In the heart of Sub-Saharan Africa, Lusaka, Zambia’s capital, is grappling with rapid urbanization, congestion, and social inequities, presenting significant challenges to sustainable urban mobility. A recent study published in the journal “Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives” (translated as “Transportation Research: Interdisciplinary Perspectives”) sheds light on the city’s transport policy landscape, offering a roadmap for improvement that could resonate across the region and beyond.
Led by Moses Mwale, a researcher from the Department of Transport and Supply Chain Management at the University of Johannesburg, the study systematically analyzed 14 legislative, policy, and strategic documents. The aim was to evaluate how current frameworks promote sustainable mobility in Lusaka, with a focus on public transport, non-motorized transport (NMT), electric vehicles (EVs), and shared mobility services.
The findings reveal a mixed picture. “There are strengths in non-motorized transport and public transport strategies,” Mwale notes, “but major gaps remain, including the absence of EV incentives and charging infrastructure, unregulated shared mobility, weak enforcement, and poor integration of land-use and transport planning.”
These gaps present both challenges and opportunities for the energy sector. The lack of EV infrastructure, for instance, could be a catalyst for investment in charging networks and renewable energy integration. Meanwhile, the need for regulated shared mobility services opens doors for innovative business models that combine transport and energy solutions.
The study also highlights the importance of policy integration. “Effective transport policy cannot exist in a vacuum,” Mwale explains. “It needs to be closely aligned with land-use planning and other sectors to create a sustainable urban mobility ecosystem.”
The research offers actionable recommendations, including legislative revisions with measurable targets, stronger institutional capacity, and investments in modern public transport, NMT infrastructure, and regulated shared services. These recommendations could guide not just Lusaka, but other cities in Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond, facing similar challenges.
As urbanization continues to accelerate, the demand for sustainable, efficient, and equitable transport solutions will only grow. This study provides a timely and valuable contribution to the policy debate, offering a replicable framework for analysis and a clear set of recommendations for action. For the energy sector, it underscores the need for integrated thinking and innovative solutions that can drive both transport and energy transitions.
In the words of Mwale, “This study establishes an evidence-based foundation for transport policy reform in Lusaka and provides lessons for advancing sustainable mobility across Sub-Saharan Africa.” It’s a call to action that resonates far beyond the streets of Lusaka, echoing in cities worldwide striving for a more sustainable future.