Fast Tracking Road Safety Initiatives in Africa: an Inescapable Necessity

The International Road Federation (IRF) Geneva, together with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the African Union (AU), and the Tanzanian Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication organised a regional seminar called “Fast Tracking Road Safety Initiatives in Africa: An Inescapable Necessity. ” The two-day Regional Road Safety Seminar was held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on 13 – 14 March 2017. The seminar focussed on ways to accelerate the implementation of actions to address t
May 30, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
A road safety initiative was held in Tanzania with the help of the IRF
The International Road Federation (IRF) Geneva, together with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the African Union (AU), and the Tanzanian Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication organised a regional seminar called “Fast Tracking Road Safety Initiatives in Africa: An Inescapable Necessity. ”  The two-day Regional Road Safety Seminar was held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on 13 – 14 March 2017.  The seminar focussed on ways to accelerate the implementation of actions to address the growing problem of road safety in Africa.


The Honourable Tanzanian Minister for Works, Transport and Communications, and Chairman of the IRF Africa Board, Prof. Makame Mbarawa, inaugurated the event in Dar Es Salaam and urged the participants to develop realistic and implementable strategies to combat the pandemic on African roads.  During his keynote address, the Honourable Deputy Minister of Transport of Namibia, Mr. Sankwasa James Sankwasa, emphasised the urgency of acting to improve road safety in Africa.

The key conclusions of the seminar were:

1. Political commitment is needed for improving road safety.

2. Each country should prepare a national road map.

3. Dedicated Road Safety Boards addressing ALL aspects of road safety should be established.

4. The Road Safety Board should report directly to the Head of State.

5. Countries should implement road safety standards for vehicles and infrastructure.

6. Regular road safety audits and inspections should be made routine.

7. A “Black-spot” remediation program should be implemented.

8. Reliable data collection and management systems must underpin road safety policy.

9. Road safety education should become an integral part of school curriculums.

Related Content

  • Tanzania’s new road safety programme launched
    October 6, 2022
    Tanzania has launched a new road safety programme.
    Read More
  • Challenges and investment opportunities in East Africa transport infrastructure Sector
    November 21, 2014
    East Africa offers considerable potential for transport infrastructure expansion and investment - Shem Oirere reports Infrastructure, infrastructure and more infrastructure is what is needed to make East Africa the favoured destination and Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda have unveiled grand plans to enhance the infrastructure both nationally and regionally.” This is how market analyst Deloitte introduced its 2014/15 budget analysis for the four countries in July.
    Read More
  • Regional seminar on performance based contract for road, Arusha, Tanzania July 2016
    May 19, 2016
    Without timely and proper maintenance, the condition and value of road networks, and the benefits from investing in these road networks, deteriorate, diminish, and become smaller. In much of Africa, the condition of the road networks leaves much to be desired. The IRF Geneva is coming together with the Tanzanian Ministry of Works, Transport and Communications, the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS), the Tanzanian Roads Fund Board, Tanzanian Road Association (TARA), the Tanzania Transportation Tec
    Read More
  • IRF side event at 2nd Global High Level Conference on Road Safety in Brasilia, Brazil
    January 4, 2016
    IRF Geneva, together with the Multi-lateral Development Banks (MDBs), and the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) organised a side event called “Safe Infrastructure for All Users.” The side event provided information about various tools and ongoing initiatives under Pillar 2 “Safe roads and mobility” of the Decade of Action. Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Transport of India, presided over a very well attended side event. Gadkari highlighted the importance of addressing the road safety of a
    Read More

Highlighted Content