Dive into the future of African transport
THEME: Empowering Africa’s Transport Workforce: Driving Innovation, Health, and Sustainable Development
Conference Details
Venue
Date
Transport Innovation & DevelopmentTransforming transport systems, empowering workers, and connecting industry stakeholders across Africa
The African Transport Conference 2025, themed “Empowering Africa’s Transport Workforce: Driving Innovation, Health, and Sustainable Development”, will take place from November 10–12, 2025 in Lagos, Nigeria. This landmark event is organized by a consortium of institutions led by Foresight Institute of Research and Translation, Rwanda, in collaboration with Yaba College of Technology, Lagos State University (School of Transport and Logistics), Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Mashood Abiola Polytechnic, M-Solution Consult International, Expanse Resources Consulting Ltd, and other key institutions.
With a unique focus on the workforce, the conference brings together transport workers, unions, academics, policymakers, industry experts, and service providers to drive innovation and sustainable development in the transport sector. The conference is grounded in the belief that workforce-centered reforms, when developed collaboratively across sectors, can catalyze long-term transformation in transport systems across Africa.
Nigeria will serve as the pilot model for Africa-wide implementation, leveraging its diverse and dynamic transport ecosystem. Special emphasis will be placed on union engagement, mental and family well-being of workers, technical training, and practical innovations that respond to frontline challenges.
The African Transport Conference 2025, themed “Empowering Africa’s Transport Workforce: Driving Innovation, Health, and Sustainable Development”, will take place from November 10–12, 2025 in Lagos, Nigeria. This landmark event is organized by a consortium of institutions led by Foresight Institute of Research and Translation, Rwanda, in collaboration with Yaba College of Technology, Lagos State University (School of Transport and Logistics), Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Mashood Abiola Polytechnic, M-Solution Consult International, Expanse Resources Consulting Ltd, and other key institutions.
With a unique focus on the workforce, the conference brings together transport workers, unions, academics, policymakers, industry experts, and service providers to drive innovation and sustainable development in the transport sector. The conference is grounded in the belief that workforce-centered reforms, when developed collaboratively across sectors, can catalyze long-term transformation in transport systems across Africa.
Nigeria will serve as the pilot model for Africa-wide implementation, leveraging its diverse and dynamic transport ecosystem. Special emphasis will be placed on union engagement, mental and family well-being of workers, technical training, and practical innovations that respond to frontline challenges.
Conference Objectives
Empower Workforce
Multi-sector Partnerships
Policy Insights
Industry Showcase
Mental Health and Well-being
Collaborative Framework
Unleashing potential in Africa's transport sector
Building sustainable, worker-centered transport systems through collaboration, innovation, and evidence-based policy development across Nigeria and Africa.
Conference Days
Join us for three transformative days focusing on transport worker empowerment, industry innovation, and sustainable development.
Five-Year Vision: 2025–2030
This conference is only the beginning. Through INSTANTA, we are set to:
- Certify 50,000+ workers through continuing education
- Reduce maintenance costs with localized spare parts production
- Scale model workshops and welfare programs across four African regions
- Launch an African Transport Workforce Institute for policy, research, and training
- Nigeria leads the pilot phase—Africa leads the transformation
Conference Tracks:
- Worker Empowerment
- Research & Development
- Mechanic Training & Support
- Goods Fair
- Counseling Sessions
8:00-9:00 AM | Registration & Networking Breakfast
MAPOLY hosts vocational skills demo booth
9:00-10:30 AM | Opening Ceremony
FIRAT, LASU, YCT, FPI, Transport Union Leaders
YCT presents tech innovations | Trade fair declared open
10:30-11:30 AM | Keynote: Transforming Africa’s Transport Sector
AU Transport Representative + Union Presidents Panel
11:30-12:30 PM | Panel: Cross-Union Challenges
NURTW, ACOMORAN, MWUN, NUATE leaders
FPI moderates rural workforce discussion
12:30-1:30 PM | Lunch & Goods Fair Preview
All institutions showcase solutions
1:30-3:00 PM | Workers’ Parliament
500+ union members from all sectors
LASU records inputs for policy drafting
3:00-5:00 PM | Parallel Sessions:
Track 1: Urban Transport (YCT) – Car/Danfo/Keke operators
Track 2: Maritime/Aviation (YCT/LASU) – MWUN, NUATE members
Track 3: Rural Solutions (FPI/MAPOLY) – TOAN, ACOMORAN reps
Track 4: Business Networking – SMEs, Industries, Lagos Chamber of Commerce
5:00-6:00 PM | Networking Reception
- An unprecedented town hall where transport workers from across Nigeria and Africa present their lived realities directly to stakeholders, government, and industry leaders.
- Real stories, real challenges, real impact
- Keynote: “From Pilots to Policy: A Workforce-Centered Vision for Africa”
8:00-9:00 AM | Networking Breakfast
9:00-10:30 AM | Plenary: Sector Innovations
Bosch, Dangote, YCT presentations
10:30 AM-12:00 PM | Wellbeing Workshops (MSCI/FPI)
Mental health, family counseling for all union members
12:00-1:30 PM | Lunch & Goods Fair
YCT showcases fabrication tools
1:30-3:00 PM | Sector Labs:
Lab 1: Road Transport (YCT/FPI/NURTW) – Spare parts localization
Lab 2: Maritime (LASU/MWUN) – Dock safety policies
Lab 3: Aviation (YCT/NUATE) – Technical training solutions
Lab 4: Rural Mobility (MAPOLY/TOAN) – Rural repair kit testing
3:00-5:00 PM | Goods Fair & Networking
All institutions sign MOUs
5:00-6:00 PM | Roundtable: Inter-Sector Synergies
- Participatory innovation sessions led by top institutions:
- Affordable maintenance and diagnostic technologies (YabaTech, LASU,MAPOLY)
- Mental health, family well-being & financial literacy support (MSCI, NGOs)
- Professional development workshops (FPI)
- SME & supply chain solutions for local economies (Expanse Resources)
8:00-9:00 AM | Networking Breakfast
9:00-10:30 AM | Panel: Scaling Sector Solutions
Governors, government officials, FIRAT, Union Leaders
10:30 AM-12:00 PM | Policy Synthesis
LASU presents policy drafts | FPI presents CPE benchmarks
12:00-1:00 PM | Lunch
1:00-2:30 PM | Action Planning Groups:
Group 1: Urban (YCT) – Tech adoption strategies
Group 2: Maritime/Air (LASU) – Policy development
Group 3: Rural (MAPOLY/FPI) – Funding strategies
2:30-3:30 PM | Consortium Compact Signing
FIRAT, Unions, State Governments, All Institutions
3:30-4:30 PM | Press Conference
- All stakeholders sign the 5-Year Partnership Charter that will drive the INSTANTA model from Nigeria to the rest of Africa.
- Launch of pilot initiatives (e.g., Model Mechanic Workshops)
- Presentation of draft worker-centric policy proposals
Delivering transformative solutions for Africa's transport workforce
Follow progress wherever it leads
Expected Outcomes by 2030
01. Workforce Impact
50,000+ transport workers certified in Continuing Professional Education
50% improvement in member welfare through health services access
02. Economic Impact
30% reduction in vehicle maintenance costs through localized spare parts
Formalized spare parts markets increasing productivity
03. Policy Influence
Adoption of worker-centric policies at state and federal levels
Alignment with global standards addressing local realities
Registration Options
Conference participation for transport workers, industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers
Standard Registration
Includes all sessions, networking events, and conference materials.
VIP Industry Package
Premium access including Goods Fair exhibition space and exclusive networking.
Register Now
Live streaming access to keynote sessions and digital resources.
