CBPM Conference 2026 · Vol. 2026, Issue 1

Digital Twins: Implications for Construction Material Supply Chain in Sub- Saharan Africa

Adeola Oluwatoyin Osundiran

Keywords: Construction Supply Chain, Digital Twin Technologies, Sub-Saharan Africa, Bibliometric Analysis, and VOSviewer

Abstract

Fragmentation, inefficiency, and poor performance are salient matters affecting the building sector. This research explores the role of Digital Twin Technology (DTT) in mitigating inefficiencies in the construction material supply chain. DTT plays a crucial role in improving the efficiency of the construction materials supply chain. This study outlines the critical roles of DTT in the construction supply chain. This exploratory research reveals the significance of DTT in the construction materials value chain and the implications for sub-Saharan Africa. This research adopts a quantitative research design. A Bibliometric-Systematic literature review was conducted by sourcing peer-reviewed articles from selected databases, including Web of Science and Scopus. Relevant themes on the role of DTT in the CMSC were generated. With the use of Vos Viewer, five critical themes (Management, Efficiency, Performance, Digital Transformation, Safety, Systems, Networks) were generated and explored on the pivotal role of DTT in the CMSC. These themes show the importance of the application of DTT in enhancing construction material supply chains. Findings of the research provide the need to expedite the implementation of DTT within Africa, since there is a lag in implementation due to several factors, such as the unawareness of the capabilities of DTT for strategic decisions in the construction sector. This study is significant because it shows how DTT can improve the construction supply chain management and enhance digital transformation.