A 362 m bridge, a 189 km road and a 32 000 m² under-roof one-stop border post may work perfectly on separate drawings but the real test is whether they work together. On the Kasomeno-Mwenda Toll Road Project -– the first project of its scale in Africa to adopt Building Information Modelling (BIM) -– teams are answering that question digitally, before conflicts become costly problems on site.

Connecting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia, the project is more than a critical new transport corridor. It is an opportunity to advance digital engineering while developing the regional expertise needed to deliver and manage complex infrastructure.

More than a 3D model

BIM brings together digital models and the information behind them, giving engineers, surveyors, designers, contractors and project managers a shared environment in which to coordinate their work. 

For the project, this means coordinating road alignments, bridges, drainage systems, toll facilities, a one-stop border post and associated infrastructure. Identifying a conflict virtually creates an opportunity to resolve it before materials are ordered or work begins, helping to reduce rework, delays and avoidable expenditure.

The benefits extend to planning. Linking models to construction schedules allows teams to visualise how works will progress over time, test sequencing and identify potential bottlenecks. 

BIM also makes complex engineering more accessible. Clear visual representations help investors, regulators, government counterparts and other stakeholders understand proposed solutions and their implications, supporting better- informed discussions and decisions.

Drones that capture reality for better decisions

A key enabler of BIM on large-scale infrastructure projects is the use of drone technology. Across this project, drones continue to provide fast, accurate and up-to-date aerial data that can be incorporated directly into the BIM environment.

Traditional surveying methods remain essential, but drones allow teams to capture extensive areas of terrain, construction progress and existing site conditions more efficiently. High-resolution imagery, photogrammetry and terrain mapping can be used to create detailed digital models that support planning, design verification and construction monitoring.

By regularly capturing site data, project teams can compare actual progress against BIM models and construction schedules, helping to identify deviations early and improve project control. This creates a more accurate picture of what is happening on the ground, enabling informed decision-making and strengthening collaboration between engineers, contractors and project stakeholders.

When combined with BIM, drones help create a continuously updated digital representation of the project, transforming raw site information into actionable insights. The result is greater accuracy, improved coordination and a more data-
driven approach to infrastructure delivery.

Innovation with a local legacy

The adoption of BIM was championed by the project sponsor, Duna Aszfalt Zrt. of Hungary, bringing its commitment to innovation and digital engineering to the project.

Crucially, the ambition goes beyond introducing technology. GED Africa is working to transfer BIM skills, digital engineering expertise and international best practices to professionals in the DRC and Zambia. Collaboration with government project partners is intended to strengthen local technical capabilities and support wider adoption of modern infrastructure delivery methods.

This investment in people matters as much as the models themselves. The lasting opportunity is not only to deliver one project more effectively, but to equip professionals with capabilities they can apply to future infrastructure across the continent. 

Value beyond construction

BIM’s usefulness does not end when the road opens. Information developed during design and construction can support operations and maintenance, making details about structures, materials, equipment and maintenance requirements more accessible throughout the asset’s life.

For GED Africa, Duna Aszfalt Zrt. and their project partners, the ambition is both physical and digital: a transport link supported by stronger engineering capability. The project will connect two countries. The knowledge developed along the way can reach much further.

This article was previously published on the Energise Africa platform. 

https://www.gedafrica.com