The Nairobi Summit is a milestone for the future of active mobility in Africa
Nairobi Summit is a milestone for the future of active mobility in Africa
In light ofrapid urbanizationin Africa, the challenges facing transportation systems are increasing, as millions of residents depend on walking and cycling amid inadequate infrastructure, while the problems of congestion, pollution, and traffic accidents are exacerbated by the continuous growth in the number of motorized vehicles.
In the context of confronting these challenges, the Strategic Summit of the African Action Plan for Active Mobility was held in Nairobi, with the aim of unifying visions on the importance of active mobility, and enhancing cooperation between governments and partners to develop sustainable policies that support safe means of transportation. In this article, Earth Guards reviews the most prominent themes of the summit, and its potential impact on the future of urban transport within Africa.
International Partnerships
The Strategic Summit of the African Action Plan for Active Mobility was held yesterday in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, and its activities will continue until this evening – Tuesday – with the participation of 30 parties from: United Nations agencies, the African Union, multilateral development banks, and international non-governmental organizations.
The summit aims to enhance common understanding of the importance of the African Action Plan, and develop a unified vision for the role of the African Action Plan in shaping the future of urban transport in Africa. The summit also seeks to develop implementable solutions while defining roles and partnerships and developing a clear implementation plan, in addition to facilitating cooperation and knowledge exchange between concerned parties.
Active mobility is sustainable style
More than a billion people around the world depend on walking and cycling as the main means of daily transportation, and they are exposed to serious dangers on the roads, as the safe spaces allocated to them do not exceed 10% of the total urban roads despite their large number.
On the other hand, automated vehicles are witnessing an annual growth rate of 6%, and this contributes to the exacerbation of the problems of congestion and pollution and the high rates of fatal accidents. Despite the clarity of the need and the solutions available to improve these conditions, the volume of investments and setting of priorities is still far from meeting the necessary requirements to ensure the safety and comfort of active mobility users.
Therefore, the term active mobility emerged, which means regular physical activity, which is carried out as a means of transportation, and this includes movement on foot, by bicycle, or by other vehicles that require physical effort to move, and this does not include walking, cycling, or any other physical activity that is performed for recreational purposes.
Hence, the African Action Plan for Active Mobility is the result of two years of efforts, which included consultations with more than 1,500 stakeholders from national and local governments, development agencies, academics, non-governmental organizations, and representatives of civil society. This plan is considered the first continental framework for action that focuses on enhancing investment in active mobility in the next decade, and the plan is based on three main strategic axes, which are:
- SafetyBy reducing the number of deaths resulting from road accidents for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Advocacyto enhance the importance of active mobility in public policies.
- Political integrationBy including active mobility in national and regional transport strategies.
Why is the African Action Plan for Active Mobility important?
This plan is of great importance because of its role in promoting walking and cycling as effective means of improving a healthy lifestyle and reducing the spread of chronic diseases associated with lack of physical activity, as well as its contribution to reducing dependence on cars, which leads to reducing carbon emissions and reducing air pollution, and supports efforts to address climate change and improve environmental quality.
The plan also promotes the principles of equity and accessibility. A large segment of the population – especially in low-income communities – depends on active mobility to access workplaces, education and health services, and the benefits are not limited to the environmental and social aspects, but extend to the economic aspect, as active mobility contributes to reducing transportation costs and enhancing job opportunities through developing appropriate infrastructure and supporting industries related to the production of bicycles and their equipment.
Implementation steps
The plan is scheduled to be implemented this year through three main bodies: the World Health Organization, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, and the United Nations Environment Programme. Implementation plans will include monitoring the progress of all African countries in implementing the plan, and establishing an electronic center to exchange resources and opportunities by mid-2025. Consultations will also be held with ministers to identify points of contact for those responsible for implementing the plan in each of the: Ministries of Transport, Environment, Health, and Urban Planning. Five African countries – Kenya, Morocco, Cameroon, Ghana and Malawi – will receive special support to implement the plan between 2025 and 2027, with the possibility of expanding this support to other countries if additional funding becomes available.
The summit is expected to result in a consensus among concerned parties on the need to strengthen political cooperation with national and local governments to include active mobility among their priorities and integrate it into public policies. It is expected that financial resources will be allocated to support the development of safe infrastructure for walking and cycling, in addition to an agreement to intensify efforts to raise the level of awareness, and enhance the exchange of knowledge and tools, while presenting case studies and impact evaluations. This will provide a knowledge base that contributes to supporting future efforts to improve the quality of life.
The African Action Plan for Active Mobility represents an ambitious step towards a more sustainable future within the continent; It is not just a regulatory framework, but a comprehensive vision to reshape the urban landscape and make cities more livable. Investing in walking and cycling not only contributes to reducing congestion and pollution, but also enhances public health and ensures equitable access to economic and social opportunities.
As the plan approaches implementation,Earth Guards calls for the commitment of governments, international partners, and local communities to translate the goals into reality; Achieving this vision requires political will, sustainable investments, and close cooperation between concerned parties. Every safe road and ample space for active transportation is a step towards vibrant cities, a cleaner environment, and a brighter future for the entire African continent.
