Africa’s Urban Transport Leaders Unite to Launch the African Association of Urban Transport Authorities (AAUTA) in Abidjan
The Greater Abidjan Urban Mobility Authority (AMUGA, Autorité de la mobilité urbaine dans le Grand Abidjan) in collaboration with the Africa Transport Policy Program (SSATP, an international partnership administered by the World Bank) are hosting the Founding General Assembly of the African Association of Urban Transport Authorities at the Noom Hotel in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on February 21-22, 2023.
Given the continent’s rapidly increasing urbanization and motorization rates, providing a sustainable response to the growing urban transport and mobility needs of citizens remains a challenge for most African cities. Recognizing the need to strengthen the institutions and processes that underpin the delivery of safe, affordable and efficient urban mobility services in Africa, over 40 urban transport leaders from over 13 African countries will unite to formally establish the African Association of Urban Transport Authorities (AAUTA).
AAUTA will serve as a dedicated platform for African urban transport authorities (UTAs) to: (i) meet and exchange lessons learned and good practices related to planning, coordinating, regulating, financing and managing urban transport systems in Africa, including the operation of UTAs themselves; (ii) promote and strengthen ties between other UTAs in the continent; (iii) support nascent structures and build the capacity of existing ones; (iv) promote public-private partnerships that provide the best conditions for mobilizing resources; and (v) strengthen cooperation with partners in development.
“The launch of the African Association of Urban Transport Authorities (AAUTA) is a major milestone in the effort to develop sustainable and decarbonized urban transport systems in Africa” said Mustapha Benmaamar, Program Manager of SSATP. “SSATP is committed to supporting this important association, which will serve as a valuable platform for institutions in charge of organizing urban mobility at the metropolitan level to share good practices and support each other in carrying out their mandates.”
“By building a strong network of urban transport authorities across the continent, the establishment of this association is a great leap forward towards creating a more sustainable and equitable future for African cities. It is my hope that by joining forces, we, as urban transport leaders of Africa, will be better equipped to handle the urban mobility challenges we face on a daily basis,“ said Romain Kouakou, Director General of AMUGA. “AMUGA is proud to be a part of this effort and looks forward to working with SSATP and other UTAs to ensure that the association is successful in its mission.”
At the Founding General Assembly, Africa’s urban transport leaders will have the opportunity to: (i) discuss and adopt the AAUTA’s constitutional documents, including the statutes, code of conduct and five-year business plan, (ii) set up the management bodies of the Association; and (iii) participate in technical sessions related to establishing and financing UTAs.
