The Africa Center for Digital Transformation (ACDT) is celebrating a major win as Dr. Frank Ato Ghansah received the Best Paper Award at the CIB World Congress 2025. This achievement shines a spotlight on Africa’s growing influence in the digital revolution of the built environment. Dr. Ghansah’s research offers a compelling roadmap for the future of digital technology, particularly in the area of sustainable smart facility management. This international recognition underscores the power of homegrown talent and global collaboration in solving complex global challenges and advancing the adoption of digital twins.

The CIB World Congress, a globally respected event focusing on advancements in the built environment, hosted the awards at its 2025 congress at Purdue University, USA. Winning the Best Paper Award signifies that Dr. Ghansah’s research is considered groundbreaking and highly impactful within the international academic community. This award elevates African research, demonstrating that African researchers are capable of producing world-class studies that address critical global challenges.

This achievement signals that homegrown talent, backed by institutions like ACDT, can lead in solving complex global challenges. The award underscores Africa’s increasing role in global research and innovation, showcasing its ability to contribute meaningfully to the world’s understanding and application of technology.

Digital Twins and Sustainable Smart Facility Management

Digital twins are virtual models that mirror real-world facilities, enabling improved decision-making and offering a pathway toward practical, sustainable solutions for managing buildings and cities. Dr. Ghansah’s work directly addresses the challenges hindering the broader adoption of digital twin technology. His research identifies specific challenges that impede the implementation of digital twins, paving the way for more effective and widespread use.

While further details on the specific barriers identified require access to the full paper, these challenges could include data security concerns, a lack of interoperability between systems, or high initial implementation costs. Addressing these barriers is crucial for unlocking the full potential of digital twins in creating smarter and more sustainable infrastructure.

“Prioritising Critical Barriers to Digital Twins Implementation for Sustainable Smart Facility Management in the Built Environment: A Global Study”

The award-winning paper, titled “Prioritising Critical Barriers to Digital Twins Implementation for Sustainable Smart Facility Management in the Built Environment: A Global Study,” presents a comprehensive investigation into the obstacles to digital twins implementation across different countries. The study provides a roadmap for the digital transformation of the built environment on a global scale.

The methodologies employed in the global study require further detail from the full paper. However, such methodologies could include extensive surveys, detailed case studies of various implementations, or in-depth data analysis of existing digital twin projects.

Recognizing the Co-Authors and Their Contributions

This achievement is a result of collaboration with co-authors Chika Udeaja, Amos Darko, Weisheng Lu, George Agyekum-Mensah, Prince Antwi-Afari, Samuel Twum-Ampofo, Benjamin Kwaku Ababio, and Caleb Debrah. These scholars contributed their diverse insights and unwavering commitment to creating sustainable digital futures. This global collaboration brought diverse perspectives and expertise to the study, enriching its findings and broadening its impact.

The team’s collective insight elevated the research and reshaped perspectives on digital transformation, demonstrating the power of international collaboration in advancing knowledge and innovation. Their combined knowledge was critical to the success of this ambitious project.

Dr. Frank Ato Ghansah’s Best Paper Award at the CIB World Congress marks a monumental achievement, underscoring the increasing prominence of African innovation in the global digital landscape. His research provides a critical pathway for sustainable smart facility management by prioritizing the challenges of digital twins implementation. This win, a testament to collaborative effort and visionary institutions like ACDT, reinforces Africa’s voice in shaping the future of digital technology. Further research and implementation of these findings will undoubtedly transform the built environment worldwide. Congratulations to Dr. Ghansah and the entire team on this well-deserved accolade.