iRAP was honored to participate in the 3rd AfroSafe Conference, Lusaka, Zambia last week, together with key international and national partners.
A Historic Milestone for Zambia
The conference marked a significant milestone as the first international road safety conference hosted in Zambia. It positioned the country as a regional hub for road safety leadership, knowledge exchange and collaboration, while strengthening partnerships to accelerate the Safe System approach across Africa.
Held at the University of Zambia (UNZA), the AfroSAFE Training (8–9 June 2026) and Conference (10–11 June 2026) brought together researchers, policymakers, practitioners and development partners under the theme: “Building Sustainable Road Safety Systems for Africa: From Data to Implementation and Ownership.”
Opening remarks from UNZA, the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) and the Zambia Road Safety Trust (ZRST) highlighted strong national commitment to improving road safety.
From Evidence to Action: A Rich Technical Programme
Across two days, the conference programme covered a wide spectrum of road safety challenges and solutions and a diversity of case studies—from Ghana and Tanzania to Cameroon and Zambia—highlighted both the shared challenges and the context-specific solutions required across the continent.
iRAP and the Scaling of Evidence-Based Infrastructure Safety
Across the two-day programme, case studies from Ghana, Tanzania, Cameroon and Zambia showcased both shared challenges and context-specific solutions across the continent.
Several sessions highlighted the importance of evidence-based infrastructure assessment. A key contribution was a presentation by Cliff Onyango (Transoft Solutions) on scaling road safety assessments using iRAP methodologies, including findings from an AI-supported pilot study in Kenya.
The Zambia Road Safety Trust (ZRST) also shared progress on their Safe Schools initiative, using iRAP’s Star Rating for Schools (SR4S) tools to support safer school zones in Lusaka.
Nathalie Chiavassa (iRAP Safer Journeys Lead Africa) presented on evidence-based interventions to improve and sustain safer mobility for all road users across Africa.
The Zambia Road Safety Trust (ZRST)
Zambia Road Safety Trust works with government, companies, donors, councils, schools, transport operators and communities to reduce road deaths and injuries through practical road safety programmes.
They help partners move from concern to action: identifying risk, shaping practical projects, delivering work on the ground and reporting what was done.
As part of their work with Safer schools in Zambia, ZRST cooperates with iRAP and AMEND.
Automobile Association of Zambia
As part of her presence in Lusaka, iRAP Safer Journeys for Africa, Nathalie Chiavassa also visited the President of AA Zambia Mr Emmanuel Q. Chileshe and the Chief Executive Mr Alistair Kunda Mwila. The three have had productive discussions on AA Zambia development, their key actions and on strengthening their cooperation.
AA Zambia is a member of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).
The Automobile Association of Zambia (AAZ) primary objective is to promote safe, sustainable travel of personal mobility and motor touring throughout Zambia.
See photos from the event and visit below
