events

Every day, road crashes claim the lives of an estimated 700 people in Africa, many of them pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. With the highest road traffic fatality rate in the world, Africa urgently needs stronger leadership, better coordination, and evidence-based policies. In response, African countries have come together to launch the African Association of Road Safety Lead Agencies (AARSLA)—a new platform designed to tackle this crisis head-on.

AARSLA is designed to strengthen the leadership, capacity, and coordination of national road safety lead agencies (RSLAs). The Association aims to serve as a collaborative platform for knowledge exchange, capacity building, and policy advocacy, laying the groundwork for collective action toward safer roads and more sustainable mobility across the continent.

Three Pillars of Action

The Association’s work is anchored in three mutually reinforcing pillars:

• Exchanging knowledge and experiences among agency leaders to strengthen institutional mandates, financing, data systems, and political engagement.
• Building capacity through structured training for both current managers and the next generation of road safety professionals.
• Advocating for reform by developing joint technical and policy positions that guide national strategies and amplify Africa’s voice in regional and global forums.

From Vision to Action

The SSATP general assembly unanimously endorsed the establishment of AARSLA during the Annual General Meeting held in Cotonou, Benin, in March 2025. At that time, 19 countries committed to join the Association and approved the proposed vision and governance framework, including the draft Charter and interim leadership structure.

Building on this momentum, road safety leaders from across the continent convened in Lusaka, Zambia, on June 26–27, 2025, for AARSLA’s inaugural General Assembly. Co-hosted by SSATP and Zambia’s Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA), the event brought together over 40 representatives from 23 countries. During the Assembly, participants formally adopted the AARSLA Charter and confirmed the members of the Executive Committee, giving the Association a strong mandate to coordinate efforts at the regional level. Seven additional countries joined the association during the event, expanding its reach and reinforcing its legitimacy.

Inclusive Governance Structure

To ensure regional representation and effective governance, AARSLA elected a five-member Executive Committee composed of representatives from across the continent:

• President: Kenya
• 1st Vice President: Benin
• 2nd Vice President: Cameroon
• 3rd Vice President: Cabo Verde
• 4th Vice President: Zambia

Nigeria was designated as the host country of the AARSLA Secretariat, with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) tasked with leading the formalization of the Association as an international nonprofit entity.

The Association’s governance structure includes a General Assembly as its highest decision-making body, supported by an Executive Secretariat, Auditors, thematic Special Commissions, and a Corporate Activities Commission responsible for coordinating meetings and managing the broader network.

SSATP Support and Outlook

SSATP will provide both technical and financial support to AARSLA over the next two years. This support includes recruiting a part-time consultant for the Secretariat, developing a website and business plan, and financing the next General Assembly, which the Democratic Republic of Congo will host in 2026.

With a clear mandate and committed support, AARSLA is positioned to help countries strengthen institutions, coordinate efforts, and advance road safety outcomes across Africa.