Transport and energy ministers from across Africa have endorsed two major policy frameworks aimed at reshaping how people and goods move across the continent, signaling a coordinated shift toward cleaner, safer, and more inclusive transport systems.
The decisions were taken at the 5th Ordinary Session of the African Union’s Specialized Technical Committee on Transport and Energy, where ministers backed both the Pan-African Action Plan for Active Mobility (PAAPAM) and a Continental Framework on Electric Mobility. Together, the frameworks lay out a continent-wide roadmap to reduce transport emissions, curb rising road fatalities, and expand access to sustainable mobility options.
At the heart of the move is a recognition that Africa’s transport systems are at a crossroads. Rapid urbanisation, rising vehicle ownership, and heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels are driving emissions and worsening air pollution, even as infrastructure for safer, low-carbon alternatives remains underdeveloped.
H.E. Lerato D. Martaboge, the African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, described the endorsement as a turning point. She noted that governments are now aligning behind a dual strategy, scaling up electric mobility while prioritising the safety and wellbeing of the millions who rely daily on walking and cycling.
The electric mobility framework, developed by the African Union Commission in partnership with the UN Economic Commission for Africa and the UN Environment Programme, sets out policy directions to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuel-powered transport. It also places strong emphasis on building local manufacturing capacity and leveraging Africa’s renewable energy resources.
The urgency is clear. Africa’s transport sector accounts for roughly 31 percent of carbon dioxide emissions, while over 70 percent of refined fuel demand is met through imports—placing both environmental and economic strain on countries.
Yet momentum is building. An estimated 132,000 electric vehicles are already in operation across Africa, with countries like Ethiopia emerging as early leaders. Around half of African nations are now involved in assembling or manufacturing electric vehicles or related infrastructure, and 31 countries have incorporated electric mobility into their climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.
Complementing this shift is the Pan-African Action Plan for Active Mobility, the first continent-wide framework to prioritise walking and cycling. Coordinated by a coalition including the African Union Commission, UN Environment Programme, UN-Habitat, the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, and the UN Economic Commission for Africa, the plan aims to address both mobility inequities and public health challenges.
For many Africans, active mobility is not a choice but a necessity. More than one billion people walk or cycle for nearly an hour each day to access work, education, healthcare, and markets. However, infrastructure has not kept pace. Poorly designed roads and limited investment in pedestrian and cycling facilities have contributed to a disproportionate safety burden.
Africa accounts for nearly a quarter of global road traffic deaths despite having just 3 percent of the world’s vehicles. Pedestrians and cyclists represent more than a third of these fatalities, underscoring the urgent need for safer street design and targeted investment.
Elizabeth Mrema, Deputy Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, highlighted the broader impact of the frameworks, noting that walking, cycling, and electric mobility offer some of the most cost-effective solutions for tackling climate change while improving air quality, public health, and urban livability.
Across the continent, several countries are already laying the groundwork. Ethiopia has implemented a national non-motorised transport strategy and expanded pedestrian walkways and cycling infrastructure in Addis Ababa. Uganda has updated its road design standards, while Egypt recently launched a long-term active mobility strategy.
On the electric mobility front, Rwanda has rolled out fiscal incentives including tax exemptions for electric vehicles and introduced measures to discourage polluting alternatives. Senegal’s capital, Dakar, now operates a fully electric bus rapid transit system, while Kenya has rapidly scaled up electric motorcycles, particularly within the taxi sector, following the launch of its national policy earlier this year.
These developments reflect a growing institutional momentum that the newly endorsed frameworks aim to consolidate and accelerate. By aligning policy, investment, and implementation across countries, African leaders are positioning the continent to leapfrog toward a more sustainable mobility future, one that delivers not only environmental gains, but also economic opportunity, improved public health, and greater social inclusion.
