Webinar on Driving Transport Sustainability in Africa: The Role of Innovations, Technologies, and Policy Frameworks
The Network of African Science Academies (NASAC), InterAcademy Partnership (IAP), AUDA-NEPAD’s African Union High Level on Emerging Technologies and the Calestous Juma Executive Dialogue organised a webinar on Driving Transport Sustainability in Africa: The Role of Innovations, Technologies, and Policy Frameworks on 6th August 2024. The discussions during the webinar were based on the report by published by IAP and NASAC titled ‘Decarbonisation of Transport in Africa: Opportunities, Challenges and Policy Options.’ The discussion focused on the intersection of technological advancements, innovative practices, and the necessary policy frameworks required to drive sustainable transport solutions across the continent.
The webinar which was attended by about 118 people highlighted the role of science, technology and innovation (STI) in the decarbonisation agenda and in the context of Africa’s Road network. AUDA-NEPAD’s Chief of Staff, Dr. Msingathi Sipuka, emphasised the significance of decarbonisation of transport to the decade of accelerated implementation of Agenda 2063. During the panel discussion, the significant role of electric vehicles and the necessary infrastructure were highlighted as a way of addressing the global challenge of climate change and improving socioeconomic status of the continent. The need to tailor global best practices in innovations to fit local contexts and needs, the critical role of policy in driving sustainable transport and collaboration between governments and businesses to advance sustainable transport projects were also explored.
The webinar concluded with a clarion call to accelerate the adoption of new and emerging technologies in the transport sector such as electric vehicles and renewable energy solutions, harmonise and create new policies that encourage sustainable practices and infrastructure development and strengthen partnerships between regional bodies like the African Union, governments, businesses, science academies and communities to drive effective and scalable solutions.
