Supporting Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning in Harare

MobiliseYourCity and the Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI) recently delivered a two-day SUMP Fundamentals Training for the City of Harare's Traffic and Transportation Department, held on 22–23 July 2026 at the GIZ Office in Highlands, Harare. 

Facilitated by Nicolas Cruz and Caroline von Stein (MobiliseYourCity Global Secretariat & TUMI, GIZ), the training brought together 15 participants for an interactive mix of presentations, discussions, and practical exercises covering the full SUMP cycle, from diagnostics and vision-setting to action planning and implementation. 

Day one focused on the foundations: an introduction to SUMP principles and phases, a deep dive into conducting an urban mobility diagnostic, and a session on translating diagnostic findings into a shared vision, goals, and alternative scenarios. The day closed with an expert exchange on integrating paratransit into the SUMP process, led by Solène Baffi of CODATU. This is a critical topic given how central informal and paratransit services are to mobility in African cities. 

Day two turned to implementation: building a realistic, prioritized action plan, followed by an expert session on integrating land use planning into SUMPs with Pablo Salazar-Ferro of Transitec. Participants then explored participatory processes and stakeholder engagement, before a dedicated session on gender and inclusion, examining how mobility needs differ across gender, age, income, and ability, and how to embed equity considerations throughout the SUMP process. 

Peer Exchange with Mwanza 

A highlight of the training was the peer exchange with Mwanza, Tanzania, led by Fanuel Lutashobya Kasenene of Mwanza City Council. Mwanza's own SUMP was adopted earlier this year with MobiliseYourCity support, giving Harare's team a first-hand look at how a fellow fast-growing African city navigated similar institutional and financing challenges. 

The training also connected sustainable mobility planning to Harare's newly adopted Master Plan, reinforcing how transport priorities can be embedded within the city's broader long-term development vision. 

Whats next? 

This session marks the starting point of a longer engagement. With support from the GAP Fund, Harare is now preparing to formally launch its SUMP process. Zimbabwe joins a growing list of MobiliseYourCity partner countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, including Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Madagascar, each working toward low-carbon, efficient, and equitable urban mobility. 

We look forward to continuing this collaboration and supporting Harare on its journey toward a more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable transport future.