For a continent on the frontlines of the climate crisis, it’s never been more critical to realize a transport system that reduces the negative impacts on the environment. More countries are moving away from internal combustion engine-based technology in an effort to meet the challenge of making transport sustainable in Africa. In addition to its adverse effects on human health via air pollution and road fatalities, the current model is failing to support underdeveloped regions and rural communities, cutting them off from trade, commerce, essential services and jobs.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently underlined the interlinkage between the global shift towards renewable energy and sustainable transport. Beyond the environmental benefits of such a shift, there’s a huge economic incentive for Africa. Improved mobility and road access is projected to help aid development in landlocked countries, open up the continent for trade, and create a regional food market worth $1 trillion by the end of the decade.

We spoke to Jit Bhattacharya, CEO and co-founder of BasiGo, the first company to launch an electric passenger bus in Kenya, and Jane Akumu, Head of the Sustainable Mobility Unit at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), about the ever-increasing demand for mobility and how to make transport sustainable in Africa.