In the second of three pieces ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March, Zineb Faiq reflects on what’s driving BIM and digital construction in North Africa. She is CEO and BIM lead at BIMPATH and the Women in BIM regional lead for Morocco and North Africa.
BIM is transforming the construction industry worldwide, and North Africa is no exception. With rapid urbanisation and ambitious infrastructure projects, the region is embracing digitalisation to build smarter, faster and more sustainably.
While challenges such as the lack of standardised regulations and limited training persist, significant progress is being made. Government initiatives, emerging technologies and industrywide collaboration are driving BIM adoption forward, reshaping the way buildings and infrastructure are designed and delivered.
So, what’s fuelling this transformation? Here are the top five trends accelerating BIM and digital construction in North Africa.
1. Government strategies: paving the way for digital construction
Governments across North Africa are embracing digital transformation, laying the groundwork for smart infrastructure, data-driven governance and technological innovation: all of which align with BIM adoption.
Morocco’s Digital Morocco 2030 strategy is accelerating digital connectivity, e-government and cloud infrastructure, enabling seamless BIM collaboration and workflow automation. Plans to train 100,000 digital professionals annually will strengthen the construction sector’s digital capabilities.
Tunisia Digital 2021-2025 promotes cloud computing, digital collaboration and smart infrastructure, fostering an environment where BIM and digital workflows can streamline project execution.
Algeria’s National Digital Strategy emphasises urban planning modernisation and project digitalisation, promoting the adoption of integrated digital platforms to enhance collaboration and efficiency.
Egypt’s Science & Technology Strategy integrates AI, digital twins and smart city solutions, driving BIM adoption in largescale urban developments such as the New Administrative Capital.
As digital policies advance, BIM is emerging as a key driver of efficiency, collaboration and sustainability in North African construction.
2. Training and education: equipping the workforce for digital
BIM and digital construction rely on three key pillars: processes, technology and people. While advances in tools and workflows are essential, their true impact depends on the skills and expertise of those implementing them. Across North Africa, a growing emphasis on training and education is ensuring that industry professionals are well-equipped to drive this digital transformation forward.
Universities are embedding BIM into undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, preparing future generations to work in an increasingly data-driven industry. Meanwhile, professional training programmes, certifications and workshops provide hands-on learning opportunities for those already in the field, helping them transition to BIM-based workflows.
BuildingSMART Morocco is playing a key role in this transformation, supporting training providers, advocating for openBIM standards, and bridging the gap between academia and industry in the region.
With education evolving to meet industry demands, North Africa is rapidly upskilling its workforce, tackling the skills gap and accelerating the region’s digital construction future.
3. AI and automation: transforming construction
AI and automation are revolutionising construction across North Africa, enhancing efficiency, safety and innovation.
In Morocco, AI-enabled drones are improving project monitoring and site analysis by capturing high-resolution aerial imagery for precise topographic mapping and real-time progress tracking. Generative design tools are also gaining momentum, allowing architects and engineers to explore multiple design permutations rapidly while optimising for material efficiency and environmental impact.
Additionally, AI-driven coordination platforms are streamlining communication and automating routine tasks, enhancing collaboration among stakeholders. As North African countries continue investing in digital infrastructure and AI technologies, the construction sector is poised for unprecedented growth and innovation.
4. Smart and sustainable construction: the green shift in digitalisation
With rapid urbanisation and increasing environmental challenges, North Africa is turning to smart and sustainable construction to create more efficient, resilient and eco-friendly cities. BIM is playing a crucial role by enabling energy modelling, material optimisation and lifecycle management, ensuring projects meet higher environmental standards while reducing costs and waste.
Ambitious projects such as Egypt’s New Administrative Capital and Morocco’s smart city developments (Tangier Tech City and Éco-Cité Zenata) leverage BIM-driven sustainability strategies. These cities integrate digital twins, IoT-enabled monitoring and AI-powered infrastructure planning to optimise energy efficiency, enhance urban mobility and integrate smart utilities.
Additionally, prefabrication and modular construction, which minimise material waste and accelerate project timelines, are gaining traction, especially in largescale housing and infrastructure projects. As North Africa continues its digital and environmental transformation, BIM is proving to be a key enabler of smart, green and futureproof construction.
5. VR and AR: enhancing design and collaboration
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies are reshaping construction workflows in North Africa, enhancing design visualisation, clash detection and stakeholder collaboration. VR simulations allow professionals to walk through BIM models for better validation and decision-making, while AR overlays assist with installation accuracy and quality control on site.
Algeria has embraced VR/AR with EON Reality’s Spatial AI Center, providing tailored training for integrating immersive technologies into construction.
Tunisia is accelerating adoption through partnerships with the VR/AR Association, making immersive technology more accessible.
Morocco is integrating VR/AR into architectural education and project planning, helping students and professionals visualise projects before they are built.
As these technologies become more affordable and accessible, their integration with BIM is driving efficiency, precision and collaboration, shaping the future of North African construction.
The road ahead: a more digital and connected future
BIM and digital construction are gradually transforming North Africa, paving the way for a more efficient and data-driven industry. While the region still faces challenges, significant progress is being made. Compared with more mature markets, North Africa is still in the early stages of BIM adoption, but the increasing focus on education, technology and digital workflows is setting the foundation for long-term growth.
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