African transport ministers, road transport authorities, heads of road safety agencies, and experts have called for urgent and intensified action to address the continent’s road safety crisis. The call came during a high-level ministerial panel discussion held on the margins of the 5th Ordinary Session of the African Union’s Specialised Technical Committee on Transport and Energy (STC-TE). Organized by the African Union Commission as one of three official side events, the panel was themed "Advancing Africa's Road Safety Agenda: From Commitments to Implementation."

Opening the session, H.E. Mkhuleko Hlengwa, Deputy Minister of Transport of South Africa, welcomed delegates and stressed the critical need for stronger continental collaboration to reduce road fatalities and injuries across Africa.

Moderating the discussion, Mr. Bennacer Boulaajoul, Chairperson of the African Road Safety Observatory (AfRSO) Transitional Steering Committee (TSC) and Director General of NARSA, underscored the magnitude of the challenge. Citing the WHO Global Status Report, he noted that Africa records 225,482 road traffic deaths annually—accounting for 19% of the global burden—with over half of victims being vulnerable road users. He emphasized that proven solutions already exist and that implementation must now be accelerated.

The panel brought together distinguished representatives, including: H.E. Alihaj Fanday Turay, Minister of Transport and Aviation of Sierra Leone; H.E. Neo Matjato Moteane, Minister of Works and Transport of the Kingdom of Lesotho; H.E. Veikko Nekundi, Minister of Transport and Works of Namibia; Mr. Nelson Nunes, Chairman of the National Road Institute of Mozambique; and Adv. Makhosini Msibi, CEO of the Road Traffic Management Corporation of South Africa. Each shared national experiences, reforms, and innovations to strengthen road safety systems.

Key Country Highlights from the Ministerial Panel:

• Lesotho showcased progress on a Road Accident and Incident Management System designed to enhance real-time crash data, improve emergency response coordination, and support evidence-based policymaking.
• Namibia outlined its proposed Road Safety Management Bill and the introduction of dashcam technology to strengthen enforcement, investigations, and data-sharing across the country.
• Mozambique presented ongoing efforts to modernize its road codes and the development of a comprehensive Road Safety Master Plan, featuring measurable targets and clear accountability mechanisms.
• Sierra Leone discussed strategies to balance growing urban mobility needs with safer regulation of motorcycle transport, while continuing to prioritize pedestrian safety interventions.
• South Africa shared insights from the review of its National Road Safety Strategy and highlighted innovations under its pedestrian safety programme, focusing on protecting vulnerable road users.

Panelists agreed that stronger legislation, improved data systems, targeted enforcement, safer infrastructure, and protection of vulnerable road users are essential pillars for reducing road deaths and injuries across the continent.

A key focus of the discussion was the role of the African Road Safety Observatory (AfRSO) in supporting Member States through harmonized data systems, peer learning, policy coordination, and the scaling up of successful cross-border interventions.

In her closing remarks, H.E.  Lerato D. Mataboge, AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy (IED), called for decisive collective action, stating: “Let us leave here with renewed determination to act decisively and collaboratively. The lives of our citizens depend on the choices we make today.”

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 | E-mail: GamalK@africanunion.org