Africa’s transport future hinges on clean energy, investment
Experts have identified clean energy adoption, strategic investment, and regional collaboration as critical pathways to unlocking Africa’s sustainable transport future.
They emphasised that accelerating the continent’s transition to clean mobility requires stronger policy frameworks, private sector participation, and innovative financing mechanisms that can drive large-scale transport infrastructure across African cities.
Speaking at the International Conference on Sustainable Urban Mobility (SUMConference 2025), Abimbola Akinajo, managing director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), said that the theme, ‘Harnessing Clean Urban Transport Innovation and Investment in Africa,’ highlights the urgent need for action that integrates clean energy, innovation, and investment into Africa’s mobility systems.
“It underscores the urgent need for our continent to move beyond policy dialogues into concrete action that integrates clean energy, technological innovation and long-term investments in Africa’s mobility agenda,” Akinajo said.
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She further stressed the importance of financing mechanisms and inclusivity in advancing clean mobility, adding that sustainable transport development requires collaboration among governments, private investors, and development partners.
“It also highlights the role of collaboration between governments, development partners and the private sector in creating a sustainable transport future,” LAMATA MD said.
Obafemi Hamzat, deputy governor, Lagos State, said that for us in Africa, sustainable mobility is not a luxury but a necessity for achieving economic development, social equity and climate resilience.
Hamzat urged governments to mobilise investment and embrace innovation to transform urban transport across the continent, and called for practical action and continental collaboration to translate plans into results.
“Africa must move from pilots to pipelines, from policy paper to pavement and from rhetoric to results.
“Every dollar invested in clean mobility leads to multiple dividends in productivity, health and climate resilience,” he added.
Experts called for stronger policy direction and innovative financing, emphasising the need for collaboration, investment, and clean energy adoption to drive Africa’s transport transformation.
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Oluwaseun Osiyemi, Lagos state commissioner for transportation, also emphasised that innovation and investment are essential to improving air quality, reducing congestion, and driving economic growth through sustainable mobility.
“Unleashing the potential of investment and innovation in clean urban transport is integral to improving air quality, reducing congestion, driving economic growth and making lives better for millions of Africans,” Osiyemi said.
He highlighted the need for cities to transition to cleaner energy and transport modes to address emissions and public health concerns, pointing out opportunities for private and institutional investment to accelerate the transition.
“A transition to cleaner urban transport modes, electric vehicles, non-motorised transport and other public transport systems will reduce emissions, urban air contamination and bring about better cities.
“Electric vehicle infrastructure, charging stations, battery swap stations and maintenance stations are a must for EV adoption,” Osiyemi said, noting that green finance and intelligent mobility solutions are also crucial for Africa’s transport development.
