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UITP Africa Conference 2026: Moving Millions: Africa’s Next Mobility Revolution

6 - 7 août 2026
Johannesburg, South Africa
Maslow Hotel, Sandton
Free
Register Now
Free
Africa Accessibility Authorities Bus Data Infrastructure Conference

Africa’s cities are growing rapidly, but transport systems are not keeping pace. The challenge is no longer about plans or strategies—it is about delivering systems that work in practice, under real financial, institutional, and operational constraints.

This public transport conference is designed as a working platform. It brings together authorities, operators, and partners to engage on what is actually being implemented, what is not working, and how systems can be improved and scaled.

The focus is practical: institutional coordination, operational performance, cost pressures, safety, and how to use major moments—such as large events—to accelerate change.

The conference focuses on practical delivery of mobility in Africa: institutional coordination, scaling affordable bus systems, mobility planning for mega-events such as AFCON 2027, and improving safety, security and public trust.

Sessions draw on lessons from Dakar, Addis Ababa, Lagos, Cape Town and global case studies to explore sustainable, financially viable systems that move more people efficiently under real operational constraints.

What Will You Learn?

The conference focuses on practical delivery of mobility in Africa: institutional coordination, scaling affordable bus systems, mobility planning for mega-events such as AFCON 2027, and improving safety, security and public trust.

Sessions draw on lessons from Dakar, Addis Ababa, Lagos, Cape Town and global case studies to explore sustainable, financially viable systems that move more people efficiently under real operational constraints.

Who is it for?

This event is ideal for public transport authorities, paratransit organisations, industry suppliers, professional bodies, government, aid agencies and roads agencies.

This event is free of charge to attend.

Programme

Registration & Welcome Coffee

08:00 – 08:50

INTRODUCTION – Laverne Dimitrov, Head of Africa International Association of Public Transport (UITP)

WELCOME ADDRESS – Japhter Makhafola, HOD Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (GPDRT)

OPENING ADDRESS – Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport: Kedibone Diale-Tlabela

PLENARY ADDRESS – Keynote Address: Jaspal Singh, UITP

 

Moderator:

Speakers 

– Randy Wilson, Head, Department of Transportation, Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly: Ghana

– Peter Grey: Principal, Pegasys

This panel session focuses on how cities deliver change. Across Africa, progress depends less on strategy and more on whether institutions are aligned and able to act.

Discussion will focus on:
– How national, provincial, and city roles are aligned in practice
– The role of a lead transport authority in driving delivery
– Coordination across agencies (transport, infrastructure, finance)
– Managing paratransit reform in complex political and operational environments

Cases such as Dakar, Addis Ababa and Lagos will be used to illustrate how coordination enables delivery, while other cities highlight the cost of fragmented mandates.

Coffee break & Networking

11:00 – 11:30

 

2.1. Electric Bus Expansion 2030

2.2. Scaling up bus systems

Moderator:

 Speakers:

–       City of Cape Town

–       Jared Gray, Executive Manager: Business Planning, Gautrain,

This session is grounded in real operator experience.

Key challenges include:
– High operating costs of infrastructure that do not match demand
– Pressure to reduce costs due to declining public funding
– Trade-offs between service quality, capacity, and affordability
– Procurement constraints limiting flexibility

A specific focus will be placed on:
– Rethinking infrastructure design (stations vs stops)
– Aligning fleet design with actual operations
– Maintenance regimes and depot management

– Electric bus deployment and battery sizing based on real usage

Global moderators from Latin America or Asia will be invited to show how systems were scaled from informal or fragmented services into structured, high-performance networks.

 

 

Lunch & Networking

13:00 – 14:00

Moderator: Laverne Dimitrov: UITP

Speakers
• Jaspal Singh, Membership an Global Operations Director, UITP
• Henry Fagan team
• iRAP, in progress

Large events provide a unique opportunity to test and improve transport systems—but they also expose weaknesses.

Drawing from the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the session will reflect on:
– What worked: rapid system rollout, strong coordination, visible service improvements
– What did not: limited long-term integration and sustainability challenges

Looking ahead to AFCON 2027, the session will focus on:
– How host cities can use the event to strengthen systems, not just manage demand
– The role of buses as the backbone of event transport
– Integrating informal transport into event operations
– Building coordination mechanisms that last beyond the event

Insights from UITP’s global workshops (USA, Canada, Mexico) will be used to highlight how cities manage demand, safety, and operations at scale.

Dounia Gourram, Head of Maghreb, UITP

Coffee break

15:15 – 15:30

Panel presentations followed by a workshop

Roundtable workshop and discussions
Safety remains one of the most critical and under-addressed issues in African transport systems.

This session will focus on:
– Safe routes to BRT infrastructure (Ethiopia, Nigeria, Dakar, Tanzania)
– Passenger security and crime prevention in the Paratransit space
– Designing systems that are safe by default (walking infrastructure)
– Building user trust and increasing ridership
– Women safety in Public Transport

The discussion will emphasize that without safety, systems cannot scale or sustain demand.

Insights & Closing remarks

16:30 – 16:45

Banquet and networking cocktails

17:00 – 18:30

Practical Information

Recommended Hotels:

HotelAddressTelephone
The MaslowCorner Rivonia Road & Grayston Drive, Sandton, Johannesburg+27 10 226 4600
The Leonardo75 Maude Street, Sandown, Sandton, 2146+27 87 536 0000
@Sandton Hotel5 Benmore Road, Benmore Gardens, Sandton, 2196+27 11 395 4777
Southern Sun Sandton123 Rivonia Road, Sandown, Sandton, 2196+27 11 282 0000

Venue

The conference will be held at The Maslow Hotel, Sandton.

Travel & Safety

The UITP Africa Conference 2026 will be held in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa’s leading business and conference district, renowned for hosting international conferences and business events throughout the year.

To support a comfortable and seamless experience, delegates are encouraged to stay at one of the conference hotels located within close proximity to the venue. Recommended accommodation and transport options will be provided upon registration.

The conference venue is situated in a well-established business precinct with convenient access to:

  • Hotels
  • Restaurants
  • Shopping facilities
  • Gautrain rapid rail services
  • O.R. Tambo International Airport

Delegates are encouraged to use registered transport services, including the Gautrain, hotel shuttle services and licensed ride-hailing providers. As with travel to any major international city, normal precautions are recommended when travelling.

The conference organisers are working closely with local partners and the venue to ensure a safe, welcoming and professionally managed event. Should delegates require assistance before or during the conference, the organising team will be available to provide support.

Frequently asked questions

Is Johannesburg safe for conference delegates?

The conference is hosted in Sandton, Johannesburg’s principal business and convention district, which regularly welcomes thousands of international business travellers each year. Delegates are encouraged to follow standard travel advice applicable to any major international city, including using registered transport providers and remaining aware of their surroundings. The conference team will provide practical travel information and local support to all registered delegates. This wording is balanced: it reassures delegates without overstating safety or implying that there is a specific security problem. It also avoids making claims that could be difficult to substantiate, while reflecting standard advice for international business travel

Speakers

Jaspal SINGH

Sr Director Membership & Global Operations
Membership & Global Operations
Canada

Laverne DIMITROV

Head of Africa
Membership & Global Operations
UITP Team

Lottie STAINER

Transport & Urban Life Manager
Knowledge & Innovation
Belgium
UITP Team

Dounia GOURRAM

Head of Maghreb LO
Membership & Global Operations
UITP Team

Contact Us

Have a question about any aspect of this event?  Please contact our team.

Dounia GOURRAM

Head of Maghreb LO
Membership & Global Operations
UITP Team

Laverne DIMITROV

Head of Africa
Membership & Global Operations
UITP Team

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