Addis Ababa, November 16, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia has called for stronger, collective action to curb traffic-related fatalities and injuries, reaffirming its commitment to implementing reforms that could serve as a reference point for African countries.
Speaking at the Africa Road Safety Day commemoration held at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum in Addis Ababa, Minister of Transport and Logistics Alemu Sime said that reducing road accidents requires shared responsibility among government bodies, private actors, and the public. He stressed that traffic incidents remain a continental concern, but Ethiopia is accelerating initiatives aimed at safer mobility.
Alemu highlighted Ethiopia’s ongoing city corridor development program as an example of infrastructure that enhances both mobility and safety. He said the effort, which integrates pedestrian-, cyclist- and vehicle-friendly road networks, is not only reshaping cities but also contributing to reduced accident risks. The Minister added that Ethiopia has introduced new legal frameworks and has begun targeted interventions to identify and mitigate causes of collisions, with early results showing progress.
African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Lerato Mteboge, praised Ethiopia’s approach, noting that the country’s measures are encouraging and can serve as a model for broader continental efforts. He emphasized, however, that Africa continues to record a high rate of road traffic deaths and must push harder toward meeting the goal of halving road fatalities by 2030.
Jamal Abbaso, CEO of the Road Safety and Insurance Fund Service, underscored the severe human and economic toll traffic accidents impose on Ethiopia. He noted that although the national vehicle count remains relatively low, accident levels are disproportionately high, calling for stronger enforcement, sustained awareness campaigns, and greater community-level engagement.
Africa Road Safety Day was established by an African Union decision in 2012 and is observed annually alongside the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, honoring those who lost their lives while reinforcing the continent’s resolve for safer transport systems.