Introduction
Every year on the November 26th, the World pauses to recognise the essential role of safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems in advancing economic growth, promoting social welfare and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through World Sustainable Transport Day (WSTD).
WSTD is a relatively recent observance, established in 2023 following the adoption of United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/77/286 (UNGAR) in May 2023. Through this resolution, Member States, UN entities, regional and international organisations, and civil society were formally invited to commemorate the Day through education, awareness-raising, and advocacy activities dedicated to advancing sustainable transport.
This approach aims to reduce carbon footprints and encourage environmentally friendly practices in the transportation industry. As with any public awareness initiative, its value is measured by the meaningful advancements it encourages in pursuit of its underlying goals. It is therefore important to assess whether there has been significant transformation in the transport industry since the initiative’s inception in 2023.
The core purpose of WSTD, as established by the UN General Assembly Resolution, is to catalyse enhanced intermodal transport connectivity, promote environmentally friendly transportation solutions, and develop socially inclusive transport infrastructure. Since 2023, various governments and industries have launched different initiatives in each of these areas to meet these objectives.
Enhancing Intermodal Transport Connectivity
Intermodal transport connectivity networks are steadily expanding. A notable example is the Lobito Corridor project, which has been strengthened through international cooperation involving the United States, the European Commission, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC). This infrastructure initiative spans Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Zambia, linking the Copperbelt region to the Atlantic Ocean via the Port of Lobito in Angola.
The project also underscores heightened focus on securing supply chains for critical mineral resources essential to technologies ranging from electric vehicles and solar panels to advanced defence systems.
Similarly, Cambodia’s government developed the Comprehensive Intermodal Transport and Logistics System (CITLS) Master Plan for 2023 to 2033, which integrates roads, rail, and inland waterways to improve freight flows and enhance the performance and efficiency of the transport sector.
Promoting Environmentally Friendly Transportation
According to BloombergNEF, sales of battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles are expected to rise by 25% in 2025 compared to 2024. This growth is largely attributed to declining lithium battery costs, which are expected to drive increased production and sales of these vehicles.
Countries are taking significant steps to promote electric vehicle adoption as part of broader sustainable transportation strategies. Quito in Ecuador, for instance, aims for all new public buses entering its transport system to be electric by 2040. Similarly, Kenya has experienced a marked increase in electric vehicle usage over the past few years. The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) reported that by June 30, 2025, electricity consumption for e-mobility reached 5.04 GWh – a remarkable 300% increase from 1.26 GWh in the previous financial year.
Socially inclusive transport infrastructure
There has also been a significant rise in efforts to make transport affordable and accessible to all persons. Under this principle, we have focused on understanding the steps that Kenya has taken to ensure social inclusivity in transport infrastructure.
According to the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), Kenya is presently advancing transport projects and policies targeting marginalised groups. ITDP Africa and the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NaMATA) have implemented coordinated efforts regarding the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system (with Lines 2, 3 and 5). The BRT design explicitly includes accessible features, such as level boarding platforms, ramps and wider doors, and priority seating for wheelchairs, pushchairs, and older adults.
Additionally, the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC), in collaboration with agencies such as NaMATA, has piloted public transport campaigns aimed at preventing gender-based violence and promoting safer commuting environments for women. These efforts represent only a sample of the broader initiatives being implemented to advance sustainable transport goals, reflecting the increasing commitment of various jurisdictions, government bodies, and institutions toward fostering safer, more inclusive, and environmentally responsible mobility systems.
Conclusion
Clear progress has been made toward achieving the objectives outlined above, particularly in advancing e-mobility as a central pillar of sustainable transport. This momentum is encouraging. However, a notable gap remains in technology transfer. While many African countries are embracing e-mobility through policy reforms and fiscal incentives, they continue to lag in developing homegrown e-mobility technologies or building the local capacity to manufacture electric vehicles.
Kenya, for example, has introduced tax incentives to ease the importation of electric vehicles, creating a favourable environment for collaboration with more technologically advanced jurisdictions. These partnerships present a valuable opportunity not just to access the technology, but to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to adapt, improve, and eventually innovate upon it within local contexts.
In our view, this evolving landscape lays a strong foundation for the future of sustainable transport in Africa, one that is not only environmentally friendly and socially inclusive and anchored in local innovation and long-term self-reliance.
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