Smart city technologies drive urban innovation in Accra and Hong Kong

Global metropolitan areas are increasingly adopting intelligent infrastructure to optimize urban living through AI and Internet of Things connectivity.

In Accra, Ghana, the city is participating in the Smart Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Cities Programme, supported by the Government of Norway through UN-Habitat. The Accra Metropolitan Assembly has established a 28-member Smart SDGs Cities Implementation Committee, chaired by the Mayor, to advance data-driven planning and sustainable infrastructure. The initiative has been allocated USD 83,000 to support these digital transformation efforts.

In Hong Kong, the focus on smart city innovation includes the development of a low-altitude economy. The Hong Kong SAR Government is exploring drone applications for building maintenance and other services. Alpha AI Technology, a Cyberport-incubated start-up, is supporting these efforts by providing a spatial intelligence platform for drones. Alpha AI became the first Hong Kong start-up to secure a Beyond Visual Line of Sight license under the government’s Low-altitude Economy Regulatory Sandbox in 2025, focusing on automated AI drones for infrastructure and façade inspection.