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Sustainable Transport in Africa


Transport is a key component of sustainable development owing to the direct link between development opportunities and mobility. Efficient transport mechanisms provide socio-economic and environmental opportunities that generate multiplier effects such as employment, investment, trade, good health and a general high quality of life. Deficient transport systems on the other hand are associated with lagging economic development, missed opportunities, low quality of life and adverse negative impacts on air quality and the environment. 

Situation in Africa

Africa is experiencing rapid population growth at approximately 31 million people annually and an unprecedented urban growth rate estimated to reach 50% by 2030. With this growth trend comes increased pressure on the transport sector to meet high mobility demands needed to drive African economies. A natural consequence is a fast increase in motorization characterized by fuel-inefficient used and aging vehicles (above 15 years in age). 

Pollution from heavy duty truck Source: Daily Nation
This situation is attributed to the importation of fuel inefficient used vehicles, inadequate vehicle import regulation policies and low purchasing power of the populace failing to attract procurement of cleaner and fuel-efficient vehicles. With a lack of clean vehicle regulations, transport emissions remain the main source of air pollution worsening air quality in many African countries. Additionally, a majority of African national and local governments struggle to provide adequate transport infrastructure and services giving rise to an informal public transportation system that fails to meet the socio-economic needs of users. 
Motorcyles in West Africa. Source: C. Liousse, UPS/CNRS

The transport sector is the dominant source of air pollution in the form of greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful pollutants. Greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) in the air have been proven to result in accelerated climate change, health issues such as respiratory complications and infant deaths, natural disasters among other negative impacts. These emissions primarily come from combustion of fossil-based high Sulphur fuels, which include gasoline and diesel. 

In 2016, a report by the non-governmental organization Public Eye revealed how foreign trading companies were exploiting weak fuel regulatory standards in West African countries to export fuels of up to 1000 times the Sulphur levels permitted in Europe. This report was effective in stirring up many African countries to begin the journey towards adopting clean mobility measures taking cognizance of the fact that air pollution from the transport sector is a major threat to human life and the environment.

Cleaner mobility options

There are various clean mobility solutions that African countries can take advantage of. These range from cleaner fuels and fuel efficient vehicles to non-motorized transport solutions in the form of walking and cycling provisions. Sustainable transport policy interventions and the setting up of enabling physical and institutional infrastructure will be key in facilitating the movement towards more environmentally sustainable solutions. A number of African countries are already providing good examples on implementing cleaner mobility programs and these experiences can be shared across the region. 

NMT in Durban. Source: National Courier
The extensive work of UN Environment and its partners in engaging African countries to move towards cleaner fuels and vehicles cannot be overstated. Today, all African countries except Algeria have eliminated leaded petrol compared to the situation in 2002, when only one country had taken this step. 11 countries have adopted 50 ppm Sulphur-content fuels or lower while 2 cities (Nairobi and Accra) are already developing soot free bus strategies for their cities. In addition, over 20 countries in Africa are engaged in reviewing their vehicle import policies in a bid to attract cleaner and more fuel-efficient vehicles. Through 'Share the Road' initiatives, Lagos (Nigeria) and Nairobi (Kenya) are developing citywide non-motorized transport policies while Uganda has taken it a notch higher to develop a nationwide policy. 


Electric cars charging from solar photovoltaic panels in Nairobi. Source: World Economic Forum

Developed countries in various parts of the world are taking the transformational leap from petrol and diesel internal combustion engines to 100% electric vehicles with Norway and Germany leading the pack. This is bound to revolutionize mobility as we know it and will cut down carbon emissions significantly. Africa has not been left behind. Vehicle manufacturers such as Honda and Toyota are already making sales in Kenya on their Hybrid vehicles (Honda Fit and Toyota Prius) which is seen as a preamble to a potential electric vehicle wave in Africa. Capetown, South Africa is already rolling out its first electric bus fleet for public transportation. Africa's huge population and consistently improving economic profile makes it a potential next global consumer market for the world's products. 

The future of mobility in Africa is exciting!






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