6 July – 9 July | Pretoria, South Africa – Director General Gonzalo Alcaraz presented IRF’s vision for inclusive infrastructure during the Capacity Building and Transport for Rural Development session at the 44th Southern African Transport Conference (SATC).

Bringing together transport leaders, policymakers, researchers and practitioners from across the region, SATC 2026 provided a platform to exchange knowledge and explore solutions for developing and sustaining transport systems in an uncertain world.

In his presentation, “Inclusive Roads for Rural Development”, DG Alcaraz explained that road infrastructure should be measured not only by its physical condition, but by its ability to connect people with opportunity. Reliable roads enable access to healthcare, education, markets, employment and essential services, yet millions of people – particularly those living in rural communities – remain disconnected due to inadequate transport infrastructure. He stressed that inclusion should be treated as a core objective of road agencies rather than as a social consideration added after projects are designed.

Highlighting the scale of the challenge, DG Alcaraz noted that while the global Rural Access Index stands at approximately 82%, around 700 million rural residents still lack access to an all-season road within two kilometres of their homes. He also pointed to significant regional disparities, with rural accessibility remaining substantially lower across Sub-Saharan Africa than in more developed economies. Beyond physical access, he emphasised the economic burden of transport, noting that households in some countries spend more than one-fifth of their income on mobility, limiting access to education, healthcare and other essential services.

To address these challenges, DG Alcaraz presented four priority outcomes for creating more inclusive road networks by 2035: ensuring year-round connectivity for rural communities; designing safer roads for vulnerable users; strengthening integration with sustainable transport systems; and supporting inclusive economic growth through local employment and participation in road infrastructure value chains.

He outlined practical measures that road agencies can adopt throughout the project lifecycle, including identifying underserved communities through data-driven planning, incorporating barrier-free design principles, recognising social value in procurement, and linking maintenance programmes to accessibility outcomes.

The presentation also introduced the IRF’s contribution to the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026–2035)through its Roadmaps for Change series. Developed as a practical resource for road agencies, planners, designers and asset managers, the initiative provides guidance to help embed inclusion, safety, sustainability and resilience into transport policy and infrastructure delivery.

DG Alcaraz concluded by highlighting the role of professional development in turning policy into practice. Through its global training programmes, Safe and Inclusive Road Design project, Road Safety Auditor Registry and institutional capacity-building activities, IRF continues to support governments and practitioners in developing the skills and knowledge needed to deliver transport systems that are safer, more resilient and accessible to all.