The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Transportation, Daura, Prof. Umar Adam Katsayal, mni, has emphasized the critical role of sustainable transportation in driving Africa’s transition to a green economy.
Prof. Katsayal made this assertion while presenting a paper titled “Sustainable Transportation Education: A Pathway to Africa’s Green Economy” at the 3rd Africa Education Summit, held in Zimbabwe on Saturday, April 5, 2025.
The summit, hosted at Elephant Hills Hotel in Victoria Falls, was organized by the Global Skills Hub, UK, and Africa Education Stakeholders, in collaboration with the Zimbabwean Government and supported by Lion Outreach International.
According to a statement by Umar Usman, Chief Information and Communications Officer of the Federal University of Transportation, Daura, the summit served as a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange, strategic collaborations, and collective action to enhance educational standards across Africa.
In his presentation, Prof. Katsayal highlighted the unique role of the Federal University of Transportation, Daura—the first of its kind in Africa—and the specialized programs it offers. He encouraged African nations to harness the opportunities presented by the institution to build capacity in sustainable transport and related sectors.
The event, which began on Thursday, April 3, was formally declared open on Friday, April 4, by the President of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa. In his keynote address, President Mnangagwa urged African delegates to focus on innovation-driven discussions that will enable homegrown development solutions.
“The summit must proffer solutions that will enable developmental progress across the African continent by Africans and further reshape our educational systems to harness our youth for the betterment of Africa,” he said.
The President also called on African educational institutions to become hubs of innovation, producing graduates equipped to generate employment rather than merely acquiring language skills introduced by colonial legacies.
He assured that African leaders remain committed to supporting efforts that will grant the continent’s growing youth population better access to quality education and improved living standards.
The 3rd Africa Education Summit brought together policymakers, academic leaders, development partners, education funders, NGOs, and global thought leaders. Themed “Translating Our Educational Advancement to Continental Development: A Strategic Approach”, the summit championed a unified vision for transforming education across Africa.
Prof. Katsayal attended the summit alongside Prof. Abubakar Ahmed, the university’s Director of Academic Planning and Monitoring, joining hundreds of delegates from across the continent.
