DigitalTransport4Africa Newsletter: December 2023

Welcome to the December 2023 edition of the DT4A Newsletter. Find out what’s new at DT4A and in the digital transport ecosystem and much more. Enjoy the read!

Stay tuned for more via the DT4A webinar series, newsletter, and @WRIAfrica and @WRIRossCities.

DT4A & Partners at the State of the Map Conference 2023

WRI and TUMI team members at the State of the Map 2023. Photo: State of the Map

Discover the forefront of sustainable mobility in Africa with DT4A and the Trasformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI). Our session, “Unlocking the Potential of Sustainable Mobility Data in Africa,” at the State of the Map Conference 2023 in Yaoundé, Cameroon, featured the winner of the DT4A Innovation Challenge. Transport officials from Abidjan and Addis Ababa added their perspectives to a dynamic panel discussion. Moreover, the session showcased ongoing work by TUMI and WRI and unveiled the Yaoundé Data Hub highlighting the transformative power of open data platforms in sustainable mobility planning. Learn more

DT4A at COP28

A panel convened by CCG and WRI at COP28 on “Tailoring Climate Action to Informal Transport.” Photo: CCG

Dive into the latest scoop from COP28’s “Transport Decarbonisation” side event hosted by Climate Compatible Growth (CCG) on December 4, 2023, in Dubai. The event brought together policymakers, leaders and transport officials to share ideas about how to plug data gaps in the informal transport sector and ensure a just transition to sustainable transport systems in the developing world. Get a sneak peek into the groundbreaking “Low Transport Carbon Futures in Zambia” project where DT4A, CCG and regional partners map GHG emission from public transport services in Lusaka. Learn more.

New Blog from DT4A & Transport for Cairo: ‘How to Integrate Africa’s Complex Paratransit Networks’

A new blog by Abdelrahman Melegy and Agraw Ali demonstrates the power of mapping and digitalizing transit data to shape the future of transport networks in African cities. It highlights a recent project co-led by DT4A and Transport for Cairo focused on Kumasi, Alexandria and Maputo—where paratransit networks play a vital role in meeting the mobility needs of the population—that utilizes existing transit data, provides skills training and showcases how cities can leverage data-driven transportation planning to improve services, increase efficiency and ensure sustainability. The blog emphasizes the significance of understanding existing networks, bridging data gaps and involving stakeholders to achieve inclusive and equitable transport systems. Learn more.

New Blog from WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities on Exploring Sustainable Transport Solutions

Authored by Anna Kustar, Thet Hein Tun and Ben Welle, this insightful blog sheds light on the untapped potential of informal transport systems in addressing climate change. By prioritizing accessibility, safety and fuel efficiency through policy implementation, governments can harness these systems to create sustainable and inclusive transportation solutions. Initiatives such as electrifying vehicle fleets and targeted financial support can contribute to emissions reduction and improved mobility for underserved communities. Learn more.

DT4A Webinar Series

The DT4A Webinar Series is a monthly webinar organized by WRI and consortium partners to facilitate knowledge exchange around public transport and data initiatives in African cities and beyond.

Navigating Safety – Ghana’s Two-Wheeled Journeys to School | November 29, 2023

The webinar focused on Ghana and highlighted the prevalence of bicycles as the second most common mode of transport for school children after walking. It consisted of two parts: the first part examined cycling infrastructure availability in Kumasi and Cape Coast using Open Street Map, while the second part discussed a recent study investigating safety perceptions among child cyclists in these cities. The webinar emphasized the hazardous environment created by inadequate cycling infrastructure by discouraging widespread adoption of cycling for school commutes despite its potential health and time benefits. Policy recommendations included aligning with the 2021 National Transport Policy and prioritizing active travel in line with Sustainable Development Goals 11.2 and 3.

DT4A Innovation Challenge

DT4A launched the DT4A Innovation Challenge in December 2021 to spotlight and award innovative urban mobility mapping initiatives. The first four winners of the DT4A Innovation Challenge were chosen in June 2022 from more than 100 submissions. AddisMap (Ethiopia), Ewarren (Côte d’Ivoire), GoMetro (South Africa) and KhartouMap (Sudan) are now in the midst of a 12-month implementation period and telling their stories of impact across Africa.
Explore the remarkable journeys of the DT4A Innovation Challenge winners as they share their firsthand experiences, insights and achievements in this exclusive Q&A interview. Gain valuable insights into the implementation and impact of their innovative ideas, including the challenges they faced and the remarkable outcomes they achieved. Additionally, hear from transport officials representing cities that have directly benefited from these innovations, such as Abidjan and Addis Ababa. Learn from their expertise and discover the transformative potential of their groundbreaking solutions.

• Read updates from AddisMap.
• Read updates from eWarren.
• Read updates from GoMetro.

Testimonials from DT4A Innovation Challenge Cities: Addis Ababa & Abidjan

Residents in Addis Ababa and Abidjan predominantly rely on informal public transport services. However, this sector in both cities face challenges stemming from limited technology use and lack of digital transport data. The cities are benefiting from the DT4A initiative, particularly through the solutions introduced by the DT4A innovation challenge winners. Looking ahead, the cities aspire to maximize the use of data and solutions to enhance sustainable mobility and urban planning. Learn more.

Partners Corner

New Tools for Improving User Information & Developing More Inclusive Paratransit Planning
Volvo Research and Educational Foundations arranged a virtual research forum on December 6, 2023, titled, “New Tools for Improving User Information and Developing More Inclusive Paratransit Planning,” to discuss three new projects within the Mobility and Access in African Cities program.
The forum focused on exploratory projects currently developing innovative methods to make paratransit more inclusive. Highlighted methods included using data from emerging General Transit Feed Specification formats to model paratransit routes and networks, and utilizing participatory co-design approaches and tools to develop more user-friendly transport information.

If you were unable to attend the forum on December 6, you can now watch the recording, download the presentations and follow the active conversation in the chat.

If you would like to be featured in our next newsletter, please contact Esthelyne Dusabe at esthelyne.dusabe@wri.org orinfo@digitaltransport4africa.org

The DT4A team wishes you happy holidays and a happy new year!