The Greater Abidjan Urban Mobility Authority (AMUGA), in collaboration with the Africa Transport Policy Program (SSATP, an international partnership administered by the World Bank) organized the founding General Assembly of the African Association of Urban Transport Authorities (AAUTA) from 21 to 22 February 2023 at the Noom Hotel in Abidjan.
This meeting organized to address the challenges of African citizens in urban transport and mobility, in the face of rapidly increasing rates of urbanization and motorization of the continent, was attended by more than 40 leaders of the sector from over 13 African countries.
“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.”
During the two-day meeting, the urban transport leaders of Africa have:
- discussed and adopted the AAUTA’s constitutional documents, including the statutes, code of conduct and five-year business plan,
- set up the management bodies of the Association; and
- participated in technical sessions related to establishing and financing UTAs.
At the end of the meeting, Dr. Thierno Birahim AW, PhD, Director General of CETUD – Senegal, was appointed Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Association. His three Vice-Presidents are: Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, Managing Director of LAMATA – Nigeria; Mr. Antonio DOS SANTO, Managing Director of Maputo Metropolitan Transport Agency – Mozambique and Mr. Nabil BELABED Managing Director of Casa Transport – Morocco. Mr. Romain KOUAKOU, Director General of AMUGA – Ivory Coast was appointed the Permanent Secretary.
Let us recall that the 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.
Carlos Kpodiefin
