Global Trade of Used Vehicles and Motorization Management in Africa

This event was co-hosted by the World Bank and the African Union.

Decarbonizing road transport is one of the most critical challenges of our time. The transport sector contributes about a quarter of energy-related GHG emissions, with over 77% of transport emissions coming from the road sector (cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and other road vehicles).

Over the past two decades, high-income countries have taken important steps to slow the growth of CO2 emissions from road transport. Meanwhile, transport’s carbon footprint in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) is an order of magnitude lower than in high-income countries but is growing extremely fast with the growth of private motor vehicles. Today, there is a widening divide between the quality of motor vehicles in developed and developing economies with important implications for emissions, safety, and health. 

In Africa, most countries rely heavily on importing used or second-hand vehicles from OECD countries.  The fleet of fossil-fueled vehicles is expected to double in less than 15 years, thereby increasing emissions from the road sector.  Regulating the trade of used cars and managing the impacts of motorization on climate change, air pollution, and traffic safety requires both global and national actions.

This event provided an opportunity to discuss how African countries can manage motorization, including fuel quality, and regulate the import of used cars, as well as how the international community can support these efforts.