Dare Babalola
The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority has kicked off its 2025 International Conference on Sustainable Urban Mobility with the theme: ‘Harnessing Clean Urban Transport Innovation and Investment in Africa’.
The conference, which started on Wednesday, brings together stakeholders from across Africa and beyond to discuss sustainable transportation solutions for the continent.
Delegates from across Africa, including Senegal, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, Ghana, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone, will share lessons, pitch projects, and explore opportunities for collaboration.
The conference aims to foster continental cooperation and shared solutions to accelerate the adoption of clean, inclusive, and sustainable mobility systems.
In his keynote address, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu highlighted LAMATA’s achievements in sustainable mobility, including the completion of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue Line and Red Line, and the introduction of electric and Comptessed Natural Gas buses.
Represented by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, Sanwo-Olu emphasised the need for innovation, investment, and collaboration to transform urban transport into a catalyst for growth, sustainability, and inclusivity.
He called on African governments, institutions, and the private sector to demystify carbon financing, develop banking, climate-resilient projects, and attract private investment while delivering social impact.
The governor also emphasised the importance of active mobility, renewable energy, and air quality monitoring in creating sustainable transport systems.
He said, “We are all united by one urgent mission – to harness innovation and investment for cleaner, sustainable urban mobility in Africa. So, the theme for this year reflects the pressing need to embrace the new ideas and mobilise resources to transform urban transport into catalysts for growth, sustainability, and inclusivity across our continent.
“Cities are growing rapidly, and with them, the demand for safe, reliable and affordable mobility increases, yet we must know that we suffer from inadequate infrastructure, rising emissions, congestion and safety concern. So, for us in Africa, sustainable mobility is not a luxury, but a necessity for achieving economic development, social equity and climate resilience.”
Earlier, the Director-General of LAMATA, Abimbola Akinajo, expressed delight at hosting the conference, highlighting the agency’s commitment to pioneering multimodal transport initiatives that were reshaping urban mobility in Lagos.
Akinajo highlighted the agency’s emphasis on inclusivity, particularly through partnerships aimed at tackling sexual harassment and promoting safe and welcoming transport systems for women, children, the elderly, and persons living with disabilities.
She described the conference as historic, noting that it marked the first international edition, extending the agency’s effort beyond the national shores.
Speaking on the theme for 2025, Akinajo said, “It underscores the urgent need for our continent to move beyond policy dialogues into concrete action that integrates clean energy technological innovation and long time investments in Africa’s mobility agenda.
“LAMATA continues to pioneer multimodal transport initiatives that are reshaping urban mobility in Lagos, our integrated approach covering road, rail and waterways in conjunction with our sister agency, Lagos State Waterways Authority, aligns with the global best practices while being firmly grounded in local realities.”
She noted that the activities of the agency in the past two years completely exemplified its commitment to zero emissions.
“Distinguished participants our shared responsibility is clear, we must create a future where African transport systems are defined not by congestion, exclusion and pollution, but by efficiency, equity and sustainability, this requires scaling up clean technologies, unlocking financing, strengthening institutions, and, above all, deepening collaborations across borders,” Akinajo declared.
On his part, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said the government would launch a new transport policy aimed at transforming the state’s transportation system.
The policy, according to the commissioner, seeks to provide reliable, equitable, and sustainable access to transportation for all residents.
He said the policy would feature a sustainable, integrated, and multimodal public transport system, which includes expanding Bus Rapid Transit systems, metro, and road networks, as well as promoting non-motorised transportation.
Osiyemi added that the policy also aimed to reduce car trips, improve transport connectivity, and enhance safety and security.
He added that it also seeks to promote environmental sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The 2025 edition of the conference is expected to provide actionable recommendations, concrete partnerships, and renewed commitments that will inspire real transformation in Africa’s transport sector.
