Connected and Competitive: African Transport Infrastructure Lessons from the Front Lines

Key Themes from the Discussion

1. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and Stakeholder Participation Drawing from experience on cross-border projects like the Maputo Corridor, Hannes stresses that successful PPPs require early, genuine, and integrated stakeholder engagement (communities, businesses, government departments, media).
   • It's not a one-way info dump - show willingness to adapt designs/processes based on feedback.
   • Address "what's in it for them" (e.g., subcontracting, jobs).
   • Harmonize legislation, operations, and processes across borders to avoid conflicts.
   • Communities are sophisticated (including professionals like engineers/lawyers); involve them respectfully to avoid resistance.
   • Direct, open, fact-based communication (including with media) builds the right perception and counters misinformation.
2. Innovative Approaches for Urban Resilience and Sustainability Africa's rapid urbanization and congestion create big opportunities for smarter transport solutions. Tolcon is evolving beyond traditional tolls/weighbridges/ITS to address emerging needs via its renewable energy and software companies. Key innovations highlighted:
   • Smart tolling (satellite-based, multi-lane free-flow, congestion/time-based pricing).
   • Integration with navigation apps (e.g., Google Maps/Waze) for incentives to avoid peak congestion.
   • Intelligent traffic management (adaptive traffic lights using real-time data). These reduce unnecessary congestion, improve efficiency, and help make cities more competitive and sustainable while tackling infrastructure funding gaps.
3. Lessons for Future Urban Projects
   • Proper project preparation is essential (feasibility studies, traffic/environmental assessments) to attract funders.
   • Strong project structure: Harmonize cross-border elements and create unified implementing authorities where possible (as in Maputo Corridor).
   • Prioritize local involvement for equitable benefits - make communities feel ownership, create jobs, and build local capacity rather than relying on external firms that "build and leave."
4. Tolcon's Excitement and Future Role Hannes is optimistic about growing government willingness across Africa to develop infrastructure and close the competitiveness gap. Tolcon wants to contribute by:
   • Leveraging its deep African understanding and experience.
   • Delivering sustainable solutions with skill transfer, local employment/contractor use, and training - so countries become self-reliant.
   • Avoiding dependency; aim for projects where locals can operate independently after Tolcon exits. This supports job creation, economic development, connected cities, and scalable transport corridors/urban mobility solutions. The company is eager to participate in the expanding pipeline of African projects, especially ahead of events like Infrastructure Africa 2026.

Overview of Tolcon Group

Tolcon Group is a leading South African provider of transport infrastructure management services, operating since 1985 as an ISO-accredited company. It consists of six operating companies and specializes in:

• Toll and weighbridge operations and maintenance
• Freeway/intelligent transport systems
• Route management and routine road maintenance
• Toll system development and supply
• Additional areas like renewable energy (solar) solutions, software development, and specialist electrical installations
• The company has 40 years of experience in South Africa (e.g., managing contracts for SANRAL and private concessionaires) and is expanding into Africa, with an established presence in Zambia and active exploration in countries like Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda. Tolcon positions itself as a trusted, integrity-driven African partner focused on sustainable growth, not just short-term projects.