43 senior officials from seven African countries convened in Mombasa this week for an intensive leadership program aimed at driving reforms in road safety across the continent.
The 2025 Road Safety Executive Leadership Course (RSELC) brought together heads of transport agencies, traffic commissioners, legislators, and senior government officials for a week-long engagement on strategies to reduce road crashes, deaths, and injuries.
The training was supported by the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS) and jointly delivered by the Johns Hopkins University International Injury Research Unit (JH-IIRU) and the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP).
Organizers say the program provides a platform for leadership development, knowledge exchange, and strategic planning, with a strong focus on evidence-based policymaking, behavior change, and data-driven solutions.
Welcoming participants at the opening ceremony, Daniel Manyala, Mombasa County Executive Committee Member for Transport and Public Works, said the county was committed to improving road safety outcomes.
“Road safety leadership is critical to saving lives. The dedication shown by these leaders reflects the growing determination across Africa to make our roads safer for everyone,” said CEC Manyala.
Dr. Abdulgafoor Bachani, Director of the Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit, said hosting the course in Mombasa, his hometown, was an opportunity to strengthen local and regional efforts to reduce traffic injuries.
“This program equips senior road safety leaders with the tools to deliver measurable impact. We hope these discussions will inspire lasting partnerships and accelerate progress toward safer, more resilient transport systems,” said Dr. Bachani.
Through BIGRS, Bloomberg Philanthropies continues to work with governments and partners across Africa to implement proven interventions, strengthen data systems, and support policy reforms that enhance road safety. The initiative has contributed to safer, more livable cities by helping countries develop and execute national road safety action plans.
Participants in the Mombasa program pledged to use the lessons from the training to improve coordination among stakeholders, align national efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and enhance leadership at both national and local levels.
The RSELC is part of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ broader investment in building leadership capacity among road safety professionals, empowering them with the skills, vision, and partnerships needed to create lasting change on Africa’s roads.
