DIPLOMAT CORRESPONDENT
For decades, transport policy has largely been viewed through the lens of infrastructure, connectivity and urban planning. Today, a growing number of governments are beginning to see mobility differently — as a driver of industrialisation, energy security and economic transformation.
The transition towards electric vehicles, safer streets and cleaner transport systems is increasingly being linked to broader development goals, from reducing fuel imports and creating jobs to improving public health and strengthening climate resilience.
That shift was reinforced recently when transport and energy ministers endorsed two continental policy frameworks designed to accelerate investment in electric mobility and active transport, including walking and cycling.
“Today’s endorsement sends a clear signal that governments recognise the urgency of shifting to electric mobility while at the same time investing in the safety and wellbeing of the billion people who walk and cycle every day,” said African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy Lerato D. Mataboge.
The newly endorsed frameworks provide a roadmap for countries seeking to modernise transport systems while supporting economic growth. Policymakers increasingly view cleaner mobility not simply as an environmental objective but as an opportunity to develop new industries, attract investment and reduce dependence on imported fuels.
The economic rationale is compelling. Transport accounts for nearly a third of carbon dioxide emissions, while more than 70 percent of refined fuel demand is met through imports. For many economies, rising fuel costs place significant pressure on foreign currency reserves and expose countries to global energy price shocks.
Electric mobility offers an alternative path. More than 130,000 electric vehicles are already in operation, while a growing number of countries are assembling electric vehicles, batteries and charging equipment. As demand expands, governments are exploring how local manufacturing can create jobs and stimulate industrial development.
At the same time, attention is turning to the most widely used forms of transport: walking and cycling.
More than a billion people rely on these modes every day to access work, education, healthcare and markets. Yet investments in safe pedestrian and cycling infrastructure have often lagged behind demand, contributing to high rates of road fatalities and injuries.
“Walking, cycling and electric vehicles are among the most effective, affordable and practical solutions we have for tackling the climate crisis, improving public health and building more liveable cities,” said Elizabeth Mrema, Deputy Executive Director of UNEP.
Several countries are already demonstrating how cleaner mobility can support wider development objectives. Rwanda has introduced incentives for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. Senegal operates an electric bus rapid transit system in Dakar. Kenya’s electric motorcycle sector is expanding rapidly, while Ethiopia has invested heavily in pedestrian walkways and cycle tracks.
These initiatives reflect a broader policy shift. Mobility is no longer viewed solely as a transport issue but as part of a wider economic strategy encompassing manufacturing, energy, urban development and public health.
The challenge now lies in implementation. Achieving large-scale adoption of electric vehicles and active mobility will require sustained investment, supportive regulation and stronger partnerships between governments, development institutions and the private sector.
