African Road Safety Observatory (AfRSO) webinar: TRANS-SAFE project’s insights and tools

21 January 2026, 15:00–16:30 EAT 

The African Road Safety Observatory (AfRSO) was launched in 2018 under the leadership of the African Union Commission (AUC) with support from a range of international partners. Since January 2025, its Secretariat has been strengthened thanks to a grant from the EU in the context of the EU-AUC cooperation on Transport in Africa.

AfRSO aims to strengthen the collection, analysis, and sharing of reliable road safety data across African countries, as well as to support evidence-based policymaking and help governments monitor progress toward the African Road Safety Action Plan and global targets such as the UN Decade of Action. 

One of the tasks of the AfRSO Secretariat is to increase and enhance capacity-building on road safety in Africa. As part of this task, the AfrSO Secretariat has engaged in organising a series of road safety webinars, targeted at road safety experts and practitioners in Africa, covering all pillars of the Safe System approach. The first webinar was already held on 14 July 2025, and many more will be organised in 2025 and the coming years. 

This third webinar provides an opportunity to learn about the insights and tools of the TRANS-SAFE project. The main purpose of the webinar is to share with the audience the practical results of the TRANS-SAFE project, which is now in its final year.

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Program

1. ‘Introduction to Trans-Safe: Transforming road safety in Africa.’  

Oliver Lah/Marc Hasselwander, Technische Universität Berlin, Germany 

This presentation introduces the TRANS-SAFE project, which drives a major transformation in road safety across Africa. Through demonstrations in Ghana, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zambia, it tests innovative solutions and builds local capacity. The project promotes knowledge exchange and sustainable road safety systems. 

2. ‘Trans-Safe Regional Peer Learning Network’  

Mónica Castañeda, EIT Urban Mobility, Spain 

Peer learning and knowledge sharing are central to effective road safety management. To strengthen the professional and institutional capacity of professionals from national and subnational administrations and relevant key stakeholders across Africa, Trans-Safe launched the Trans-Safe Regional Peer Learning Network at the start of the project. This network serves as a dynamic platform where experts can exchange best practices, share knowledge, and collaboratively address road safety challenges in the region. This presentation aims to introduce participants to the network, highlight the key activities and milestones achieved since its launch, and explain how professionals can actively engage with and benefit from the Trans-Safe Peer Learning Network. 

3. ‘Securing Cargo and Load Capacity’ 

Paschalin Basil, University of Nairobi, Kenya 

This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of cargo securement principles and best practices for professional drivers, fleet managers, and logistics personnel. It highlights the importance of proper load securing, reviews international standards, and outlines key techniques and inspection procedures to prevent accidents and damage. Through real-life case studies, it reinforces the human and operational consequences of improper cargo handling. The session concludes with a practical checklist and a call to action—empowering participants to uphold safety and compliance in every trip. 

4. Spatial Analysis of Walking Barriers Among Commuter Groups in Kigali, Rwanda 

Classio Joao Mendiate, University of Rwanda. 

This presentation investigates perceptions of walking barriers among various categories of walk commuters, including individuals with and without impairments, and identifies the geographical areas where these perceptions are most pronounced. Global and local Moran's I statistics were employed to explore the spatial clustering tendencies of walk barrier scores for each commuter category. The study results offer guidance for decision makers to identify where and what barriers affect the walking experience in Kigali, thereby supporting evidence-based interventions. 

Timetable 

Time (EAT)	Agenda Item	Speaker(s)
15:00 – 15:15	Welcome   Introduction to the TRANS-SAFE project	Wouter Van den Berghe, AfRSO Secretariat  Oliver Lah/Marc Hasselwander, TU Berlin, Germany
15:15 – 15:35	Trans-Safe Regional Peer Learning Network	Mónica Castañeda, EIT Urban Mobility, Spain
15:35 – 15:55	Securing Cargo and Load Capacity	Paschalin Basil, University of Nairobi, Kenya
15:55 – 16:15	Spatial Analysis of Walking Barriers Among Commuter Groups in Kigali, Rwanda	Classio Joao Mendiate, University of Rwanda
16:15 - 16:30	Wrap-up and Closing	David Niyonsenga, AfRSO Secretariat Team Leader

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