It's the greatest prize of the 21st century for any African city.
African cities face significant challenges today and in the coming decades due to rapid population growth and large-scale industrialisation. Many people lack access to safe, reliable, and affordable mobility, impacting how we move people and goods.
This situation has clear negative consequences for economic development, public health, job opportunities, and the environment. We refer to this as the 'Old Urban Era.' The human, environmental, and economic impacts of this era are profound, fuelling our passion to help cities across Africa transition to the 'New Urban Era' through smarter mobility solutions.
We are dedicated to uniting every element of the mobility industry to tackle these challenges head-on, creating an environment where social, environmental, and economic opportunities are exponentially amplified.
We’re passionate about improving how people and goods move. Our global team and advisory board have witnessed the extremes of mobility in Africa and around the world, seeing firsthand how outdated mobility systems of the 'Old Urban Era' can hinder freedoms while innovative solutions of the 'New Urban Era' can empower them.
We are committed to embracing the New Urban Era, where people, economies, and environments can achieve their full potential. By integrating every element of the mobility industry from public transport and urban logistics to automotive and active mobility we ensure that mobility serves the people, the economy, and the environment effectively. This holistic approach is key to transitioning from the 'Old Urban Era' to the 'New Urban Era,' where opportunities are exponentially amplified.
Experience Africa's most influential mobility conference & exhibition
The African mobility challenge is enormous, but through collaboration and innovation, we can make a difference. Already we are seeing change, and with your help tomorrow’s future can be bright.
Car Ownership
Car ownership rates in Africa are relatively low, with only 44 cars per 1,000 people, compared to 553 cars per 1,000 people in North America. The number of cars on African roads is expected to double by 2040, which creates many opportunities, however could also exacerbate congestion, emissions, air pollution, and road fatalities
Informal Transport
In many African cities, informal transport systems like minibus taxis, boda bodas, and matatus play a significant role in providing mobility for citizens. However, these systems are often unregulated, unsafe, and not fully integrated, with high accident rates and poor working conditions for drivers.
INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT
Inadequate infrastructure and a lack of funding funding is holding back the full integration of smarter mobility solutions. Annually, there is a funding gap of up to $100 billion for infrastructural development in Africa.
Public Transport
According to the World Bank, public transport accounts for more than 80% of all trips in urban areas in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the quality and reliability of public transport systems vary widely across the continent, with many cities lacking formal transit systems.
Mobility Solutions
A number of mobility solutions are becoming commonplace in Africa, such as ride-hailing services and bike-sharing programs in cities like Lagos and Cape Town. Additionally, several African countries are investing in public transport infrastructure, such as light rail systems and bus rapid transit.
Electric Vehicles
Electric Vehicles (big & small) are becoming more popular in Africa, largely due to their cost saving advantages for businesses and homes, and integration with the electricity grid. These vehicles are lower cost to operate and maintain than traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, which could help to reduce the overall cost of mobility.
Bike-sharing & battery swapping
Bike-sharing & battery swapping schemes are popping up in cities across Africa, providing an affordable, healthy, and eco-friendly way to get around and move goods. These schemes are particularly popular in countries like Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya, and South Africa.
Smart Public Transport
Some African cities are investing in Smart Public Transport systems that use technology to improve the efficiency and reliability of buses and trains. For example, in Lagos, Nigeria, the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system uses technology to optimise routes and reduce wait times.
Ben Pullen
Group Director of Mobility
VUKA Group
The mobility industry is changing at a rapid speed, which is creating new opportunities for both existing and new businesses.
We believe in a smarter mobility Africa for all (hence our social handles of #smaforall) which leaves no one behind.
For all areas of the vast mobility industry, we welcome you all and give you the ability to take advantage of all of the opportunities that the New Urban Era has to offer.
Let’s win the greatest prize of the 21st century together, the New Urban Era.
Enhance your career and business opportunities and maintain professional standards in the fast-paced mobility industry with Smarter Mobility Africa's mix of activities.
The whole mobility industry plays a vital role in Africa realising its 2030 visions - from public transport and rail to automotive and micromobility - it is the participation and integration of all these elements that will ensure mobility truly serves the people, the economy, and the environment.
The Opening Ceremony stages present insights and visions from Africa’s leaders who are responsible for improving how we move people and goods to embrace the new urban era.
Join us for the Smarter Mobility Africa Networking Function an energising evening designed to foster new partnerships, strengthen existing connections, and bring the mobility community together in a relaxed, informal setting.
This function offers the ideal space to exchange ideas, connect with industry leaders, and build relationships that last beyond the summit. Unwind after a full day of learning and collaboration while expanding your network in an inspiring environment.
Focus Themes:
Expanding Transport Networks | Electrifying Public Fleets | Integrating Digital Solutions | Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
The ‘Advancing Public Transport’ co-located event at the SMA Summit will explore the urgent need to modernise and grow Africa’s public mobility systems.
Why this matters:
Africa needs an estimated $30 billion investment to improve transport infrastructure across cities like Dakar, Nairobi, and Johannesburg. Showcasing projects like the Tanzania Standard Gauge Railway and Senegal’s Regional Express Train, the event demonstrates how transport drives regional connectivity and trade.
What we’ll cover:
Expanding Transport Networks:
Electrifying Public Fleets:
Integrating Digital Solutions:
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs):
Focus Themes:
Scaling Charging Infrastructure | Fleet Electrification Business Models | Energy Storage and Grid Resilience | Policy and Incentives
The ‘NEV and Infrastructure’ co-located event will tackle the core challenges and opportunities around scaling New Energy Vehicles in Africa.
Why this matters:
Africa faces a $3.5–8.9 billion financing gap to meet EV targets for two-wheelers by 2030.
While countries like Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Kenya lead the way, infrastructure and regulatory barriers remain.
What we’ll cover:
Scaling Charging Infrastructure:
Fleet Electrification Business Models:
Energy Storage and Grid Resilience:
Policy and Incentives:
At Smarter Mobility Africa summit, we will bring attention to gender disparities whilst giving women the power to lead change in mobility. The Women in Mobility Breakfast will ensure no woman stands alone against inequality, safety and lack of access.It will also foster networking opportunities, knowledge exchange, and mentorship amongst women professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders in various sectors of the mobility industry. It’s all about Women in Mobility – Leading the Way to enhance opportunities for younger women who aspire to build a career in the futuristic and dynamic mobility sector.
Launched at SMA summit 2024, this NEW initiative is to support innovative mobility projects across Africa. Our goal is to improve access, safety, affordability, and sustainability of mobility in Africa by embracing the new urban era through smarter mobility funding.
Showcasing smarter mobility initiatives seeking support and funding is a key pillar of Smarter Mobility Africa, strongly driven by a passion for improving how we move people and goods to embrace the new urban era. Through live project pitches, showcases and digital listings, we are able to connect projects to a network of global and local investors 365 days a year
The SMA Summit offers two tailored workshops and training sessions taking place on the 30th September, that you can choose from to enhance your knowledge and skills.
This flexibility allows you to focus on the areas most relevant to your professional needs.
Attending a workshop at the SMA Summit offers a multitude of benefits for professionals in the mobility sector:
CEO HLD Sunrise as fuelled by Standard Bank
At Smarter Mobility Africa, the CEO High-Level Dialogue is a structured space where senior peers face what matters most. When the right people meet the right question in the right conditions, progress becomes possible. We convene a curated cohort of CEOs and leaders around a burning question already live in their world.
The Dialogue is designed for candour and depth, anchored by clear protocols: confidentiality, no solicitation, no media, high peer regard, and voluntary engagement, forming a high-trust room. Skilled moderation keeps the group in the work, not around it. Each Dialogue moves from challenge to clarity, and from clarity to co-ordinated action, building momentum for the New Urban Era. Participants leave with clarity on what matters most, what is possible now, and what is missing; connections to peers, unlikely allies, and trust-rich networks; and commitment to meaningful action shaped by shared responsibility. Roles remain clear and content independence safeguarded.
Smarter Mobility Africa summit's programme is developed in close collaboration with its Advisory Board, a group of dedicated and diverse experts, intimately involved in the most critical areas of building an integrated smarter mobility Africa.
Representatives from transport operators, funders, urban planners, regulators, startups, and other industry, government, and academic stakeholders take part in this group, bringing their visions and day-to-day experiences to the discussion before, during and post the live event.
Ben Pullen
Group Director of Mobility
Ben lives and breathes smart mobility and is passionate to play his part in building a better world for the future. He has enjoyed running projects across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa over the last 10 years.
Olivia Modisakeng
Event Manager
Olivia is an experienced event manager with a passion for bringing people together to drive meaningful conversations and change. With a love for creating impactful experiences, she thrives on delivering events that inspire action.
Timothy Adrigwe
Marketing Specialist
Timothy Adrigwe is a Marketing Specialist at VUKA Group, driving campaigns across sustainable mobility and smart transport. With experience in digital strategy, events, and stakeholder engagement, he delivers impactful results.
David Sazfir
Business Development Manager
With experience in logistics & sales, David is driving forward an integrated and smarter mobility Africa. He's committed to understanding the market trends and clients needs to ensure they can scale their solutions across Africa.
Sindi Buthelezi
Delegate Sales Manager
Experienced in fostering and nurturing connections within the events management industry. I'm passionate about my role, as it enables me to convene prominent industry figures, policymakers, and thought leaders for meaningful dialogues.
Prudence Chishimba
Delegate Sales Executive
A proactive and results-oriented Delegate Sales Executive with a proven track record of driving revenue through strategic client engagement and effective sales techniques.
Rue Limekhaya
Registration Manager
With over 20 years of experience, Rue ensures a smooth and enjoyable experience for visitors and delegates both online and on-site. Believing first impressions matter, she always puts the customer first.
Chanelle Benjamin
Exhibition Management Director
Having delivered a full scope of African projects over 13 years demonstrating a proven ability to manage all aspects of event planning; from conception to execution, while ensuring that events are aligned with our brand.
Warda Jakoet
Customer Experience
A passionate leader with a determined focus to ensure that the touchpoints across the client’s journey are engaging, efficient and effective. Attention to customer experience has led to Enlit Africa consistently scoring a high NPS score from attendees.
How VUKA Group has helped businesses access new mobility opportunities in Africa
Objective:
Huawei’s participation and attendance at SMA summit was primarily for exploration purposes, to assess interest and anticipation ahead of their product launch.
Solution:
By means of securing a platinum sponsorship, which included exhibition space, allowed Huawei Digital Power to showcase, for the first time, its FusionCharge Liquid-Cooled Distributed DC Charging Solution. In collaboration with the Smarter Mobility Africa team, we formulated a comprehensive package that included brand promotion, product placement, thought leadership positioning, communication and media through ESI Africa physical and digital publication. The Smarter Mobility Africa team ensures a seamless end-to-end process, guaranteeing that individuals are connected appropriately and engaged in meaningful conversations. This proved highly fruitful as it enabled us to foster engagement with essential industry stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.
Results:
Considering the experimental nature of our experience and our aim to gather feedback, the favourable response we received from the event signals a clear and genuine interest and enthusiasm. As a result, we are now confident about the potential for the official rollout in the future.
Fill in the form below to secure your attendance in 2025
Smarter Mobility Africa summit, the annual gathering that inspires and connects visionary mobility solution providers, thought leaders, key buyers and decision makers from business and government to make mobility smarter and more connected in Africa.
Exhibit or Sponsor Smarter Mobility Africa Attend Smarter Mobility Africa
For other enquiries contact:
T: +27 21 700 3500
+27 21 700 3512
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