Electrifying paratransit in sub-Saharan Africa: Perspectives from practitioners

• Perspectives from Global South on potential for electrifying paratransit. • Challenges related to transport formalisation and electrification are similar. • Strategy transfer for EV planning is not always possible within SSA. • Inclusion of all relevant expertise is crucial to successful adoption of EVs. The need for sustainable transport in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) continues to intensify due to continuous growth of urbanisation. Electrifying public transport (PT) is a path to achieving this but the means to enable this in SSA is not clear. This study explores the opportunities for electrifying the prevalent public transport system (paratransit) within the broader transport context in SSA through interviews with experts. Six important thematic areas were identified as “transport structure”, “usage culture”, “economy”, “environment”, “infrastructure”, and “regulations and incentives”. Findings reveal similarities in the challenges associated to transport formalisation and electrification, while emphasising the significance of transport and electrical power dynamics in electrification. Though countries in SSA share similarities in transport and electrical power dynamics, considerable differences exist, necessitating individual research in areas of such considerable differences. This study will be beneficial to planners and policymakers in understanding important areas of PT electrification and strategy transfer within SSA.