Sandton, South Africa, 2nd October, 2025
On the second day of the Smart Mobility Africa 2025 Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre, transport leaders and Policy makers turned their focus to the future of integrated mobility. Nairobi City County’s Executive Committee Member for Mobility and Works, Mr. Ibrahim Auma, joined a high-level panel to highlight the transformative role of Integrated Transport Master Plans (ITMPs) in shaping Africa’s urban future.
Mr. Auma described ITMPs as “long-term strategic frameworks that harmonize all modes of transport with land use, housing, and economic growth.” He stated that, by embedding equity, safety, accessibility, and climate resilience into transport systems, ITMPs can become powerful drivers of sustainable urban development.
He cited ITMPs as crucial in reducing congestion and strengthening regional connectivity, adding that by prioritizing mass rapid transit, walking, and cycling, and reinforcing commuter rail and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors, ITMPs also promote transit oriented development, cutting long commutes and curbing urban sprawl.
“Stronger institutional coordination across national and local governments is key to making these plans work,” Mr. Auma added.
The County Mobility Head acknowledged significant barriers such as institutional fragmentation, limited funding, policy blind spots, and data gaps. To overcome these, he called for stronger governance and planning institutions, greater technical capacity, sustainable financing mechanisms, climate- and equity-centered approaches, and deeper stakeholder engagement.
Reflecting on Nairobi’s experience, Mr. Auma admitted that earlier masterplans underestimated the role of e-mobility and non-motorized transport. He noted that the city is now addressing this through initiatives such as electric vehicle charging infrastructure, updated building code regulations, Low Emission Zones, and a redesigned bus network to improve efficiency and cut emissions.
Stressing that masterplans must remain dynamic, he said they should be treated as “living instruments of transformation, not static documents.” He argued that Africa now has an opportunity to design transport systems that reduce inequality, strengthen regional integration, and build climate-resilient cities.
“As a continent, we must work together to build smarter, greener, and more inclusive mobility,” he concluded, echoing the summit’s call to action.
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