The Green Waka New Mobility Africa Campaign (GW NMAC) is promoting sustainable transport solutions, highlighting the Lopifit electric walking bike as a potential alternative for urban mobility in Africa.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) recognizes walking and cycling as essential elements in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. Active mobility also provides health benefits, such as reducing the risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. However, a study by the Partnership for Active Travel and Health (PATH) found that only 25% of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) include active travel, despite the presence of walking and cycling policies in some countries.
The lack of policy focus on active mobility has limited investment in pedestrian and cycling infrastructure across Africa. In response, GW NMAC is encouraging African governments to integrate walking and cycling into national policies, urban planning, and climate action frameworks.
At the Business Day Ambassador Conference in the Netherlands on January 30, 2025, Rob van Ooijen, co-founder of Walkingbike/BV, introduced the Lopifit electric walking bike as a potential solution to transport challenges in Africa. The Lopifit, which functions as an electric-powered treadmill on wheels, enables users to walk while reaching speeds of up to 25 km/h.
Ambassadors from Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Benin expressed support for the initiative, recognizing its potential to improve public health, road safety, and environmental sustainability. Michel Deelen, Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria, emphasized the importance of multi-sector collaboration for the success of the project.
Diplomats, including Joris Jurriëns (Benin, Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea), Jeroen Verheul (Ghana), and Jeroen Kelderhuis (Ivory Coast), also discussed the need to address cultural perceptions, particularly in Ghana, where cycling is often associated with low-income communities.
Michael Deelen, co-founder of Green Waka and Africa representative of Walkingbike/BV, reiterated the organization’s commitment to promoting active transport solutions. He praised global initiatives such as PATH, the Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI), and the Pan African Action Plan for Active Mobility (PAAPAM) for their advocacy of walking and cycling as climate solutions.
Chris Bruntlett, International Relations Manager at the Dutch Cycling Embassy (DCE), described the campaign as “strategic and necessary,” citing a UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report that noted over one billion Africans walk and cycle daily. Bruntlett stressed the importance of clear policies and funding for active mobility infrastructure to drive growth in the sector.
As the Green Waka campaign gains momentum, stakeholders are urging governments, development organizations, and the private sector to invest in active mobility solutions and incorporate them into climate policies. The Lopifit electric walking bike is one of several potential steps toward reducing urban pollution and improving transport options across the continent.
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