Themed "Africa on the Move -Accelerating Sustainable Transport and Logistics Connectivity," the forum brought together key stakeholders, including policymakers, industry leaders, and experts, to advance critical reforms and solutions aimed at transforming Africa's transport sector.
ATF2024 featured high-level participation from ministers for transport and infrastructure, as well as representatives from road, port, and airport authorities, and heads of international organisations.
The discussions centered on key topics such as enabling greater private sector participation, de-risking policies, smart and integrated infrastructure solutions, and innovative financing mechanisms. Participants also tackled critical issues like road safety, multimodal transport solutions, and urban mobility challenges.
Matar Ceesay, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Transport, Works, and Infrastructure of The Gambia, who was among the attendees, contributed to a panel discussion.
Ceesay during the discussion highlighted that The Gambia, a small and fragile nation in West Africa, has experienced rapid urbanisation and population growth in recent years.
He said this surge has created significant challenges in terms of infrastructure accessibility and adequacy.
“With a population density of around 200 people per square kilometer, The Gambia ranks as one of Africa’s most densely populated countries as approximately 80% of the urban population is concentrated within a 20-kilometer radius, placing immense strain on transportation and drainage systems.”
PS Ceesay also maintained that the country’s low-lying geography increases its vulnerability to natural disasters and the impacts of climate change.
Despite these challenges, he noted that The Gambia has made notable progress in establishing policy frameworks that reflect its dedication to integrating climate resilience into infrastructure projects.
He indicated that policies acknowledge the country’s susceptibility to climate change and aim to mitigate associated risks while fostering sustainable development.
