EAC seeks joint road safety measures to improve transport, logistics

Arusha. The East African Community (EAC) has intensified regional efforts to improve road safety and reduce fatalities, with experts urging faster implementation of the EAC Road Safety Action Plan (2020–2030).

The call was made during a three-day regional workshop held in Moshi, Tanzania, from March 9 to 11, where road safety specialists from EAC Partner States reviewed progress and proposed measures aimed at curbing the rising number of road crashes across the region.

The meeting brought together transport officials, corridor management institutions, development partners and technical consultants to discuss practical interventions that could strengthen road safety along key regional transport corridors used by commuters, traders and pedestrians.

Participants adopted several recommendations focused on improving crash data management, strengthening enforcement of road safety laws and enhancing cooperation among member states.

The proposals will be submitted to the East African Community Sectoral Council on Transport, Communications and Meteorology for consideration and possible adoption as part of regional policy measures.

Opening the workshop, Head of the Transport Division at the East African Community Secretariat, Mr Godfrey Enzama, said road safety remains a major challenge across Africa.

He noted that the continent accounts for about 13 percent of global road traffic deaths despite having only around two percent of the world’s vehicles.

Road traffic injuries also remain the leading cause of death among people aged between five and 29 years.

The meeting, chaired by Commissioner for Transport Regulation and Safety at Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport, Katushabe Winstone, also reviewed directives issued by regional policy organs, including the 4th Retreat of EAC Heads of State on Infrastructure Development, which emphasised urgent action to address road safety challenges.

Among the key proposals was a call for the East African Community Secretariat to mobilise resources for harmonised guidelines on traffic crash data management in collaboration with the Northern Corridor Transit Transport Coordination Authority and the Central Corridor Transport and Transit Facilitation Agency.

Development partners also highlighted ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening road safety systems.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency presented its pilot road safety project in Tanzania running from April 2025 to February 2028, which focuses on improving crash data systems, strengthening emergency response services and promoting road safety education in schools.

Experts also underscored the growing importance of technology in improving road safety management.

Tools such as geocoded crash data, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning can help authorities identify high-risk road sections and deploy targeted interventions.

Participants further stressed the need for harmonised regional enforcement measures and the establishment of roadside service stations along major corridors to reduce driver fatigue, a factor frequently linked to road accidents.