Limpopo Digital Twin

Summary

The Limpopo Digital Twin (DT) is an interactive platform that provides real‑time insights into the basin, integrating dynamic hydrological, climatic, irrigation and water‑use data with intuitive maps and analytics. This platform was developed by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in partnership with LIMCOM to improve water management in the LRB.

A Technical Demonstration and Beta Testing of the Al Driven Digital Twin (DT) developed for the Limpopo River Basin (LRB) was successfully conducted on 26 March 2026.

The demonstration was designed to equip LIMCOM Member States with the practical skills and knowledge required to effectively operate and manage the tool as well as test the platform before official launch.

The Limpopo DT is an interactive platform that provides real‑time insights into the basin, integrating dynamic hydrological, climatic, irrigation and water‑use data with intuitive maps and analytics.

This platform was developed by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in partnership with LIMCOM to improve water management in the LRB.

Speaking at the technical demonstration session, LIMCOM Executive Secretary Mr. Sergio Sitoe highlighted that this first prototype DT in Africa has the potential to significantly enhance decision‑making within the basin.

“In this era of digitalization, we must develop tools that support effective management of shared water resources. I am confident that the Digital Twin platform will play a critical role in strengthening decision‑making in the basin,” he said.

IWMI Country Representative for South Africa, Dr. Henry Roman (PhD), concurred, emphasizing that data becomes valuable only when it is translated into information that strengthens decision‑making.

“This is where the work on the Digital Twin truly becomes important, because it collects data and transforms it into usable information. This enables informed decisions on water use and management, including allocations, ensuring that decisions are grounded in evidence and science,” he said.

The DT complements the Limpopo Management Information System (LIMIS), an interactive, web‑based platform designed to collect, organize and transform relevant data into actionable knowledge products, thereby providing knowledge‑based support to LIMCOM Member States.

To strengthen this synergy, a back‑to‑back capacity building training workshop on the LIMIS and the DT will be held on 13-16 April 2026 in Maputo, Mozambique, with the aim of aligning and enhancing the use of these two important systems.