Billions of US dollars are invested in road development projects in Africa each year. But unfortunately, despite the existence of important safeguards, roads that do not meet the minimum 3-star standard for safety are still being built. 

Traditionally, the focus of roads engineers in Africa has been on providing for vehicles, despite the fact that only a minority of people own cars. As a result, the design and construction of many roads do not accommodate the vast majority of road users – those who walk, take public minibusses and motorcycle taxis, and perhaps cycle.

With little protection of non-motorized users from motorized vehicles, and often ineffective control of vehicle speeds where pedestrians and vehicles interact, pedestrians in particular find themselves at great risk.

The Safe Schools Africa partnership provides proven-effective, targeted assistance on roads projects in Africa, providing the capacity to focus on safety, developing the capability of officials and engineers, and changing the minds of politicians – all with the aim of creating roads where children can walk safely, thereby also improving their health and well-being and the environment.

The Safe Schools Africa partnership is currently providing assistance on seven development bank financed roads projects, covering a total of approximately 650 kilometers of roads in five countries, and undertaking demonstration projects in five countries.

You may download the full Prospectus on Safe Schools Africa here.