Smarter Mobility Africa opens with bold vision for Gauteng’s transport future
Smarter Mobility Africa 2025 kicked off in Johannesburg with a clear message: a modern, sustainable transport system will be central to Gauteng’s economic ambitions over the coming decades.
The conference opened at the Sandton Convention Centre with a keynote session on the Access Gauteng 2050 stage, outlining strategies to overhaul the province’s transport network and support long-term growth. Gautrain Management Agency CEO and interim Transport Authority Gauteng head Tshepo Kgobe said improved mobility could drive a 4.5% growth rate, create jobs, and address socio-economic gaps.
Blueprint for sustainable mobility
Kgobe said Gauteng’s economy already outpaces national averages and that modernizing transport infrastructure could help the province play a larger role in national development. “Transport is fundamental to our economic ambitions,” he said. “By enhancing connectivity, Gauteng can achieve a growth rate of 4.5%, driving job creation and tackling our socio-economic challenges.”
Professor Mfanelo Ntsobi, interim board chairperson of TAG, stressed that collaboration between public and private sectors is essential to future-proof the region’s transport network. “Collaboration is vital. Public and private sectors must unite to build a resilient transport system that anticipates future demands,” he said.
Push for digital solutions and public-private partnerships
The keynote highlighted investment in smart infrastructure, electric and hybrid vehicles, and digital solutions to improve efficiency. Kgobe urged stakeholders to explore emerging technologies such as smart grids to create an ecosystem that is both efficient and sustainable. Public-private partnerships were identified as key to funding and executing large-scale projects.
The conference, which runs from October 1 to 2, brings together policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators to discuss the future of mobility in South Africa’s economic hub. Strategic recommendations presented at the session outlined clear steps for adopting sustainable transport solutions across the province.
