Africa must accelerate investment in critical infrastructure and digital solutions for smart mobility to succeed on the continent, Deputy President Paul Mashatile told delegates at the Smarter Mobility Africa (SMA) Conference in Johannesburg this week.
Delivering the keynote address at the conference dinner the deputy president said countries must invest in building charging stations for electric vehicles, expanding broadband connectivity, and developing intelligent transportation systems.
“Governments, private sector organisations and international partners must, therefore, come together to invest in the necessary infrastructure,” Mashatile said.
SMA, he believes, is another opportunity to collaborate to build a better and smarter transport system that will assist in growing the economy, creating jobs and improving people’s quality of life.
Smart mobility involves creating connected and integrated transport systems, which offer flexibility and efficiency, cutting across all modes of transport.
Mashatile said governments need to develop clear guidelines and regulations to ensure a safe and reliable transportation system. These should include regulations on data privacy, cybersecurity, and standards for electric vehicles.
“We must make it our responsibility to establish a harmonised approach to smarter mobility across Africa,” he said.
He said South Africa has embraced smarter mobility to align with ongoing worldwide discussions regarding the trajectory of mobility and climate change.
The government is pushing ahead with a National Transport Master Plan (NATMAP) 2050 strategy to establish a safe, affordable, dependable, and efficient means of transporting people and products.
“We understand that we cannot discuss the transport sector's transformation without addressing the exclusion of our youth, particularly girls and women, who continue to face devastating and discouraging unemployment and the risk of poverty and violence in our society,” Mashatile said.
In light of the accelerated urbanisation expected over the next few years, Mashatile said cities must prioritise urban planning policies that are responsive to change.
“The need for the transportation of both people and goods will always exist and is in most aspects one of the few ways in which economic development occurs,” he said.
Mashatile said the continent must seize opportunities presented by technology to enhance the efficacy and sustainability of transport systems.
“Major cities, such as Lagos, Nairobi, and Johannesburg, face significant challenges in heavy congestion, overcrowded public transport systems, poor traffic management, and overall inefficient public transportation systems,” he said.
He called for more imaginative mobility solutions that leverage technology to optimise routes, reduce traffic congestion, and use data to provide real-time information to commuters.
“In addition, smart mobility solutions can have a significantly positive impact on the environment,” Mashatile said.
He said the government is committed to supporting and investing in the expansion and development of new and existing manufacturing plants to support the production of new energy vehicles (NEVs) components and to grow employment in the automotive sector.
Shifting his focus to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Mashatile said the continent should address the inconsistent and inefficient goods and logistics services that have long impeded intra-African trade and commerce.
“Through this agreement, we will address the high customs delay times, lack of paved roadways on which goods can be conveyed, and more significant loss of goods due to limited cold chains compared to other global regions,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
