In April 2023, the AfroSAFE consortium met in Tanzania. We met local stakeholders, familiarised ourselves with the local context and explored ideas for pilot case studies, as well as engaged in capacity building for improving road safety in the country.
Close work with local stakeholders is key to the work of AfroSAFE, and to fostering the improvement of road safety in partner countries more generally. This is why various forms of engagement with local actors has been key to the time in Tanzania.
AfroSAFE’s meeting started with an opening event with local stakeholders. Aliaksei Laureshyn kicked it off by introducing the project to a varied audience, which included government officials, non-governmental organisations, and academics, as well as the media. The meeting was attended by the Swedish Ambassador to Tanzania and a representative of the European Commission based in Tanzania, among others.
Getting to know the context
The visit to Tanzania enriched both practical and conceptual understanding of road safety in this country. To get to know the context, interviews, meetings, and discussions with local stakeholders were organised. Meetings with several key actors in the field of road safety management provided insights on the road safety management and potentials to align it with the Safe System principles.
The AfroSAFE team talked with different actors, such as NGOs working with issues related to road safety, organisations involved in driver training, the police and other state authorities. For example, as part of the work on Infrastructure safety, the AfroSAFE team had a meeting with high-level officers at TANROAD, the Tanzanian road Authority, and discussed the review on the Road Infrastructure Safety Management tools in Tanzania that is currently under preparation. Another team visited the Tanzania Bureau of Standards, to discuss import regulations for used vehicles, as well as the technical inspection test center for imported vehicles.
These contacts will provide valuable information and perspectives for the rest of the project. The team has also obtained a vast experience with the road traffic scene on the Tanzanian roads, based on several hours spent in traffic on different types of roads – an experience which is crucial for understanding road safety and challenges in Tanzania.
Ideas for pilot studies
The meetings and visits that took place in Tanzania have given many ideas on the future pilot studies as part of the project. One potential pilot study would be to construct a bicycle track for demonstration purposes in Tanzania. It came up at the already mentioned meeting with TANROADS officers, whose leadership would be essential to bring such a pilot to fruition.
Observing daily routines in relation to transport has also given ideas of a pilot study. For example, members of the AfroSAFE team visited a local public school, where they had a chance to talk to its students, and also walk them to the local bus stops. This potential pilot also got interest from an NGO that the team is in conversation with. A state-run driving school (VETA) is another candidate for a pilot, after talking to their head and driver trainers.
Capacity building
One key outcome of AfroSAFE’s work would be the Centre for Excellence on Road Safety, which will serve as a platform for academics for interpersonal networking, exchange of knowledge and educational materials. This network of academics will identify the research needs and set the research agenda for the African countries.
As part of these efforts, the AfroSAFE team also organised a workshop focused on capacity building at the university of Dar es Salaam. Local academics, researchers and professionals were invited. Following a co-creation and brainstorming session, the purpose of the AfroSAFE centre of excellence and the gaps it needs to fill were collectively defined. Synergies, complementarities and collaborations with existing initiatives and programmes were also discussed. This workshop sets a solid foundation for further development of the Centre for Excellence on Road Safety.
As part of these efforts, the AfroSAFE team also organised a workshop focused on capacity building at the university of Dar es Salaam. Local academics, researchers and professionals were invited. Following a co-creation and brainstorming session, the purpose of the AfroSAFE centre of excellence and the gaps it needs to fill were collectively defined. Synergies, complementarities and collaborations with existing initiatives and programmes were also discussed. This workshop sets a solid foundation for further development of the Centre for Excellence on Road Safety.
Stay tuned!