Each year, more than 1.3 million people around the world die from road traffic crashes, with the vast majority of these fatalities occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Photo by AI
Three African cities-Addis Ababa, Kampala, and Mombasa—have been honoured in the first-ever Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety Speed Challenge, highlighting the continent’s growing leadership in the fight against speed-related road crashes.
Launched in June 2023 and concluded in March 2025, the Speed Challenge called on participating cities and states to adopt World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.
The guideline recommend speed limits below 50 km/h in urban areas and under 30 km/h in high-risk zones such as schools and hospitals.
Cities were also tasked with implementing practical measures to curb dangerous driving, from redesigning streets and improving signage to strengthening enforcement and raising public awareness.
Winners receive between $50,000 and $100,000 to expand their life-saving work.
Africa’s Road Safety Crisis
Africa bears the highest road traffic fatality rate globally, with 19.4 deaths per 100,000 people, nearly triple the rate in Europe, according to the WHO report 2023.
Despite accounting for just 3% of the world’s vehicles, the continent lost 259,061 lives in 2021 alone to road crashes.
Unlike other regions where fatalities are declining, Africa experienced a 17% increase in deaths between 2010 and 2021, the only WHO region to report a rise during this period.
Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable, comprising 31% of all fatalities, and children are often at risk due to inadequate protective infrastructure near schools.
The economic impact of road crashes is also severe.
In addition to loss of life, countries face annual costs of up to 5% of GDP, straining health systems, reducing workforce productivity, and affecting family’s dependent on those injured or killed in crashes.
The continent’s growing urban populations and rising vehicle ownership rates make interventions like the Speed Challenge even more critical.
Spotlight on African Winners
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, emerged as a gold winner, praised for adopting best practices for urban speed limits and sustaining citywide speed enforcement operations.
The city installed over 640 concrete and 1,500 rubber speed humps, particularly in school zones, along with redesigned intersections that slow traffic and improve pedestrian safety.
Data from monitored locations indicate that 37 lives were saved thanks to these interventions.
The city also ran public awareness campaigns to engage residents on safe driving practices, reinforcing the physical measures with behavioural change initiatives.
Kampala,
Kampala, Uganda secured a bronze award for implementing a 30 km/h speed limit across both school zones and urban roads, complementing national road safety regulations.
The city installed raised pedestrian crossings near 20 schools and enhanced traffic monitoring, signalling a commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable road users.
Kampala’s approach demonstrates how policy, infrastructure, and community engagement can work together to reduce fatalities.
Kenya
Mombasa, Kenya, also won bronze for enforcing the national 50 km/h urban speed limit with visible measures such as speed humps and raised crossings near five schools.
The city complemented enforcement with a mass media campaign, “Slow Down, Speeding Ruins Lives”, raising awareness about the dangers of speeding.
In addition, Mombasa strengthened traffic policing to ensure compliance and reduce high-risk driving behaviour, illustrating how multifaceted strategies can achieve measurable results.
The Global Context
“Speeding kills 1,600 people every day. In fact, it’s a leading cause of preventable injuries and deaths worldwide,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies.
“For nearly two decades, the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety has worked with our partners to save lives in countries around the world. Now, through the Speed Challenge, we’re shining a spotlight on the most effective actions of winning cities – and the urgent need for more to follow their lead,” Bloomberg added.
Since 2007, the Initiative has supported interventions in more than 50 cities and provinces, advocated for stronger national policies in 21 countries, and advanced vehicle safety standards in four regional markets.
Overall, Bloomberg Philanthropies estimates that these efforts have saved 900,000 lives worldwide, underscoring the importance of scaling successful interventions.
By rewarding measurable results and providing resources to scale proven solutions, the Speed Challenge emphasizes how cities across Africa can tackle one of the continent’s deadliest public health challenges, safeguard vulnerable road users, and reduce both human and economic losses.
About Bloomberg Philanthropies:
Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people.
The organization focuses on creating lasting change in five key areas: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health.
Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy, as well as Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy that advises cities around the world.
In 2024, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $3.7 billion.
