Africa: Transport

One of the major challenges of aircraft financiers and lessors is the recovery of their aircraft following a contractual default. Unlike many assets, aircrafts are sophisticated and highly mobile assets, often financed through intricate cross-border arrangements.

The European Commission has opened a consultation to evaluate the effectiveness of EU Regulation No 598/2014, which establishes a procedural framework for managing noise pollution at major airports across the European Union. Stakeholders including airport operators, air carriers, environmental organizations, and aviation authorities have until 19 November 2026 to submit their contributions on whether the regulation has achieved its objectives and remains fit for purpose.

The General Court of the European Union has annulled key provisions of the EU's Climate Delegated Act that excluded business aviation manufacturing from taxonomy-aligned activities. This landmark ruling challenges the European Commission's methodology for determining which economic activities qualify as environmentally sustainable under the EU Taxonomy Regulation. The decision establishes critical precedents for how manufacturing activities should be assessed and opens pathways for industry participants to

The Act received presidential assent on 19 June 2026. Its stated objectives are to establish a legal framework for the efficient economic regulation of regulated services and activities and to protect the interests of shippers, providers and users of regulated services.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Act, 2026, formally transforming the Nigerian Shippers' Council into an independent economic regulator...

The Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) was launched in January 2026 to address financing gaps for indigenous Nigerian shipowners. Six months later, despite receiving 92 applications, no disbursements have been made due to bureaucratic bottlenecks, extensive risk assessments by primary lending institutions, and complex documentation requirements across multiple regulatory agencies.

Road transportation remains the predominant means of movement for individuals and goods in Nigeria, and one feature that has remained constant in Nigeria's transportation landscape is the steady increase in the number of motor vehicles using public roads. In densely populated commercial centres such as Lagos, thousands of private motorists, commercial transport operators, heavy-duty vehicles, motorcycles, tricycles and pedestrians interact daily within an increasingly congested road network. The inevitable consequence is the frequent occurrence of road traffic accidents resulting in death, bodily injury and substantial property damage.

Nigeria's transportation sector experienced significant growth and transformation in Q2 2026, driven by accelerated infrastructure projects, enhanced regional integration through AfCFTA, and increased private sector participation. The quarter showcased operational improvements across aviation, maritime, and road networks, supported by the positive impact of 2025 tax reforms on investor confidence and regulatory efficiency.

South Africa's rail reform has reached a critical juncture as the Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager concludes binding Rail Access Agreements with all 11 newly allocated Train Operating Companies, marking the transition...