BACKGROUNDThe Africa Transport Policy Program (SSATP) is an international partnership of 40 African countries, Regional Economic Communities, continental institutions (African Union Commission), U.N. agencies (United Nations Economic Commission for Africa), public and private sector organizations, and international development agencies and organizations. All SSATP members are united in their efforts to strengthen policies and strategies to promote efficient, safe and sustainable transport for the people in Africa.

Since its inception in 1987, SSATP has established itself as a well recognized transport policy development forum in Africa, bringing together diverse stakeholders, while developing networks of specialists—researchers, operators and consultants—in most land transport related fields in Africa. SSATP support has contributed to significantly improve the effectiveness of the transport sector, with positive follow-on effects for the wider economy. 28 countries have now established second-generation road funds, a mechanism for expanding revenue sources and increasing spending accountability, and 18 countries operate a road agency with greater autonomy from line ministries. This is a direct result of SSATP’s initiative to promote commercialization of road sector management. More broadly, reforms in the transport sector supported by SSATP have also contributed to the implementation of poverty reduction strategies in 21 countries.

During its second development plan (2009-2014) the program has been focusing on three strategic themes: 1) promoting comprehensive pro-poor and pro-growth transport sector strategies; 2) promoting sustainable institutional and financial arrangements for road infrastructure and rural and urban transport services; and 3) improving transit transport along selected international corridors.

The African Development Bank, the European Commission, the Islamic Development Bank and the World Bank, along with Austria, France, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, contributed financially to this second phase through a trust fund administered by the World Bank.

FOCUS SSATP’s focus is on policy development and related capacity building of Africa’s transport sector. Program activities encompass knowledge creation, knowledge dissemination, advocacy, and knowledge application. By working with a wide range of stakeholders, the program contributes to identify transport-related issues that must be addressed, monitoring improvements and deficiencies, building the capacity of transport authorities, and facilitating the allocation of resources to specific projects.

PARTNERSHIPS FOR SUSTAINABILITYWorking through partnerships is fundamental to SSATP. Not only for the purpose of extending the geographical reach of the program and increasing its impact, but also for ensuring the sustainability of SSATP’s achievements beyond the life span of the program itself. Beyond the World Bank which has been SSATP traditional partner, SSATP is working with a broad range of partners, including the African Union Commission, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the Regional Economic Communities in Africa, other development partners, African associations such as the African Road Maintenance Funds Association and road safety agencies.

LEVERAGING SUPPORTTo further increase the impact of SSATP’s initiatives, SSATP has successfully leveraged its own resources with contributions from development partners, member countries, and partner institutions to implement and apply the knowledge generated by SSATP. More than US$ 7 million dollar in additional funding was contributed by Zambia, the European Commission, Switzerland and the International Development Association.

ACHIEVEMENTSUnder the current development plan, SSATP as an Africa-wide program has been involved in 23 African countries to strengthen their efforts in the transport sector. Results include:

Tanzania: As a result of an SSATP supported initiative on road safety, a new legislation on licensing and regulation of heavy good vehicles was ratified and became effective. It will impact on more than 100,000 truck drivers who will be mandatory trained. The legislation also covers measures such as banning the import of trucks older than 10 years, stepping up vehicle inspection and establishing an independent vehicle inspection unit.

Sierra Leone: SSATP provided technical assisstance to update the 2003 national transport strategy. The new strategy addresses both physical – infrastructures and services—and organizational dimensions of the national transport system, and serves as an important input to Sierra Leone’s second Poverty Reduction Strategy.

Uganda: The government approved a new policy for rural transport, developed with the support of SSATP. This policy and the subsequent SSATP review of the Government’s implementation of the national gender policy in the road sector will contribute to the Uganda’s National Transport Policy under preparation.

ADVOCATING FOR ROAD SAFETY

In partnership with the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commis-sion for Africa (UNECA), SSATP was one of the key contributors to the strategy that underpins the Dec-ade of Action for Road Safety in Africa. In support to the Decade, SSATP launched its road safety program in 2012. Initial positive results include the planning for a Safe Road Corridor and the signing of a multi-sectoral Memorandum of Understanding in Zambia, the review of the National Road Safety Strategy in Ethiopia. SSATP produced a road safety man-agement framework to guide African countries in developing and improving their road safety management systems.

The Africa Transport Policy Program (SSATP)Promoting efficient, safe, and sustainable transport policies for people in Africa

Nigeria: SSATP facilitated a participatory review process to update the 2006 National Rural Transport Policy and the National Rural Transport Strategy. The focus was on addressing the gaps to meet the national development objectives, provide clarity in the institutional relationships within the sector and identify prerequisites for countrywide policy implementation.

Mozambique: SSATP facilitated a consultation process with the private sector to further improve the effectiveness of the Maputo Corridor. Private sector input was integrated into the draft law that regulates the transit regime and was later adopted by the government.

Burkina Faso: SSATP supported the development of the country’s new strategy for the transport sector by funding workshops with key stakeholders to confirm the strategy’s main priorities and promote ownership for effective implementation.

Other achievements include:

MAINSTREAMING SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT AND CLIMATE CHANGE PREPAREDNESS INTO TRANSPORT POLICIES: In partnership with UNEP, UN-Habitat, the World Bank and the Government of Kenya, SSATP is working towards establishing the Africa Sustainable Transport Forum to (i) establish an institutional platform that increases understanding of the benefits of building sustainable transport networks across Africa; (ii) build a support system for regional cooperation on achieving sustainable transport; (iii) stimulate policy dialogue on sustainable transport in a systematic way; (iv) enable local, national, and regional stakeholders to improve knowledge and expand existing best practices; and (v) facilitate access to financing of sustainable transport.

IMPROVING TRANSPORT SECTOR GOVERNANCE: SSATP has developed a set of indicators as a tool to identify issues in the transport sector and evaluate the impact of measures to address them. SSATP has worked with countries towards strengthening their institutions responsible for transport data management and setting up systems in Burkina Faso, Uganda, Swaziland and Zambia.

PROMOTING REGIONAL INTEGRATION: SSATP is building the capacity of the Regional Economic Communities, corridor management authorities and national institutions to monitor corridor performance, understand the causes of poor performance and make evidence-based policy decisions. Efficient transport corridors are critical for improving the competitiveness of countries and regions, increasing trade and ultimately economic growth and reducing poverty.

LOOKING FORWARDThe transport sector in Africa continues to face significant challenges. These range from underinvestment and inadequate maintenance to poor road safety and weak governance, with climate change issues bringing together another set of demands. Addressing these challenges comprehensively will enable African countries to achieve more efficient transport systems, benefit from globalization and growing international trade, and ultimately boost economic growth and improve the living conditions of African citizens.

SSATP is preparing its third development plan (2015–2018). The strategic goals are to increase ownership of SSATP by key stakeholders, anchor the program in Africa, adopt a more-demand driven approach, address emerging issues in the transport sector, and connect with other initiatives on the continent. The program is structured around three clusters: 1) Integration, connectivity, and cohesion; 2) Urban mobility and accessibility; and 3) Road safety.

To learn more about SSATP visit our website in English and French and join our community of practice at: www.ssatp.org

Join us on LinkedIn and subscribe to our video stream at: youtube.com/user/AfricaTransport

TRANSPORT AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

SSATP was instrumental in establishing the linkage between transport and the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that were officially established in the year 2000 by the United Nations to cut in half extreme poverty. Transport is central to development, because it enables access to core services, such as schools and medical facilities, and it facilitates access to markets. At the Rio+20 Confer-ence in 2012 it was agreed that a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) should be developed, building on the MDGs and converging with the post 2015 development agenda. There are several key areas where the transport sector is fundamental to achieving sustainable development, such as urban transport, air quality, road safety, and energy efficiency and climate change. SSATP is working with its member countries to increase their awareness and readiness to support the inclusion of sustainable transport in the discussions of the SDGs.

SSATP PUBLICATIONS As part of SSATP’s knowledge creation, the program produces on a regular basis, publications in both English and French. They document the work undertaken by SSATP in collaboration with member countries, highlight good practices across the continent, and address knowledge gaps in the transport sector. All documents are available for download through the SSATP website (www.ssatp.org), and dis-seminated at conferences, work-shops and through social media channels. Recent publications include:

• Managing Road Safety in Africa: A Framework for National Lead Agencies (2014)

• Good Policies and Practices on Rural Transport in Africa:• Planning Infrastructure & Services (2014)• Monitoring and Evaluation (2014)• Rural Transport: Improving its Contribution to Growth and Poverty Reduction in

SSA (2012)• A Review of International Legal Instruments for the Facilitation of Transport and

Trade in Africa (2014)• Corridor Transport Observatory Guidelines (2013)• Border Crossing Monitoring along the Northern Corridor (2013)• Guidelines for Mainstreaming Road Safety in Regional Trade Road Corridors

(2013)• Transport Governance Indicators for Sub-Saharan Africa (2013)• Rail Transport: Framework for Improving Railway Sector Performance in SSA

(2013)• Progress on Commercialized Road Management in Sub-Saharan Africa (2012)• Overload Control Practices in Eastern and Southern Africa (2011)• Understanding the Emerging Role of Motorcycles in African Cities (2011)• Gazing into The Mirror II: Performance contracts in Cameroon Customs (2009)• Toolkit on Fare Collection Systems for Urban Passenger Transport (2006)

TOP TRANSPORT CHALLENGES IN AFRICA

• High rate of road fatalities. Every year more than 300,000 people lose their lives on the streets and highways of Africa. Countless people live with permanent inju-ries. Road safety impacts most vulnerable road users and the poor.

• Increasingly congested cities with poor urban planning. By 2050, it is projected that 60% of all Africans will live in urban areas. Increased motorization and accelerating congestion are expected as a result of fast economic growth.

• Trade and economic growth are hindered by poor connectivity. Cross-border transport in Africa often suffers from long delays and cumbersome procedures, puni-tive and arbitrary transit tariffs, transport restrictions, and lack of security for transport users. Poor accessibility to rural areas makes it difficult to export agricul-tural products and to benefit from non-agricultural employment.

• Poor governance in the transport sector translates into weak leadership and institutions, as well as inefficiencies throughout the sector. A major user of budget resources for investment, this sector is also prone to corruption.

• Climate change is inextricably linked to transport: growing motorization rates increase Green House Gas emissions, while extreme weather events disrupt transport operations.