Popular-to-Popular Transport Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Case of Rwanda and Ghana

The Popular-to-Popular Transport Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa project, supported by the Volvo Research and Educational Foundations (VREF), is a collaborative research initiative implemented by the TCC International Centre for Innovation, Manufacturing, Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship (TCC-CIMET) at KNUST, KAF University in Rwanda, and Makerere University (MAK) in Uganda, under the KNUST–KAF–MAK Popular Transport Research Network. The project seeks to deepen understanding and inform policy on the “popular transport” sector  the informal, community-driven systems that form the backbone of mobility for millions of people across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Popular transport systems, including shared taxis, minibuses, motorcycles, tricycles, and other informal modes, account for most daily travel in African cities. Despite their essential role, they remain largely understudied and excluded from formal transport planning. This creates persistent inefficiencies, gaps in service integration, safety and operational challenges, and limited investment in improving the sector. The project therefore aims to address these issues by generating robust evidence, mapping local mobility patterns, and strengthening the collaboration between transport operators, regulators, and commuters.

The initiative focuses on point-to-point transport dynamics in selected communities across Ghana and Rwanda. By examining how people move, where they move from, and the transport systems they rely on, the project will provide new insights into the realities of informal mobility. The research explores system mapping, stakeholder engagement, data collection, and knowledge sharing as key strategies for improving coordination within the sector and designing policies that prioritize people-centered mobility.

As a start to project implementation, the research team embarked on reconnaissance visits to key communities in Sunyani (Danyame and Abetifi Zongo) and Kumasi (Ayigya and Ahomaso). Led by Prof. Alexander Marful, Director of Business Development & Sustainability at TCC-CIMET and Project Lead, the visits were designed to help researchers familiarize themselves with the transport environments and identify strategic locations for deeper study. During the visits, the team engaged local transport union leaders, who expressed strong support for the initiative and shared valuable insights into the daily challenges and opportunities within the transport system. These interactions provided critical context and will guide subsequent data collection and analysis.

Through this work, the project aims to produce a comprehensive mapping of popular transport systems in the study areas and develop evidence-based recommendations for creating more equitable and sustainable mobility policies. It also seeks to foster stronger collaboration between academia, transport unions, commuters, and local authorities, ensuring that mobility solutions reflect the realities and aspirations of the communities they serve.

In the long term, the project aims to influence the evolution of urban mobility in Sub-Saharan Africa by promoting more inclusive, integrated, and data-driven approaches to transport planning. Outcomes are expected to support improved safety, efficiency, and accessibility for commuters while providing a scalable research model that can be applied across other African cities. Through rigorous study and sustained stakeholder engagement, the initiative seeks to elevate popular transport as a vital component of modern, people-centered mobility systems in the region.