Transport Situation in the Global South: Insights from Nigeria, South Africa and India

Transportation plays a major role in sustainable development, impacting the economy and presenting various trends and challenges. This chapter focuses on the transport situation in the global south, specifically Nigeria, South Africa, and India to identify the impacts and highlight emerging trends and challenges. By referencing developed countries like Singapore and Germany, the study offers researchers and practitioners a comprehensive understanding of transportation challenges and the influence of infrastructure on sustainable development. The findings reveal that many cities in developing countries lack essential infrastructure needed for citizen well-being and to support transportation system growth, contrasting with the developed nations. The chapter also identifies congestion as a significant social issue and emphasizes the detrimental effects of poorly maintained transit infrastructure on residents’ quality of life. Additionally, challenges related to transport affordability, limited access to public transportation in communities, and weak intermodal integration affecting home-to-work connections are prevalent in most cities in the global south. These findings shed light on the obstacles hindering growth in the transport sector and provide insights into transport problems, traffic congestion, infrastructure planning, transport planning, sustainability, emerging technology, smart cities, intermodal transport, and Africa.