IRU and UNHCR join forces to raise road safety in key African countries
To reduce road accidents in Cameroon, Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, IRU is providing a comprehensive defensive driver training framework to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The intricate dance of logistics in Dakar
With a fleet of 70 tanker trucks, IRU New Industry Shaper Balai Sakho, the Director General of Senegalese company “Transports Ibrahima Sakho”, is driven by an unwavering commitment to quality and a personal relationship with the sector.
IRU helps Benin overhaul its driver qualification framework
After assessing Benin’s driving licence system and road safety protocols, IRU, the world road transport organisation, has devised a series of recommendations to improve safety and overall traffic efficiency.
IRU charts hope on surmountable road transport challenges with trade unions
IRU’s Secretary General has outlined solutions to key challenges facing the road transport sector at the global road transport trade union conference held in Johannesburg, South Africa. Starting with the Covid-19 pandemic, several crises have struck the road transport industry in recent years, leading to supply chain instabilities and exacerbating other long-standing challenges, such as excessive border queues.
Togo adopts new law developed by IRU and World Bank to modernise transport
The Parliament of Togo has unanimously endorsed a new transport law developed by IRU with the support of the World Bank. IRU, drawing on its global expertise, advised the Togolese government, transport operators and professional organisations on revamping the transport sector and improving its operation. These efforts, which were initiated in 2020 and supported by the World Bank, culminated into a new transport law adopted by the Parliament of Togo.
African states are poised to benefit from harmonised UN tools
African states are taking the necessary steps needed to improve regional trade, but more obstacles remain ahead. IRU and regional actors discussed proven UN solutions to transport and trade challenges facing the continent.
ALSA to roll out IRU RoadMasters in drive for international standards
Leading European bus and coach operator ALSA has decided to rollout the IRU RoadMasters solution across its entire network. The company is deploying the programme in Morocco first; Spain will follow shortly.
IRU spearheads industry reform in Togo
IRU is guiding efforts to formalise and professionalise the road transport industry in Togo through the creation of a national road transport federation.
IRU modernises road transport in Togo
With the support of the World Bank, IRU has delivered the third phase of a five-part road transport reform project in Togo.
IRU pledges to cut the cost and time of trade in Southern Africa
IRU pledges to cut the cost and time of trade in Southern Africa On the sidelines of the World Congress held in Muscat, IRU signed a memorandum of understanding with South Africa’s Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA), to reduce barriers to trade in Southern Africa.
The changing logistics industry: Africa, India and the Middle East
Alagu Balaraman, Partner and Managing Director of Indian Operations at CGN Global, highlights the critical drivers of change in logistics. He warns the industry to stay ahead of the curve so not to lose out on the opportunities.
No more running on empty
No more running on empty How a smart, connected platform assists trade, integration and the environment. CEO of EmptyTrips, Benji Coetzee, talks about how her digital company tackles the issue of empty trucks and wasted journeys on South Africa’s roads. From humble beginnings and with vast ambitions, this first online transport marketplace connecting transporters, brokers and shippers is a game-changer in the logistics and goods transport business.
Bringing road transport up to speed
Bringing road transport up to speed Will Petty, leading IRU’s work to professionalise the road transport sector in Africa, looks at the wide-reaching benefits of safer, more efficient, more sustainable road transport services as a means to drive economies in the right direction.
IRU World Congress regional takeaways: East Africa
IRU World Congress regional takeaways: East Africa In the run-up to the IRU World Congress, we talk to FEAFFA’s John Mathenge and Wanja Kiragu from the East Africa Online Transport Agency, to hear about their expectations for the event and how it might benefit their members and the wider road transport industry of the East African region.
IRU highlights training to improve road safety at African Road Safety event
Increased training, the deployment of new technologies and a coherent regulatory environment are the life-saving elements required to reduce the number of traffic accidents in Africa.
IRU pushes for greater transit efficiency in West and Central Africa region
IRU organised a workshop with the World Customs Organization, Africa Transport Policy Programme (hosted by the World Bank), and the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Organisation, gathering representatives from the public and private sectors in Cotonou, Benin, to discuss efficient and effective transit regimes for the region.
South Africa maps the road to TIR
South Africa maps the road to TIR South African government representatives are meeting with IRU this week to establish a concrete roadmap for implementing TIR to boost the efficiency of international road transport in Southern Africa, and to put in place modern frameworks for regulating access to the regional transport market.
Intermodal connectivity holds key to African trade facilitation
Presenting at African Ports Evolution 2017 in Durban today, IRU highlights the role of internationally harmonised transit systems in offering highly effective tools to boost trade across all transport modes.
New customs sealing regulations hit Zimbabwe trade
The implementation of new regulations on national customs seals in Zimbabwe is causing significant and costly delays at borders, with trucks waiting for up to five days. A multilateral, mutual recognition transit system would avoid the need for restrictive national procedures.
Sudan eyes TIR to spur growth
Meetings in Khartoum put the focus on TIR as a means for Sudan to increase competitiveness as a transit hub, boost exports, generate jobs and expand economic activities.
TIR tipped to spur business growth in Rwanda
A workshop in Rwanda, devoted to the operational aspects of TIR, has highlighted the potential of the system to boost trade facilitation in the region by removing current barriers to the seamless movement of goods across the country’s borders.
Road transport transformation to enable growth for Oman
IRU joins forces with Oman Global Logistics Group (OGLG) to reinforce the country’s potential as a major logistics hub, served by a robust road transport sector.
Save Lives: #SlowDown – IRU endorses UN Global Road Safety Week
Save Lives: #SlowDown” – IRU endorses UN Global Road Safety Week. IRU calls for more training, the use of new technologies and standardised speed limits to address the issue of speed management.
World Bank/IRU Guide on road transport reform at Africa Transport Policy Program annual meeting
The Africa Transport Policy Program (SSATP) annual meeting took place in Marrakesh last week, offering a significant platform for the World Bank/IRU Guide to road transport services reform. IRU’s lead in Africa, William Petty, presented the Guide, reinforcing its utility within the context of SSATP’s mission to promote safe, reliable, and cost-effective transport in Africa.
IRU workshop in Uganda signals new milestone for TIR expansion in Africa
Part of IRU’s wider mission across Africa to support governments and the private sector to reduce the costs of trade and transport, the workshop held in Kampala this week represents the next milestone towards ratification of the TIR Convention by countries including Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia.
TIR is the solution to trade challenges of the Maghreb and sub-Saharan Africa
TIR has been recognised as key to revitalising the Trans-Sahara trade corridor – a flagship project to improve the 9,500 kilometer road network from Algiers to Nigeria via Tunisia, Mali, Niger and Chad – which is intended to stimulate very weak trade between the Maghreb and sub-Saharan Africa. With sponsors including the Islamic Development Bank, the Trans-Sahara Highway project promises to unlock trade potential by improving infrastructure and easing border formalities.
New vision for collective passenger transport in East Africa with launch of regional high level group
A new high-level group of leading East African and international transport stakeholders has launched in Nairobi today. Jointly initiated by UN-Habitat and IRU, the East African Community (EAC) Smart Move high level group will work for a period of one year to devise a roadmap for boosting collective passenger transport in EAC’s cities and on EAC’s roads by 2030. Benefits include better transport services, reduced CO2, more jobs, fewer road deaths and reduced road congestion by up to fifteen percent.