The 43rd Annual Southern African Transport Conference opened its doors today, drawing participation from 27 countries, including stakeholders and experts aimed at confronting mobility challenges facing Southern Africa. The pivotal event comes as the region grapples with the imperative need to modernize its transportation systems, with discussions anchored on innovation and technology adoption. In a lively exchange, Mathese Mokonyama, the chairman of the Southern African Transport Conference, outlined the key themes and insights emerging from this critical gathering. The conference delved into varied transportation modes—land, water, and air—with a central theme of utilizing innovation to leapfrog developmental challenges. “We use case studies to learn from those who have done it, highlighting the good, bad, and ugly, learning what can be scaled where necessary,” Mokonyama elaborated, underscoring the importance of harnessing existing knowledge to stimulate growth. This year's assembly was particularly notable for its emphasis on practical knowledge sharing through master classes. A significant session focused on integrating electric mobility within public transport systems, shedding light on the do's and don'ts of adopting such transformative technologies. In Mokonyama's words, "Innovation and technology lie at the heart of the solution," emphasizing that stakeholders are pressing forward with understanding and implementing these modern solutions despite inherent challenges. Transport infrastructure remains a central concern within the region, with critical issues highlighted concerning freight productivity. The Minister of Transport, in a striking demonstration of accountability, set bold targets for the upcoming four years, advocating for rigorous improvements and urging peers, "Hold me accountable." Yet, even these ambitious directives were described as insufficient, indicating that South Africa still needs to embrace technology robustly to meet global competitiveness. Technological incorporation was also stressed as a tool to address safety concerns across various transport sectors. Whether mitigating road fatalities or enhancing maritime operations, technology was underscored as indispensable. Moreover, there's an emerging discourse on using drone technology in aviation and how regulatory frameworks might evolve sustainably to incorporate such advancements. The conference also provided a platform for significant partnerships, notably between the African Union and the European Union, underscoring collaborative opportunities for businesses involved in infrastructure and system solutions within the transport sector. As public-private partnership emerges as a much-needed pathway for sector evolution, clarity and commitment from governmental institutions were emphasized as necessary pillars to galvanize private sector investment. Private sector players voiced a call for ‘policy certainty,’ a recurring theme throughout the discussions. Mokonyama reflected on their stance, noting, “What you say is what you do. Private sectors invest using their own capital, and if commitments aren’t met, resources go wasted.” Thus, leadership was urged to act with certainty and deliberate intent. Moreover, a pivotal discussion point was on integrating technology into structural frameworks, like border posts, which often impede logistical operations. Mokonyama identified this as crucial for freeing up valuable assets for more productive deployment. Southern Africa finds itself at a crucial juncture, where coordinated efforts and innovative partnerships could set a transformative path. This year’s conference pushed forward dialogues that encouraged realigning strategies with modern technological imperatives, aiming to harness the same innovations that other markets globally have adopted. In conclusion, as Mokonyama encapsulated, “There is a whole range of solutions available. However, we need institutions matured enough to say, 'This is what we have committed to, and this is what we will do.'” The 43rd Southern African Transport Conference stands as a testament to the collaborative spirit required to place Southern Africa on the path to transportation prosperity.