The African Union (AU) on Friday, 5 September 2025, welcomed the deposition of the instruments of ratification of the African Road Safety Charter by the Republic of Sierra Leone, marking a significant step forward in Africa’s collective commitment to reducing road crashes and fatalities.

With this development, Sierra Leone becomes the 14th AU Member State to ratify the Charter. The continent now stands just one Member State away from the Charter’s entry into force, bringing Africa closer to a unified framework for promoting safer roads, protecting lives, and advancing sustainable development.

The instruments were deposited by H.E. Rex Bhonapha, Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation of the Republic of Sierra Leone, accompanied by Hon. Duwai Sellu Lungay, Deputy Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone to the African Union. The documents were formally received on behalf of the African Union Commission by Prof. Hajer Gueldich, AU Legal Counsel and Acting Director of Protocol.

In his remarks, Hon. Bhonapha underscored Sierra Leone’s strong commitment to advancing road safety. He recalled that Sierra Leone had pledged to the African Road Safety Observatory team to accelerate ratification during the Global Ministerial Road Safety Conference in Marrakech, Morocco, in February 2025. He further emphasized that Sierra Leone has already begun implementing provisions of the Charter, with a dedicated national road safety lead agency in place to coordinate and enforce road safety interventions.

Delivering an address on behalf of H.E. Lerato D. Mataboge, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy of the African Union, the Director of Infrastructure and Energy, Dr Kamugisha Kazura, warmly congratulated Sierra Leone for this historic milestone. The Director commended the Government and People of Sierra Leone for their leadership in making road safety a national and continental priority.

The Director also called on the remaining AU Member States to follow Sierra Leone’s example and expedite their ratification processes. He emphasized that beyond ratification, the Charter must be domesticated and enforced through national legislation to ensure real impact. He noted: “Road safety is not only a transport concern; it is a public health, social, and economic development priority. Africa bears a disproportionate burden of road traffic crashes despite having the lowest motorization rates globally. The African Road Safety

Charter is a vital framework to reduce fatalities and serious injuries, safeguard lives, and unlock Africa’s potential for integration and growth.”

Reaffirming the African Union’s commitment, the Director pledged continued support to AU Member States through the African Road Safety Observatory, AfRSO, established by the African Union to enhance road safety throughout the African continent by improving the quality and reliability of road safety data and strengthening the decision-making capabilities of AU Member States.

About the African Union Road Safety Charter:

African Union Road Safety Charter, adopted by the AU Summit in 2016, aims to establish a comprehensive framework for improving road safety across the continent. To date, 14 Member States have ratified the charter and deposited their instruments of ratification. 15 Member States must deposit their instruments of ratification for the charter to come into full effect. The African Union calls on all its Member States to ratify the Charter to enable its full implementation and strengthen collective efforts to reduce road fatalities across Africa.

Countries that have ratified the African Road Safety Charter and deposit their instruments of ratification include Benin, Central African Republic, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Mali, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Niger, Togo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Zambia.

For More Information Contact the ARSO Secretariat Head, David Niyonsenga, at AfRSO@AfricanUnion.org.

For Media Inquiries:

1. Ms. Bezayit Eyoel | Information Analyst | Department of Infrastructure and Energy| African Union Commission| E-mail: BezayitE@AfricanUnion.org |
2. Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate (ICD), African Union Commission | Email: GamalK@AfricanUnion.org |