CBPM Conference 2026 · Vol. 2026, Issue 1

Drivers and Barriers to the Adoption of Robotics and 3D Printing in Construction in the Global South: A Systematic Review

Omojokun Gabriel Aju and Kgabo Mokgohloa

Keywords: Automation, Construction Technology, Global South, Robotics, 3D Printing.

Abstract

This study used a systematic literature review guided by the PRISMA approach to identify and critically analyse the main drivers and barriers affecting the adoption of robotics and three-dimensional (3D) printing in construction across the Global South. Peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and books were examined from the Scopus and Web of Science databases covering 2020 to 2026. The review framework facilitated the systematic identification of enabling factors, such as productivity improvements, design flexibility, and sustainability goals, as well as major obstacles, including high capital costs, limited technical skills, infrastructural gaps, and socio-cultural resistance. The results show that while the technological potential of robotics and 3D printing (additive manufacturing) is widely recognized, adoption is mainly hindered by structural and institutional issues rather than technical limitations. By highlighting specific context-related factors, this review advances construction innovation research and offers practical insights for policymakers, industry leaders, and development partners working in the construction sector in the Global South.