In Ethiopian, Rwandan and Zambian cities, the needs of vulnerable non-motorised transport (NMT) groups have not been prioritised in planning policies and practices, and are not systematically invested in. Multiple agencies within the United Nations, and external partners, are collaborating to support these three countries in redesigning their systems of investing, approving and building of road infrastructure to ensure that they are inclusive of the needs of vulnerable NMT users. To complement this larger initiative, this proposed research aims to provide a theoretical framework for understanding NMT needs amongst vulnerable NMT groups in different African cities. Drawing on the capabilities approach, this research project aims to utilise interviews and workshops with vulnerable NMT groups in each of the three countries to form a contextualised needs assessment framework representing a qualitative understanding of their different motivations for travel and the factors that act as barriers and facilitators to their mobility.