, their deployment in developing countries remains constrained by high costs, limited digital infrastructure, and insufficient local expertise. This paper analyses the capabilities of frugal digital twins as enablers of sustainable smart city infrastructure development in Africa, with Ghana as a case study. Grounded in the Environmental, Social, Governance, and Sustainability (ESGS) framework, the study examines how cost-effective digital twin solutions can be embedded within Africa’s built environment to support climate-resilient infrastructure design, predictive urban management, and circular economy strategies. Adopting a mixed-methods approach that integrates a systematic literature review with stakeholder analysis, the research evaluates the technical functionality, scalability, and ESGS alignment of digital twin applications in resource-constrained urban settings. Results indicate that frugal digital twinning can enhance operational efficiency in waste management, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure maintenance while reducing implementation barriers through open-source platforms and low-cost IoT sensors. The study further identifies digital twin technology as a viable tool for training and capacity building among built-environment professionals. The study contributes to the growing discourse on integrating ESGS principles into Africa’s infrastructure planning and offers a replicable model for leveraging digital twin technology across developing nations.