IRF Leads Workshops for the Development of a Roadmap to Strengthen Road Safety
8 – 10 April | Dakar, Senegal and Nouakchott, Mauritania – The International Road Federation (IRF) was in West Africa for the Safe and Inclusive Road Design in North and West Africa project.
IRF Senior Advisor Brendan Halleman and Project Manager Paul Karst were in Dakar, Senegal and Nouakchott, Mauritania for a series of seminars that convened stakeholders to advance implementation roadmaps based on earlier project recommendations and to build capacity in safer road design.
Funded by the UNRSF – UN Road Safety Fund and the Islamic Development Bank, the Safe and Inclusive Road Design in North and West Africa project is now moving into implementation, with concrete steps underway in Morocco, Senegal and Mauritania. This work is underpinned by applied training on network-level diagnoses, road safety audits, vulnerable road user protection as well as safe work zone practices. In parallel, IRF is overseeing the development of practical handbooks supporting project personnel in making optimal design decisions.
Article originally published by the Agence Mauritanienne d'information
A workshop dedicated to the revision of design references for Safe and Inclusive Roads in Mauritania began on Monday, 6 April, in Nouakchott. Organised by the Ministry of Equipment and Transport, the workshop aimed to develop a roadmap for the development roads in the area.
The workshop is part of the local transport sector's efforts to strengthen road safety and improve the quality of infrastructure in accordance with national guidelines to develop the transport network and facilitate the movement of people and transportation of goods.
The Secretary General of the Ministry of Equipment and Transport, M'aizira Mint Kerbally, explained in her speech that the this meeting is in accordance with the high guidelines of His Excellency the President of the Republic, Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, who made road safety a national priority to protect lives and preserve development of the region. She stressed that the government is working to make this vision a reality by integrating road safety standards at all stages of project planning and execution, ensuring safer and more sustainable infrastructure.
Hon. Kerbally stressed the importance of this workshop as a means to provide practical training in road safety audits, which has become a fundamental pillar of public policy. She added that Mauritania has experienced a significant expansion of its road network in recent years, exceeding 6,000 kilometres, with more than 2000 kilometres still in progress. This is in addition to the launch of major structural projects, including the Nouakchott 2026 transport project, which has helped to modernise urban transport, improve traffic fluidity and strengthen public transport.
She noted that despite these advances, technical assessments have revealed certain shortcomings in international standards, highlighting the importance of continuing efforts, including in establishing an effective system for road safety auditing, considered an essential tool to prevent road accidents before they occur.
She also mentioned that the workshop will organise advanced training sessions for national executives, thus strengthening their skills and providing a solid basis for the development of this vital area, calling on participants to interact positively and exchange experiences, in order to contribute to the development of practical and innovative solutions that meet the specificities of the country.
For his part, the senior advisor to the International Roads Federation (IRF), Brendan Halleman, said that the current phase represents a transition from diagnosis to execution, stressing that the roadmap should be a practical tool for guiding decisions and coordinating efforts, and that its success is measured by the degree of integration of safety standards in road projects over the coming months, from the design phase to execution and audit.
He added that the biggest challenge lies in effective enforcement, calling for clear priorities and effective implementation mechanisms, while reaffirming the commitment of the International Roads Union to support Mauritania through a long-term partnership based on technical assistance and the exchange of experience.
The workshop took place in the presence of several technical executives, experts and actors in the field.
IRF Delivers Regional Report to Advance Safe and Inclusive Road Design in North and West Africa
Under the stewardship of the International Road Federation (IRF), the UNRSF-funded “Safe and Inclusive Road Design in North and West Africa” project has reached a major milestone with the completion and delivery of a consolidated regional report on improved road design practices in Morocco, Senegal and Mauritania.
The report provides a comprehensive assessment of existing road design standards and practices, with a particular focus on road safety performance and the protection of vulnerable road users. Developed through close cooperation with national road administrations and regional stakeholders, the publication of the report marks a significant step forward in supporting countries’ commitments under the United Nations’ Second Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021–2030), especially in relation to safer infrastructure.
By combining regional cooperation, technical rigor and targeted capacity-building, the initiative aims to contribute to lasting reductions in road fatalities and serious injuries across North and West Africa, while supporting more resilient and people-centred transport networks.
Critical Findings for a Region on the Move
Despite relatively low levels of motorisation, North and West Africa continue to experience some of the highest rates of road fatalities and serious injuries globally, with vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, accounting for the majority of victims. The regional report highlights that rapid network expansion has often relied on outdated road design standards that prioritise traffic flow over safety outcomes.
Key findings point to recurring gaps in speed management, intersection design, visibility, and the continuity of facilities for vulnerable road users, particularly on interurban and rural roads and through settlement crossings. In response, the report recommends a systematic revision of national road design standards to embed Safe System principles, the institutionalisation of road safety audits throughout the project life cycle, and the development of durable mechanisms for updating design standards on a regular basis and strengthening governance frameworks, particularly along cross-border corridors.
Strengthening capacity and institutional frameworks
The report further underscores that lasting improvements in road safety depend on stronger institutional frameworks and sustained investment in human capital. It identifies clear capacity gaps among road agencies, design engineers and consulting firms, notably in the application of Safe System principles and the use of speed management by design.
In response, the project has already begun translating these insights into action through targeted training and knowledge-exchange activities, bringing together practitioners from Morocco, Senegal and Mauritania to strengthen skills related to Safe System–based design, the protection of vulnerable road users, as well as preventive screening tools such as iRAP surveys and road safety audits. These ongoing capacity-building efforts will be further expanded in 2026, supporting countries in embedding the report’s recommendations into everyday practice and institutional processes.
Voices from the partnership
Commenting on the milestone, Gonzalo Alcaraz, Director General of IRF, said: “This regional report is a concrete example of what can be achieved when countries and partners work together around a shared objective. Safer and more inclusive road design is not a theoretical exercise, it is a practical, lifesaving agenda. By focusing on application rather than theoretical guidance, this update will help ensure that revised standards lead to measurable improvements in safety outcomes across national and cross-border corridors. IRF is proud to support Morocco, Senegal, and Mauritania in laying the foundations for improved design standards that better protect all road users.”
From the United Nations perspective, Adel Alghaberi, representing UNESCWA, noted: “This regional report reflects tangible progress by Morocco, Senegal and Mauritania in critically reviewing and modernising their road design frameworks. Under the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030, countries are called not only to commit, but to act on safer infrastructure. By jointly assessing their standards against Safe System principles and international good practice, these countries are taking concrete steps toward embedding road safety and inclusion into national design norms, where long-term impact is created.”
From the perspective of a major infrastructure financier, Atiq Ahmad of the Islamic Development Bank added: “For development institutions, safe, inclusive, and resilient road infrastructure is fundamental to sustainable development and not a secondary consideration. This regional report provides a robust analytical and operational foundation to support our Member Countries in embedding road safety, universal access, and climate resilience into road design and delivery. By advancing safer and more inclusive corridors, the report directly contributes to reducing road fatalities, improving accessibility for vulnerable users, and ensuring that transport investments deliver long-term social and economic benefits across North and West Africa.”
Looking ahead
With this milestone achieved, the project now enters its next phase with intensified efforts in support of training, knowledge transfer and institutional strengthening, helping road agencies and practitioners embed safer and more inclusive design principles into everyday practice.
The “Safe and Inclusive Road Design in North and West Africa “ project is funded by the United Nations Road Safety Fund through the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and by the Islamic Development Bank, and implemented by IRF in partnership with national and regional institutions.
Download the executive summary below
For a copy of the full report, please send your request to bhalleman@irfofficial.org with subject: Access to MSM regional report.
