Rapid urbanisation across Africa is bringing opportunity and economic growth but is also putting increased pressure on transport infrastructure. Pervasive congestion, inadequate public transport, safety concerns and growing pressures from climate change are just some of the challenges transport planners are facing yet with the rapidly growing cities and economies come opportunities to transform transport for the long term.
This series takes a deep dive into the opportunities in urban and transport planning for African cities – considering the need to understand the vital role of active mobility and informal transport as well as exploring the challenges to develop transport that creates a just transition to greener transport solutions.
Our four-part series launches with:
Episode One: Oluwaseun Sonoiki who is Legal Counsel at The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority – LAMATA
The Nigerian city of Lagos – currently the largest city in Africa with more than 20 million people living and working there – is amongst the top ten of the world’s fastest growing cities and a hub for the Nigerian economy, finances, technology and entertainment. The Lagos traffic, however, is frequently ranked amongst the worst in the world with traffic often gridlocked.
The transport challenges are a threat to the continuing growth of the city and the quality of life of its residents, as well as contributing to carbon emissions – and in many ways Lagos is an example of the challenges being faced by rapidly urbanizing parts of sub-Saharan Africa. At the same time Lagos was also the first African city establishing a Bus Rapid transit system – BRT.
The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority – LAMATA – was set up by the Lagos state government in 2003 to improve transport in the city. LAMATA is recognised as one of the leading examples for managing transport in Africa.
Host Holger Dalkmann explores the challenges for transport in Lagos, with LAMATA’s Oluwaseun Sonoiki and solutions including the latest HVT research into inclusive interchanges.
Episode Two: Simon Saddier, Senior Urban Transport Specialist at the World Bank,
The population of Africa doubled to 1.3 billion during the period 1990 to 2020 and is projected to increase by a further 1.2 billion by 2050. How can these rapidly growing urban centres ensure that people can access the services they need, move to and from work and school safely and quickly? How can cities keep moving and growing without adding to the climate crisis?
In this episode we are talking to Simon Saddier, Senior Urban Transport Specialist at the World Bank, and is also the Urban Mobility Pillar Lead at SSATP, the Africa Transport Policy Programme. We explore the current state of play for urban transport in African cities, and consider options for the future with a focus on the role of formal and informal transport, which enables access for the majority of the African population.
Available 3/5/24
Episode Three: Carly Gilbert-Patrick, Share the Road Programme, UNEP
Episode Four: Michael Wanyama, Autosafety Uganda
All four series of our podcast series, hosted by Holger Dalkmann, are available on all podcast outlets, including Spotify, iTunes, and Google Podcasts.