UK–Ghana Study Tour Strengthens Partnership on Roads and Future Transport Systems
Senior officials from Ghana’s Ministry of Roads and Highways (MoRH) have concluded a weeklong study tour to the United Kingdom, focused on strengthening institutional capacity in road asset management, road safety, and future transport systems.
The study tour, held from 16th - 20th March 2026, brought together political and technical leadership from Ghana’s Ministry of Roads and Highways (MoRH), the Ghana Highway Authority, the Department of Urban Roads, and the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF). A central component of the visit was a four-day programme delivered by TRL at its Woolwich Living Lab, where delegates engaged directly with cutting-edge research, innovation, and real-world transport solutions.
TRL’s Living Lab provided an immersive environment for knowledge exchange on road asset management, the Safe System approach to road safety, and the application of data-driven and digital tools to improve network performance. Through a mix of technical sessions, demonstrations, and collaborative discussions, delegates explored how innovation can support safer, more resilient, and future-ready transport systems.
Beyond TRL, the wider programme enabled engagement with UK transport institutions, delivery bodies, academia, and industry partners, offering practical insights into the planning, operation, and maintenance of road networks. This included operational site visits focused on motorway management and toll road operations, with engagement alongside National Highways on the M25 and a visit to the M6 Toll to understand UK approaches to safety, maintenance, and customer experience.
A key moment of the tour was a Business and Industry Roundtable, bringing together Ghanaian officials, UK delivery bodies, financiers, and private sector partners. Discussions focused on Ghana’s transport priorities and explored opportunities for collaboration, investment, and knowledge sharing.
The study tour highlights TRL’s role at the forefront of transport research and innovation, and its commitment to supporting international partners through practical, evidence-led solutions. It also reflects the UK’s broader growth partnership with Ghana, centred on technical collaboration, institutional strengthening, and long-term support for the development of safer, more efficient, and future-ready transport systems.
Speaking at the close of the visit, Hon. Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini, Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways, said:
“This study tour has been genuinely valuable, and it’s clear that many of the mobility challenges we face in Accra and Kumasi are shared in cities like London. We have seen practical approaches to road safety, asset management and managing works on busy corridors that we can adapt in Ghana. A key takeaway is the opportunity to revitalise the Ministry’s Koforidua Training Centre to help close skills gaps and strengthen delivery across the road sector.”
The British High Commissioner to Ghana H.E. Dr. Christian Rogg said:
“This visit demonstrates the strength of the UK–Ghana partnership and our shared commitment to building safer, more resilient transport systems. Through technical collaboration, leadership-level engagement and knowledge exchange, the UK is proud to support Ghana’s transport ambitions as a long-term partner.”
Colin Broadwood, TRL’s Head of Assets and Climate said:
“We were honoured to host senior officials from Ghana’s Ministry of Roads and Highways under the FCDO GCIEP programme for four days at Transport Research Laboratory (TRL)’s Living Lab in Woolwich, London. The visit provided a valuable opportunity to share TRL’s expertise in transport research, innovation and evidence-led approaches to road safety, asset management and future mobility systems. Engaging directly with the delegation allowed us to exchange insights on the practical challenges and opportunities facing transport networks, and to explore how data, research and collaboration can support more resilient and efficient road systems. We are proud to contribute to this important UK-Ghana partnership and look forward to continuing to support the development of safer, future-ready transport systems in Ghana.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The study tour was organised under the Green Cities Infrastructure and Energy Programme (GCIEP), in partnership with the UK’s Department for Business and Trade and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
The programme focused on institutional learning, knowledge exchange and partnership building and does not constitute funding or procurement announcements.
Vanuatu Appoints TRL to Implement Climate-Resilient iROADS Road Asset Management software
The Government of Vanuatu has selected TRL to implement and roll out its iROADS Road Asset Management system to strengthen the country’s transport network. This initiative marks an important step towards building a more climate-resilient, sustainable, and well-maintained road system, helping Vanuatu plan, manage, and protect its infrastructure in the face of changing environmental conditions.
Situated in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia and west of Fiji, Vanuatu is an island nation with a road network of approximately 2,900 kilometres, the majority of which are unsealed and vulnerable to the impacts of extreme weather. Strengthening this network is essential for national connectivity, disaster response, and economic development.
Under the new commission, funded by the World Bank under the Vanuatu Climate Resilient Transport Project, TRL will collaborate closely with the Vanuatu Public Works Department to enhance the climate resilience of the national road system and optimise the maintenance process. The programme will also help to ensure the country has the capacity to respond effectively to future crises or emergencies affecting transport infrastructure.
The project involves the full configuration and deployment of the iROADS system, comprehensive data collection across Vanuatu’s core road network, and the generation of multi-year maintenance and investment plans to support sustainable decision-making. A critical component of the work will be the institutionalisation of asset management practices and extensive training to build local technical capability within Vanuatu’s transport sector.
TRL will be supported by partners NTRO (National Transport Research Organisation) and Experion Technologies, whose expertise in infrastructure management and digital systems respectively will strengthen the delivery of this ambitious programme. Together, the partners will provide an integrated approach that combines advanced technology, field data, and local knowledge to improve the country’s infrastructure resilience.
As one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, Vanuatu faces frequent challenges from tropical cyclones, earthquakes, flooding, sea level rise and coastal inundation which can exacerbate these problems. The introduction of iROADS will enable the government to adopt a more data-driven approach to managing its road assets, prioritising maintenance and investment where it is most needed, and strengthening long-term resilience against natural disasters.
“We are proud to partner with the Government of Vanuatu in delivering sustainable, data-driven solutions for their road network,” said Subu Kamal, Head of Product for TRL Software. “This project reflects TRL’s ongoing commitment to helping island nations build climate-resilient infrastructure that supports communities, trade, and disaster preparedness.”
Andre Iautipu, Acting Director: Public Works Department, MIPU, Vanuatu said “This Initiative with TRL marks an important milestone in delivering on the goals of Vanuatu 2030, The People’s Plan, our National Sustainable Development Plan for 2016–2030. By implementing the iROADS system, we are advancing our vision for a stable, sustainable, and prosperous Vanuatu. A resilient and well-managed road network underpins national connectivity, supports inclusive economic growth, and strengthens our capacity to respond to the increasing impacts of climate change. The iROADS project will help us make data-driven decisions that secure a better future for our people.”
This collaboration will establish iROADS as a key component of Vanuatu’s national transport strategy and demonstrate how evidence-based planning can support climate adaptation and inclusive economic growth across the Pacific region.
Note to editors:
About NTRO
The National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO) collaborates with all levels of government, transport agencies, consultants, and private sector organisations on all aspects of transport and mobility in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific region. NTRO is innovation driven, delivering innovative transport solutions that are safer, more sustainable and value-for-money.
About Experion Technologies
Experion Technologies is an AI-native Product Engineering and Digital Transformation company with 1,650+ digital experts and a strong presence across Europe. With five global offices, Experion has partnered with 500+ clients and delivered 350+ products across 37 countries.
The company works with leading organizations across Healthcare, Banking and Financial Services, Insurance, Retail, Transport & Logistics, and EdTech, helping them modernize legacy systems, adopt cloud technologies, and build resilient, future-ready digital products.
Experion’s excellence has been recognized by Frost & Sullivan, Clutch, Inc. 5000, Everest Group, the Dallas 100 by SMU Cox, DBJ’s Fast 50, and an Honourable Mention at Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Awards. Experion is also a Great Place to Work–certified company for four consecutive years.
About World Bank
The World Bank Group is a multilateral development institution whose mission is to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a liveable planet. It provides financing, technical assistance and knowledge to support projects that promote sustainable economic development and improve quality of life in low- and middle-income countries.
TRL Delighted to Support Bangladesh Through Major World Bank and ADB-Funded Road Safety and Asset Management Programmes
TRL is pleased to be deepening its collaboration with national institutions in Bangladesh through a suite of flagship initiatives funded by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). These programmes reflect a shared commitment to improving road safety, modernising transport systems, and adopting smarter, technology-driven approaches to managing vital transport assets across one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
Under the World Bank funded Bangladesh Road Safety Project, TRL is providing Project Assistance Consultancy to four of the country’s key transport and public safety bodies: the Roads and Highways Department (RHD), the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), the Bangladesh Police, and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). TRL is pleased to support these progressive agencies as they work to create safer highways, enhance traffic enforcement, modernise driver training, and strengthen post-crash emergency care.
TRL is also proud to be implementing its advanced road asset management platform, iROADS, for the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), which oversees more than 350,000 kilometres of rural roads and thousands of bridges. Introducing iROADS will help LGED adopt a fully data-driven, proactive approach to planning and maintaining rural transport infrastructure, contributing to safer, more reliable and climate-resilient connectivity for communities throughout the country.
Further achievements have been delivered under ADB-funded programmes. TRL has rolled out its internationally recognised crash data management system, iMAAP, for RHD, giving Bangladesh a modern platform for evidence-based policy, enforcement, and engineering decisions. In addition, TRL has developed a comprehensive new Road Safety Audit Manual for RHD, currently under management review, which will help engineers integrate safety into road planning and design in line with international standards.
Collectively, these initiatives represent a positive and coordinated effort to address Bangladesh’s most pressing road safety and infrastructure management challenges. From highways to rural roads, and from crash data systems to emergency medical response, TRL is pleased to support national partners in strengthening governance, enhancing public safety, and ensuring more effective use of transport investments.
Tony Mathew, Head of Delivery and Operations for TRL said: “Bangladesh is taking bold steps to improve road safety and infrastructure resilience. TRL is proud to be working alongside the World Bank, ADB, and the Government of Bangladesh to bring international best practice, proven digital tools, and practical expertise to projects that will make a real difference for millions of people.”
About the Organisations Mentioned
World Bank
The World Bank Group is a multilateral development institution whose mission is to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a liveable planet. It provides financing, technical assistance and knowledge to support projects that promote sustainable economic development and improve quality of life in low- and middle-income countries.
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a regional development bank dedicated to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. ADB supports its developing member countries through loans, technical assistance, grants and equity investments that promote social and economic development.
Roads and Highways Department (RHD), Bangladesh
The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) is an agency of the Government of Bangladesh under the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges. Established in its current form in 1962, RHD is responsible for planning, constructing and maintaining the country’s major road and bridge network, including national and regional highways.
Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), Bangladesh
The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) is a key public sector agency in Bangladesh responsible for planning, designing and implementing rural, urban and small-scale infrastructure projects. LGED plays a central role in building and maintaining rural roads, bridges and other local infrastructure that enhance nationwide connectivity and support socio-economic development.
Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA)
The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) is the national regulatory body for road transport. Operating under the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, BRTA is responsible for vehicle registration, driver licensing, setting and enforcing road transport regulations, and providing other transport-related public services across Bangladesh.
Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Bangladesh
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) is one of the main agencies of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in Bangladesh. DGHS is responsible for implementing national health services and programmes, overseeing public health facilities, and supporting disease prevention and health promotion efforts throughout the country.
Bangladesh Police
Bangladesh Police is the country’s national law enforcement agency, operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
