iLima Digital Foundary (iLima) has been named as one of the top 18 Big Data Start-ups in South Africa by the UK-based publication, Data Magazine. After a little more than a year of existence, iLima’s ACIP AI Data Platform has piqued the interest of developers, owners, general contractors and other key stakeholders in the affordable housing market.
A story of innovation
iLima’s story of innovation is built on a framework that harnesses big data, AI, machine learning and platform technologies and will significantly change the way local businesses and local people build self-sustainable, integrated communities within new community development projects.
South Africa is in the midst of a national housing crisis. The government has reportedly built some 2.7 million low-cost houses. However, according the Centre for Affordable Housing in Africa (CAHF), there is a backlog of between 2.3 million and 3.7 million housing units and this number is growing by 178,000 housing units per year. The government’s mega housing project strategy of 2015 proved too grand and unrealistic and a ‘rapid land release strategy’ has since been introduced in its place.
In reality, this new strategy currently has the same pain points that caused delays for failed mega project plans. This knock-on effect hinders land occupation, township development, property transfers and the issuing of title deeds.
The sites identified for land and services often lie on the outskirts of towns in rural areas. Extensive man hours and resources are required to obtain the land rights and prepare the land for development and is often the cause of major delays.