DECARBONIZING TRANSPORTATION IN AFRICA: A REVIEW OF CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES AND POLICY PATHWAYS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Decarbonizing transportation in Africa is crucial for achieving sustainability, yet challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, high costs, and policy fragmentation hinder progress. This review examines the current landscape, emphasizing the need for strategic investments, regulatory reforms, and technological innovation. While electrification and renewable energy integration offer promising pathways, energy poverty, financing limitations, and governance gaps slow adoption. Case studies from South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and Morocco illustrate diverse approaches to reducing emissions, from electric vehicle adoption to alternative fuel expansion. A just transition framework is essential to ensure equitable access to sustainable mobility solutions while mitigating socio-economic disparities. Future policies should prioritize localized manufacturing, cross-border collaboration, and alternative energy sources such as hydrogen and biofuels. Addressing these research gaps and aligning policy with socio-economic realities will be critical in steering Africa’s transportation sector toward a low-carbon future.