Harare is taking action to improve road safety through the Global Alliance of Cities for Road Safety (ACRoS) initiative, funded by the UN Road Safety Fund. This project focuses on solutions that can be easily scaled and encourage active mobility. Zimbabwe is facing a serious road safety problem, with 41 deaths for every 100,000 people each year. As a result, this project represents a critical intervention to save lives and shift urban transportation toward safer, more sustainable practices.

The recent Open Street event, held in Budiriro during Urban October by UN-Habitat, marked a significant milestone for Harare. Through collaboration with local authorities, international experts, and community advocates, this event showcased a transformative vision for the city: one where walking and cycling are safe and accessible options for all. Brian Zvomuya, Senior Traffic and Transportation Planner for Harare, emphasized the city's commitment: “We want a Harare where people can walk or cycle without fear.”

This initiative not only provided space for pedestrians and cyclists but also engaged the community through impactful artwork and on-the-ground awareness campaigns. Local artists from Carligraph contributed inspiring murals that promote road safety messages, demonstrating the power of art to raise awareness and encourage safer behaviours.

The city of Harare, in collaboration with GIZ and other partners, hosted a workshop focused on "tactical urbanism," introducing practical, low-cost measures to enhance road safety in high-density urban areas. Supported by the UNRSF-funded ACRoS project and implemented by UN-Habitat, this workshop equipped local planners and traffic officials with hands-on tools for improving urban road safety. The initiative encourages cities across Africa to adopt the Safe System Approach, focusing on protecting vulnerable road users and creating safer, more livable urban spaces.

ACRoS has facilitated valuable knowledge-sharing between Harare and cities like Addis Ababa, Kigali, Quelimane, and Cape Town. "Learning from similar cities is essential," noted Judith Mujegu, Chief Traffic and Transportation Planner. “It’s especially valuable when they come from countries we can relate to, socially and economically.”

The project’s impact has already sparked future plans, including four more Open Street events in 2025 and a large-scale celebration of UN World Bicycle Day on June 3rd. Harare’s membership in ACRoS paves the way for ongoing collaboration, creating a model for #roadsafety that can be replicated in other cities across Zimbabwe and beyond.

Through the UNRSF’s support, Harare is setting a benchmark for sustainable, people-centred urban planning in African cities—where streets become symbols of life and safety.

Photo Credits to: Maxwell Tanaka Chembesi.