African transport and energy ministers, working alongside the African Union and the United Nations Environment Programme, have endorsed two landmark continental frameworks aimed at accelerating sustainable, safe, and clean mobility across Africa.
The agreements were adopted during the 5th Ordinary Session of the AU Specialised Technical Committee on Transport, Transcontinental and Interregional Infrastructure, and Energy (STC-T&E), held on 30 April 2026 in Johannesburg. The summit marked a significant step toward transforming Africa’s transport systems through integrated energy and mobility strategies.
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Africa’s transport infrastructure has historically been shaped by colonial-era systems designed primarily to move raw materials from inland regions to coastal ports for export. Following independence, many African countries inherited fragmented railway systems, poorly connected road networks, and limited urban transport planning.
Over time, rapid urbanisation and population growth placed enormous pressure on existing infrastructure. This contributed to severe traffic congestion, rising road accidents, and worsening air pollution in many major African cities.
For decades, transport and energy policies across the continent were developed separately, with little coordination between mobility planning and electricity generation. Most African countries also remained heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels to power transportation systems, exposing economies to fluctuating oil prices and growing environmental concerns.
In recent years, however, climate pressures, rapid technological advancement, and expanding urban populations have forced governments to rethink traditional transport models. International climate commitments, including the Paris Agreement, encouraged policymakers to pursue cleaner energy systems and more sustainable mobility solutions.
At the same time, the global rise of electric mobility technologies created opportunities for African countries to leapfrog older transport systems and adopt cleaner alternatives.
Momentum for integrated transport and clean-energy systems also accelerated through the African Union’s Agenda 2063 development blueprint, which prioritises infrastructure connectivity, industrialisation, and sustainable urban development. Pilot projects introduced in countries such as Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda demonstrated that electric motorcycles, buses, and renewable-powered transport systems could significantly reduce pollution while creating new economic opportunities.
At the centre of the latest discussions were two major policy frameworks: the Pan-African Action Plan for Active Mobility (PAAPAM) and the Continental Framework on Electric Mobility.
Together, the initiatives aim to address rising traffic fatalities, worsening air pollution, and increasing greenhouse gas emissions while also creating economic opportunities through green transportation industries.
The Pan-African Action Plan for Active Mobility focuses on improving infrastructure and safety for the nearly one billion Africans who rely daily on walking and cycling as their primary means of transportation. Ministers emphasised the need for safer pedestrian walkways, dedicated cycling lanes, improved urban planning, and public awareness campaigns to reduce road accidents and encourage healthier, low-carbon mobility options.
The Continental Framework on Electric Mobility seeks to accelerate Africa’s transition from oil-dependent transportation systems toward electric vehicles (EVs). Unlike previous fragmented transport policies, the new strategy promotes an integrated model connecting renewable-energy generation, charging infrastructure, and electric transport systems across borders.
A major pillar of the framework is the development of local manufacturing capacity for electric vehicles, batteries, and charging technologies. African leaders believe the strategy could reduce dependence on imported fuel while simultaneously creating jobs in emerging green industries.
Discussions also highlighted plans for regional battery-swapping infrastructure to support electric motorcycles, buses, and commercial vehicles operating across multiple African countries.
The initiative aligns closely with the first year of the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026–2035), which promotes environmentally sustainable transport systems globally. African policymakers argue that sustainable mobility will play a critical role in achieving broader climate goals while improving living conditions in rapidly expanding urban centres.
Several African countries are already being cited as examples of early progress in electric mobility adoption. Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda have introduced policies supporting electric motorcycles and public transport systems, with some cities reporting reductions in harmful air pollution linked to cleaner transportation alternatives.
Officials at the summit stressed that Africa’s mobility transition must reflect the continent’s unique realities, including rapid urbanisation, energy-access challenges, and the need for affordable transport solutions. Rather than replicating models from Europe or North America, the endorsed frameworks aim to develop African-centred mobility systems increasingly powered by renewable energy sources such as solar and hydroelectric power.
Analysts believe the new continental mobility vision could significantly reshape Africa’s transport future by improving road safety, lowering emissions, reducing fuel import costs, and positioning the continent as an emerging player in the global green economy.
The frameworks are also expected to encourage stronger collaboration among governments, private investors, energy providers, and technology companies operating within Africa’s transport sector, strengthening regional integration and supporting long-term sustainable development across the continent.
