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Smarter Mobility Africa to Announce 2026 Host City Partner at CoMotion GLOBAL in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

African Cities to Take Centre Stage at the World’s Leading Mobility Summit This December

Smarter Mobility Africa (SMA) has confirmed a major milestone in its journey to improve how we move people and goods across Africa’s cities: the official announcement of its 2026 Host City Partner will take place at CoMotion GLOBAL, one of the world’s premier gathering for sustainable and connected mobility, held this year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 7–9 December 2025.

This landmark moment will be accompanied by an Africa Mobility Leaders Lunch, hosted in partnership with CoMotion GLOBAL, bringing together ministers, mayors, CEOs, startups, and innovators from across the continent to deepen collaboration, showcase African innovation, and forge new global partnerships. 

“This isn’t just about the future of mobility in Africa – it’s about Africa’s role in shaping the future of global mobility.”  – Ben Pullen, Group Director of Mobility, VUKA Group

“We’re incredibly excited to partner with Smarter Mobility Africa to bring the continent’s top mobility leaders to Riyadh and foster the international partnerships needed to scale solutions.” – John Rossant, CEO, CoMotion GLOBAL

Watch the full interview with John Rossant:

Ben Pullen sits down with John Rossant to explore what makes CoMotion GLOBAL unique – and why Africa’s presence at the event is so important.

Why This Matters 

Africa is undergoing a profound shift in how people and goods move. From electric buses and digital payments to informal transit reform and policy breakthroughs, cities across the continent are piloting new models of sustainable, scalable, and inclusive mobility. 

Smarter Mobility Africa is where those innovations are seen, shared, and supported. 

With more than 3,000 international leaders expected at CoMotion GLOBAL – including OEMs, governments, investors, and tech firms – the SMA <> CoMotion partnership puts African cities and entrepreneurs at the centre of the global mobility conversation. 

This builds on South Africa’s G20 Presidency and the recent U20 dialogues hosted by the City of Tshwane and Johannesburg, highlighting the growing role of African cities in leading urban innovation and transport development. 

What to Expect in Riyadh 

At CoMotion GLOBAL 2025, Smarter Mobility Africa will: 

• Announce its 2026 Host City Partner – the next city to champion Africa’s transport transition.
• Host the Africa Mobility Leaders Lunch – a high-level gathering of ministers, mayors, and CEOs.
• Facilitate global partnerships – connecting African stakeholders with international OEMs, tech firms, financiers, and development partners. 

But First… SMA 2025 in Johannesburg 

Before the big announcement in Riyadh, Smarter Mobility Africa 2025 will take place from 30 September to 2 October in Johannesburg’s Sandton Convention Centre. 

The event features: 

• A high-level Opening Ceremony
• A three-track conference programme
• Innovation exhibition hall
• Mobility Investment Project pitches
• Curated workshops & training
• The Women in Mobility programme

Key Themes for 2025 

• Fleet Electrification – Scaling EVs, buses, and charging infrastructure across cities and fleets 
• Public Transport – Strengthening formal and informal networks with better contracts and smarter funding 
• Mobility Investment Projects – Live pitching of bankable solutions for cities, operators, and financiers 
• Data & Payments – Digitising public transport through real-time insights and cashless payment systems 
• Minibus & Bus Reform – Digitalising and integrating to unlock new mobility business models 
• Women in Mobility Programme – Empowering diverse leadership across Africa’s mobility sector 

Smarter Mobility Africa

30 SEPT: Workshops | 1–2 OCT: SMA Summit (Main Event)  
Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa

View the full SMA 2025 programme 

Read the full press release here  

About the author

Ben Pullen
Group Director of Mobility, VUKA Group 

Ben Pullen

Ben Pullen is a leader in advancing smarter mobility with over a decade of experience in improving how we move people and goods. He has pioneered the continent's top smarter mobility summit, bringing together key stakeholders to drive the adoption of smarter, cleaner, and more accessible mobility solutions. Ben's work has enabled global brands like Alstom, BMW, and Huawei ...