Dear colleagues in the MAC “Next Generation Scholars” Community,
We hope to see you at the next MAC Research Forum – specifically for NextGen scholars in mobility and access – where we will focus on:

Towards a Decarbonised Mobility Future?
Exploring the e-mobility landscape in African cities

As the world moves toward cleaner and more eco-friendly fuel alternatives in transport, Africa too is playing its part in transitioning to a decarbonised future.  Electric mobility in Africa has the potential to significantly improve the lives of millions of people while also reducing the environmental impacts of the transportation sector. The task of decarbonizing through electric mobility requires exploring the existing mobility landscape across the continent, contextual approaches to planning, and possible implementation challenges. Thus more research is needed to understand the challenges, operations, opportunities and future of e-mobility. This Research Forum will address these issues by drawing upon work on e-mobility from selected cities in SSA.

Questions will include:

• How can we understand the potential of e-mobility operations in African cities?
• What are the challenges, opportunities, and advantages of transitioning to e-mobility in various African contexts?
• How might in-depth knowledge about e-mobility be applied to improve and advance the transition to a decarbonised transportation sector?

Program

Welcome and introduction: Henrik Nolmark, VREF
Moderators: Robert Ambunda, University of Namibia; Paschalin Basil, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Logistical host: Karin Henriksson, VREF

The MAC NextGen initiative – short orientation and news: Robert Ambunda, Paschalin Basil

Presentations

• “Factors Influencing e-mobility transition among Matatu operators in Nairobi County”
  Presenter: Clare Okidi, Master of science in development studies, University of Nairobi, Kenya
  Discussant: Cabrel Tokam, PhD candidate in transport engineering, Pan African University, Kenya; Transport Specialist, GIZ Kenya

• Knowledge and discernments surrounding adoption of electric vehicles in Uganda: a qualitative inquiry
  Presenter: Nakirijja Judith Flavia, Makerere University Business     School, Uganda
  Discussant: Lushomo Ng’andu, Master of science in geography, University of Zambia 

• Assessment of the feasibility of adopting electric buses in Nairobi’s transport system
  Presenter: Mercy-Edna Manyasi, Assistant lecturer, Egerton University, Kenya
  Discussant: Salma ME Abdelgadir, PhD candidate, University of Pretoria, South Africa

Plenary Discussion

Closing – news from VREF; short survey