Slicing the Mobility Pie in Africa's Cities

The research wing of the non-profit think tank Future Cape Town has produced an infographic that provides valuable insight into the mobility patterns found in some of Africa's largest cities. Less sustainable options are growing, raising concerns.

1 minute read

June 13, 2013, 8:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


"The majority of cities in Africa depend on public transport, the highest being Kigali and Kampala with approximately 80% and 61% of the population respectively," found the researchers. "However public transport in Africa is dominated by the operations of the informal sector, for example minibus taxis in South Africa and Okadas (motorcycle taxis) in Nigeria. This shows that government funded public transport is not adequate for the populations living in African cities."

"The use of non-motorized transport is the second modal group after public transport." However, the researchers note that, "[t]hese modes of transport are shrinking rapidly, as cities become bigger and harder to manoeuvre through."

"Private motorised transport, though the most unsustainable is growing rapidly in Africa," they conclude. "It is still the least used mode of transport but as incomes rise, car ownership has the potential to increase."

Friday, May 31, 2013 in Future Cape Town

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 30, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

An Airo train driving towards the camera on a track. There is a forest behind it.

Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet

Get ready for that new train smell and more seats. But they won’t go faster or run more frequently on the Cascades route in Washington and Oregon.

September 22, 2026 - Washington State Standard

A rendering of the planned bridge over a large river. The bridge has two main support beams that form diamond shaped arches over the bridge.

Alabama scores up to $2.5 billion federal loan for largest infrastructure project in state’s history

The Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project aims to ease congestion at Alabama’s worst bottleneck.

September 20, 2026 - NBC 15

A birds-eye view of the construction of an apartment.

Novel study finds extreme state-by-state disparity in housing construction timelines

The first comprehensive working paper on U.S. construction timelines also found that the permitting process for multi-family projects has slowed nationwide.

2 hours ago - Vox

A crowd of people play in the sand at a California beach at sunset.

California may destroy its beaches trying to save homes from El Niño

Boulders and seawalls can protect homes from waves, but ultimately destroy sandy beaches.

3 hours ago - Los Angeles Times

Construction for California's high-speed rail line. A concrete bridge stretches over a dirt field.

California high-speed rail accomplishes only one legislative goal in 2026

The majority of the agency's failed pitches were never developed into written proposals.

4 hours ago - Cal Matters

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design