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Cotonou, Benin, March 26, 2025 - The Africa Transport Policy Program (SSATP) has officially opened its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Cotonou, Benin. Hosted by Benin's Ministry of Living Environment and Transport, in charge of Sustainable Development (MCVT), the four-day event brought together over 250 participants - including nine transport ministers, senior officials from regional and continental institutions, development partners and transport experts - from across Africa and beyond.

A strategic gathering at the mid-point of the SSATP development plan

The SSATP Annual General Meeting takes place at a key moment corresponding to the mid-term review of SSATP's fourth development plan (DP4, 2022-2026). Held from March 24 to 27, the Annual General Meeting kicked off with two days of technical sessions focusing on knowledge sharing and peer learning. The official opening ceremony was presided over by José Tonato, Benin's Minister for the Environment and Transport, in charge of Sustainable Development. The AGM also celebrated the admission of Somalia as the 43rd African member of the SSATP partnership.

Created in 1987 and managed by the World Bank, SSATP is a long-standing partnership between African countries, regional economic communities, development institutions and donor partners dedicated to improving transport policies and building institutional capacity. Its current development plan, DP4 (2022-2026), supports countries in advancing sustainable and inclusive transport systems through four thematic priorities: regional connectivity and economic integration, sustainable urban mobility and accessibility, road safety and resilient road asset management.

Meeting the continent's most pressing transport challenges

The AGM is SSATP's main platform for high-level policy dialogue and strategic collaboration. With DP4 now at its halfway point, the assembly is an opportunity to assess progress, draw lessons and recalibrate priorities in the light of new transport challenges and continental objectives.

Inefficient transport continues to hold back Africa's development. Costs remain significantly higher than in other regions, urban mobility systems are under pressure from rapid population growth, and the continent suffers from the highest road mortality rate in the world. These challenges are estimated to cost African economies up to five percent of GDP per year. Against this backdrop, the AGM is a timely and crucial opportunity for African countries to forge collective solutions that are sustainable, resilient and aligned with broader development and climate goals.

Official launch of the "resilient road asset management" pillar

One of the highlights of this year's meeting was the official launch of the program's fourth thematic pillar, Resilient Road Asset Management (RRAM). With an estimated 40% of Africa's road network in poor condition, this new pillar focuses on strengthening institutions, integrating climate resilience into road planning and adopting data-driven digital tools to improve the sustainability of road infrastructure. The RRAM pillar joins SSATP's existing pillars on regional integration, urban mobility and road safety.

"By integrating RRAM into its priorities, SSATP will provide support to strengthen road asset management institutions, integrate climate resilience and adopt innovative tools and practices to improve the resilience and sustainability of road networks and transport systems in Africa," said Mustapha Benmaamar, SSATP program manager.

Benin's leading role in transport policy

As host of the AGM 2025, Benin will play a leading role within SSATP. The Ministère du Cadre de vie et des Transports, in charge of sustainable development, will be invited to join the SSATP Executive Committee as a representative of African member countries, enabling Benin to influence the program's strategic direction.

"Benin is honored to host the SSATP Annual General Meeting at a crucial time for the transport sector in Africa," said Minister José Tonato. "This gathering comes at a pivotal moment for the continent, as countries strive to accelerate regional integration, modernize transport systems, and address the urgent challenges of climate change, road safety, and urbanization. Benin stands ready to do its part to address Africa's transport sector challenges through flagship projects such as the Abidjan-Lagos Transport Corridor and the Grand Nokoué Sustainable Urban Mobility Project, reinforcing its commitment to regional integration and climate-friendly infrastructure."

Contacts :

Ms Arielle Akouete Accrombessi

Director for the Promotion of Eco-Citizenship, MCVT

ahakouete@gouv.bj

Ms Kaori Niina

External Affairs Officer, SSATP

kniina@worldbank.org