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For many years, the intelligent transport systems community has spoken about the importance of global collaboration, yet too often that collaboration has been concentrated within established regional networks. A new initiative taking shape in Southern Africa aims to broaden that conversation significantly, creating fresh opportunities for shared learning, practical cooperation and long-term partnerships between continents.
The first ITS Africa Conference, ITSAC 2027, will take place on 9 and 10 March 2027 in South Africa’s Cape Winelands, bringing together government leaders, transport professionals, academics, investors and technology providers from across the Southern African region. Under the theme “Bridging Continents for Smarter Mobility”, the event has issued an invitation to European experts to play an active role in shaping the conference programme and contributing to what organisers hope will become a landmark gathering for the region’s intelligent transport sector.
At a time when mobility challenges increasingly transcend national borders, the conference arrives with a clear sense of purpose. Rather than positioning itself as a traditional exhibition-led showcase, ITSAC 2027 has been designed as a working event focused on the exchange of practical knowledge, experience and lessons learned. The emphasis is firmly on dialogue and collaboration, creating an environment where participants can engage openly with the realities of planning, funding, implementing and operating transport systems in very different economic, geographic and social contexts.
That distinction is particularly important. Across the world, transport authorities are grappling with similar questions around congestion, sustainability, safety, accessibility and resilience. Yet the circumstances in which those challenges emerge often vary considerably. What works in a densely populated European city may require adaptation before it can deliver similar benefits elsewhere. Equally, innovative approaches developed in emerging markets frequently offer valuable lessons for more mature transport networks.
This is precisely the opportunity that ITSAC 2027 hopes to unlock. The event will provide a platform where knowledge flows in both directions, enabling European and Southern African stakeholders to learn from one another. Organisers are seeking transport and mobility experts from across Europe to contribute keynote presentations, participate in panel discussions and share insights from projects that have delivered measurable outcomes in areas ranging from traffic management and public transport to digital infrastructure and road safety.
Support for that ambition comes from ERTICO, whose involvement reflects a growing recognition that the challenges facing the transport sector require a genuinely international perspective. “ERTICO is proud to partner with the first ITS Africa Conference, helping to shape a programme that fosters meaningful dialogue and the exchange of knowledge and expertise in both directions,” says Joost Vantomme, CEO of ERTICO, “the Conference presents an important opportunity to strengthen ties between Africa and Europe, bringing together diverse experiences, perspectives, and expertise to address mobility challenges.”
His comments highlight an increasingly important shift in the way the global ITS community views collaboration. Partnerships are no longer simply about transferring technology or exporting established solutions. Instead, they are becoming opportunities to build mutual understanding, develop stronger professional networks and create innovations that reflect a wider range of operational realities.
Those attending ITSAC 2027 can expect a programme that reflects the breadth of issues currently shaping transport and mobility policy across the region. Nine key themes will structure discussions throughout the conference, including Public Transport, Smart Cities, ITS Education, Skills and Research, Communication and Renewable Energy, Traffic Signals, Tolling, Freeway Management Systems and Rural ITS, Cross-border Operations, Ports and Rail, and Technology in Road Safety.
Collectively, these topics paint a picture of a sector undergoing considerable transformation. Public transport authorities are seeking more efficient and passenger-focused services. Urban planners are exploring how connected technologies can support the development of smarter cities. Infrastructure operators are looking for better ways to manage growing traffic demand while maintaining safety and reliability. Meanwhile, policymakers and researchers continue to examine how digital technologies can help extend mobility benefits to rural communities and underserved populations.
Such discussions are particularly relevant in the Southern African context, where transport networks often serve vast geographic areas while supporting complex economic activities that extend across national boundaries. Cross-border freight movements, growing urban populations and increasing demand for connectivity all bring unique challenges that require both innovation and cooperation.
For European delegates, the conference offers a valuable opportunity to gain insight into these challenges while also identifying areas where expertise, technology and partnerships can contribute to future progress. Equally, Southern African participants will have access to a broad range of international perspectives and practical experiences drawn from some of the world's most advanced transport programmes.
The structure of the event has been designed to encourage exactly these kinds of exchanges. The conference will open with a session delivered in partnership with ERTICO, setting the tone for two days of discussion, learning and engagement. Alongside the main conference programme, an exhibition will provide opportunities for organisations to showcase technologies, services and innovations relevant to the region's mobility priorities.
Networking will also play an important role. The first day will conclude with an evening welcome function, providing delegates with an informal setting in which to continue conversations, develop relationships and explore opportunities for future collaboration. Often, it is these discussions outside the formal programme that lead to the most enduring partnerships and the most promising new ideas.
The significance of the event extends beyond the two days of sessions themselves. By creating a dedicated forum for intelligent transport discussions in Southern Africa, ITSAC 2027 has the potential to establish a foundation for continued engagement between regions that share many common objectives. Mobility, after all, remains one of the most powerful enablers of economic growth, social inclusion and environmental sustainability.
Success in those areas depends increasingly on the ability of organisations and individuals to learn from experiences beyond their own borders. Conferences that create genuine opportunities for collaboration can accelerate that learning process, helping emerging solutions move more quickly from concept to deployment.
With support from ERTICO, hosting by the City of Cape Town and backing from the Western Cape Government Department of Infrastructure, the inaugural conference enters the calendar with significant institutional support. Organised by Innovative Transport Solutions (Pty) Ltd, the event aims to build a community that continues to grow long after the closing session has concluded.
For European ITS professionals, researchers, policymakers and technology providers, the invitation is clear. ITSAC 2027 is looking for contributors who can bring expertise, experience and fresh perspectives to a programme focused on addressing real-world transport challenges. In return, participants will gain access to a dynamic and growing ITS community, a deeper understanding of Southern African mobility priorities and the opportunity to help shape new international partnerships.
As the global transport sector continues to navigate rapid technological change, events that encourage constructive dialogue across continents are becoming increasingly valuable. The inaugural ITS Africa Conference represents more than the launch of a new industry gathering. It signals a commitment to building stronger connections between regions, sharing knowledge more openly and recognising that the future of smarter mobility will be shaped not in isolation, but through collaboration across borders, cultures and experiences.
European experts interested in speaking opportunities or sponsorship can find further information via the conference website at: www.itsac.co.za.
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