WEBINAR: Safe Journeys to School - Protecting Africa's Future Through Safer Mobility
On April 17, 2026, SSATP and the African Association of Road Safety Lead Agencies (AARSLA) co‑organized the webinar “Safe Journeys to School: Protecting Africa’s Future Through Safer Mobility” in commemoration of World Public Transport Day. The session brought together policymakers, practitioners, and road safety experts from across Africa to share insights, experiences, and practical solutions for improving school mobility and reducing risks for children on African roads.
Drawing on real‑world experiences and proven interventions, the webinar highlighted what works, what can be adapted across different country contexts, and what is required to implement sustainable and scalable Safe Journeys to School initiatives. Key discussion areas included:
- The current state of child road safety in Africa, including data trends and high-risk environments
- Safe school zone design through effective infrastructure, such as traffic calming measures, pedestrian crossings, sidewalks, and cycle lanes
- The role of public transport systems—both formal and informal—in ensuring safe school mobility, as well as community engagement strategies to support it
- Policy and institutional frameworks needed to integrate Safe Routes to School into national and local strategies
- Innovative financing mechanisms and partnerships to support safe school infrastructure
- Practical case studies and lessons from African countries and technical partners
The webinar featured short expert presentations followed by an interactive discussion, creating space for knowledge exchange, peer learning, and collaborative problem-solving. Participants benefited from a solutions-oriented dialogue aimed at strengthening efforts toward safer school journeys for children across Africa.
Webinar Materials & Presentations
- Webinar Recording
- Safe Journeys to School: Enhancing Child Road Safety Through Practical Strategies – by Marisela Ponce de Leon Valdes, SSATP’s Road Safety Pillar Lead
- Designing Safe School Zones: Traffic calming, pedestrian crossings, sidewalks, signage – by Nathalie Chiavassa, iRAP Lead Consultant Safer Journeys Africa
- School Mobility in Benin: Role of Formal and Informal Road Transport Systems – by Zinsou Bienvenu, Direction des Transports Terrestres et de l'Administration (DTTA), Benin
- Integrating Child Road Safety into National Policy - Republic of Uganda – by Winstone Katushabe, Commissioner Transport Regulation and Safety/Chief Licensing Officer, Ministry of Works and Transport, Uganda
- Amend's Safe Schools Africa Program - by Ayikai Poswayo, Program Director, AMEND
- Innovative Financing and Partnerships: Financing Models for Safe School Infrastructure — The Case of NGO ALINAGNON of Benin – by Aurélien Martial Crédo Tougan, Project and Program Manager, NGO ALINAGNON
- Community Engagement and Behaviour Change: Role of parents, schools, and local communities – by Ariel Sacramento, DG Centre National de Sécurité Routière (CNSR) and AARSLA Vice President