By Sipho Tshabalala
 
Stakeholders from across the transport sector attended the Smarter Mobility Africa (SMA) Summit and its hosting partners for an opening ceremony that featured the National Minister of Transport Ms Barbara Creecy and members of the Gauteng executive council - MECs Ms Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, Matome Chiloane and Lebogang Maile.
 
The three-day event from 02-04 October 2024 held in Midrand, Johannesburg, is hosted in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport, Transport Authority of Gauteng, and g-FleeT Management. It comes as the country observes October Transport Month (OTM). The campaign showcases achievements and focuses on strides made to improve road networks and transport infrastructure, including rail services, facilitating ease of movement of goods and people, stimulating economic activity and participation.
 
It is held under the theme 'Embracing the New Urban Era through Smarter Mobility'. SMA, now in its sixth year, brings together industry experts from across the world, gather policy makers and cities from across Africa. It provides a platform for innovators to showcase their solutions and ideas to organisations searching for mobility solutions. This year’s summit places focus on green fleets, expanding public transport, rail, active mobility and universal access and mobility investment project pitches. Speaking at the sidelines, Minister Creecy highlighted the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technological advancements to help improve safety within the transport industry in the country.
 
The summit further focuses on mobility being a key enabler of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and wider 2030 visions and goals across the continent. It also serves to drive messages that reinforce integrated smarter mobility as important for growing economies, protecting the environment, improving public health and creating much needed job opportunities.
 
Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Ms Kedibone Diale-Tlabela talked to the urgency of the transition to clean energy. “The transition to cleaner, low-emission technologies, such as electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, is no longer a distant dream; it is an urgent priority”. She added that “air pollution from vehicles remains a leading cause of environmental degradation and public health challenges. Thus, the move towards clean mobility solutions is not only a technological necessity but a moral imperative”.
 
Amongst the key highlights of the summit were sessions/stages on green fleets (a 'How To Guide' for Fleet Managers going electric), expanding public transport (strategies for improving public transport networks, accessibility, and affordability), rail (its role in embracing the new urban era, high speed rail, industry demand, and manufacturing), Gauteng Mobility Investment Projects (access to the Gauteng Provinces latest mobility projects) as well as other topics of interest. 
 
A new era of mobility is emerging.