However, as implementation realities set in, the question remains: are these ambitious projects delivering on their promises of efficient, sustainable urban transport?
Success Stories Emerge
Recent developments show promising signs. Egypt’s newly launched BRT system has seen a high turnout from commuters just three days after opening to the public, with many passengers eager to experience the modern electric buses now operating along the Ring Road. The first phase includes 14 stations serving key urban and suburban areas, featuring both ground-level stations and pedestrian underpasses for safe access, demonstrating how proper infrastructure can drive immediate public adoption.
Similarly, Dakar’s BRT system has made significant progress, with 11 million passengers using the service in 2024, indicating strong ridership numbers that suggest genuine demand for quality public transport across African cities.
Implementation Challenges Persist
However, not all BRT projects are progressing smoothly. Mozambique’s experience illustrates the complexities facing many African BRT initiatives. The government has expressed concern about the pace of implementation of the construction works of the BRT infrastructures within the Urban Mobility Project for the Metropolitan Area of Maputo. Despite having a substantial $250 million World Bank funding commitment, the project faces significant delays due to slow fund disbursement and lengthy approval processes.
Minister João Matlombe noted that “the disbursement reached $40 million in April 2025, a figure below the initial forecast,” and regretted “the slowness of the approval processes by the financier, which compromised the launch of the tender for the civil construction of the BRT infrastructure”. This situation highlights how bureaucratic hurdles and financing complications can derail even well-funded projects.
Broader Systemic Concerns
The challenges extend beyond individual projects. The African Urban Institute has criticised the viability of ongoing BRTs across the continent, raising questions about whether these systems are appropriately designed for African urban contexts. Critics point to issues with land use structure and insufficient ridership in sprawled cities as fundamental barriers to BRT success.
Gender inclusion represents another critical area requiring attention. Projects like Nairobi’s BRT are beginning to address these concerns, recognising that successful public transport must serve all segments of the population effectively.
The Road Ahead
Despite these challenges, the Global BRT Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.74% from 2024 to 2032, driven by increasing urbanisation, growing demand for sustainable transportation, and government initiatives. This growth trajectory suggests continued investment and development in BRT systems across Africa.
The mixed results from current projects underscore the need for more adaptive, locally responsive approaches to BRT implementation. Success stories like Egypt and Dakar demonstrate that with proper planning, adequate funding, and political commitment, BRT systems can deliver on their promises. However, experiences in Mozambique and concerns raised by urban planning experts suggest that a one-size-fits-all approach may not work across the diverse urban landscapes of Africa.
As African cities continue to grapple with rapid urbanisation and transportation challenges, the evolution of BRT systems will likely determine whether these investments truly transform urban mobility or become expensive lessons in the complexities of infrastructure development.
References:
Egypt Today. (2025). Huge turnout for BRT bus service after launch of first phase. https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/140552/Huge-turnout-for-BRT-bus-service-after-launch-of-first
Club of Mozambique. (2025). Mozambique: Government concerned about the pace of BRT Bus Rapid Transit, MOVE Maputo project. https://clubofmozambique.com/news/mozambique-government-concerned-about-the-pace-of-brt-bus-rapid-transit-move-maputo-project-283878/
Institute for Transportation and Development Policy. (2025). Gender inclusion in Nairobi BRT. https://itdp.org/2025/04/29/gender-inclusion-in-nairobi-brt-stmagazine-36/
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