Transport Evolution Africa united industry leaders to advance hydrogen innovation, smarter infrastructure, and equitable growth across Africa’s transport systems.
Transport Evolution Africa 2025: A Vision for Green and Inclusive Growth
The Transport Evolution Africa Forum 2025 (site), recently held in Durban, brought together key stakeholders from across the continent to reimagine Africa’s transport future—one that is green, inclusive, and economically transformative. The event positioned itself at the intersection of infrastructure cooperation and sustainability, drawing participants from government, industry, and civil society.
Sandra Barrow, Event Director at dmg events, captured the spirit of the forum, saying:
“Transport Evolution Africa continues to serve as the regional anchor for infrastructure cooperation. This year’s edition built strong momentum for green fuels, smarter border frameworks and inclusive multimodal systems aligned with long-term objectives.”
Hydrogen Innovation as a Catalyst for Decentralized Energy
A standout moment at the forum came from Corrie de Jager, CEO of Hydrox Holdings, who introduced a game-changing advancement in hydrogen electrolysis technology. The breakthrough could reduce hydrogen production costs by over 30%, making localized fuel production viable even in remote areas. “Africa cannot wait for perfect conditions,” de Jager said. “We’ve proven the hydrogen technology works, we just need to build it at scale. We have the wind, we have the solar, and now we have the local IP.”
This innovation is poised to shift Africa’s fuel strategy away from centralized imports to scalable, clean, and domestically controlled energy systems.
Ports as Engines for Maritime Decarbonization
The maritime sector also received renewed focus. Thomas Roos from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) noted the transformative role of ports in Africa’s green journey:
“Shipping’s net zero transition is a springboard for green hydrogen development, and our ports can lead the way.”
Adding to this, Edwin Bruggeman of Bruggeman International showcased port shore power initiatives in Rotterdam and Miami as templates for African ports. “It’s not just about emissions, it’s about people. Shore power makes ports cleaner, safer and better neighbors to the communities around them.”
Building Equitable Infrastructure from the Ground Up
While technology dominated discussions, equity remained a core theme. Vishal Pooran of GIP stressed that inclusive development must go beyond engineering solutions: “We cannot solve exclusion with engineering alone. Equity must be factored into policy, investment and project delivery from the start.”
This call was echoed in the awards presented at the forum, recognising projects that blend technical innovation with social impact. As Josh Low, Vice President South Africa – dmg events, put it: “This year’s winners reflect Africa’s growing capacity to lead, adapt and design its own transport future. From hydrogen to road safety to regulatory frameworks, these projects show what’s possible.”
A Transformative Moment for African Trade
The 2025 edition of Transport Evolution Africa demonstrated that Africa’s transport transformation is no longer a future goal—it’s an unfolding reality. Through sustainable fuel innovation, smarter trade corridors, and inclusive policy design, the continent is laying the groundwork for a greener, fairer economy.
For more stories of African trade, visit our dedicated archives.