Lusaka Hosts 2026 Traffic Safety Course to Strengthen Road Safety Systems Across Africa

By Alain Kabinda 

*LUSAKA, Zambia*– Afro Safe Academy in partnership with the Zambia Road Safety Trust ( ZRST), is hosting the 2026 Traffic Safety Course in Lusaka under the theme, "Building Sustainable Road Safety Systems for Africa: From Data to Implementation and Ownership."

The specialized training programme has brought together traffic safety researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and road safety advocates from across Africa and beyond to explore innovative approaches to reducing road crashes and improving road safety outcomes on the continent.

The course is designed primarily for professionals who already possess some background in traffic safety but seek to enhance their knowledge through exposure to contemporary theories, emerging trends, and advanced analytical tools used in road safety management.

The programme aims to bridge the gap between research and practical implementation by equipping participants with evidence-based approaches that can be applied in their respective countries and institutions.

A key objective of the course is to provide participants with a comprehensive overview of the fundamental theories and concepts underpinning modern traffic safety systems. Discussions are expected to focus on critical issues affecting road safety practice, including data collection and analysis, policy development, infrastructure safety, behavioural interventions, enforcement strategies, and sustainable implementation frameworks.

Speaking during the opening of the course, Zambia Road Safety Trust Secretary General, Paul Mwanza, said the gathering reflects a growing commitment among stakeholders to build safer roads and improve mobility for all road users.

Mr. Mwanza noted that since 2014, the Zambia Road Safety Trust has collaborated with government institutions, development partners, academia, and communities to implement evidence-based interventions that have contributed to road safety improvements in Zambia.

He said the course provides a unique platform for participants to learn from leading international experts, exchange experiences, and explore practical solutions to the road safety challenges affecting African countries.

"Your presence demonstrates our shared commitment to building safer roads and safer mobility for all," Mr. Mwanza said. 

"Over the next two days, participants will have the opportunity to learn from experts, share experiences, and develop practical approaches to addressing road safety challenges." He added.

He encouraged delegates to actively engage in discussions, ask questions, and build professional networks that will help advance road safety initiatives across the continent.

Mr. Mwanza also expressed gratitude to Afro Safe Academy, the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA), sponsors, and cooperating partners for supporting the training programme and making the capacity-building initiative possible.

Mr. Mwanza further emphasized that road safety remains a collective responsibility requiring the involvement of governments, institutions, communities, and individual road users.

The training also serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, enabling researchers and practitioners from different disciplines and regions of the world to share experiences, lessons learned, and best practices in addressing road safety challenges.

By emphasizing the journey "from data to implementation and ownership," the course highlights the importance of transforming road safety evidence into practical actions while fostering local ownership of interventions to ensure long-term sustainability.

Mr. Aliaksei Laureshyn is Associate Professor in traffic Safety Lund University in his presentation stated that Africa continues to bear a disproportionate burden of road traffic injuries and fatalities, making capacity building and cross-border collaboration critical components in efforts to achieve safer roads and sustainable development goals.

Road safety expert and facilitator Mr. Aliaksei Laureshyn has called for increased investment in capacity building and stronger cross-border collaboration to address the growing burden of road traffic injuries and fatalities across Africa.

Speaking during a road safety presentation, Mr. Laureshyn noted that Africa continues to carry a disproportionate share of global road traffic deaths despite having a relatively smaller proportion of the world's vehicles.

He said the alarming trend underscores the urgent need for countries to strengthen road safety systems, improve data collection, and enhance the skills and knowledge of professionals responsible for road safety management.

Mr. Laureshyn emphasized that achieving safer roads requires coordinated efforts among governments, researchers, law enforcement agencies, transport authorities, and development partners.

He explained that capacity building remains a critical component in addressing road crashes, as it equips practitioners with the tools and expertise needed to design, implement, and evaluate effective road safety interventions.

He further stressed the importance of cross-border collaboration, noting that many road safety challenges transcend national boundaries and require regional cooperation to develop sustainable solutions.

He said sharing experiences, research findings, and best practices among African countries can help accelerate progress in reducing road traffic injuries and fatalities.

According to Mr. Laureshyn, strengthening road safety systems is also essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly targets aimed at reducing road traffic deaths and improving public health outcomes.

He urged governments and stakeholders to prioritize evidence-based interventions and invest in long-term strategies that promote safer mobility for all road users.

His remarks come as road safety experts, policymakers, and advocates continue to push for stronger action to reduce the human and economic costs associated with road traffic crashes across the African continent.

The Lusaka gathering is expected to strengthen professional networks among participants and contribute to the development of more effective, data-driven road safety systems capable of saving lives and reducing the social and economic costs associated with road traffic crashes across the continent.