Rising transport costs, traffic congestion and inadequate infrastructure are forcing many low-income workers in African cities to walk to work rather than rely on public transport.


The findings are outlined in a new World Bank report titled Sub-Saharan Africa’s Urban Awakening, which warns that transport challenges in Sub-Saharan African cities are limiting workers’ access to better employment opportunities and undermining economic productivity.


According to The EastAfrican, in a report published on November 4, 2026, workers in low-income neighbourhoods are among the hardest hit, as many live far from areas where most jobs are concentrated.


The World Bank reports that transport costs in Africa are 42% higher than in other regions of the world. As a result, some workers choose to walk to reduce their daily commuting expenses. (Read the World Bank report)

The report further indicates that only 32% of people in Sub-Saharan Africa have access to public transport near their homes, compared with the global average of 52%.

South Africa, Ghana and Kenya among the countries facing transport challenges


In South Africa, low-income workers can spend between two and three hours commuting to and from work each day. The report shows that transport expenses can account for as much as 57% of their daily earnings.


In Kumasi, Ghana, traffic congestion also affects transport operators. According to the World Bank, congestion reduces their average earnings by 21.9% and cuts the time they spend on productive activities by 9% each day.


In Nairobi, Kenya, the report suggests that better land-use management and urban planning could improve workers’ access to employment opportunities, even without additional investment in transport infrastructure.

Rwanda also highlights the importance of walking

In Rwanda, data from the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) for the first quarter of 2026 shows that 83.4% of workers walk when travelling to and from work.


In Kigali City, 57.4% of workers walked, while 28.2% used public transport and 14.4% relied on private transport. (Read the NISR report)


These figures indicate that walking remains a common means of commuting in Rwanda. However, the statistics alone do not establish that all workers who walk do so because of rising transport costs.

World Bank calls for better transport systems and urban planning


The World Bank says that improving roads and public transport, reforming land-use regulations and helping residents access information about employment opportunities could boost workers’ productivity and improve their living standards.


The report shows that the urban population in Sub-Saharan Africa has grown significantly, rising from 170 million in 1975 to 913 million in 2025. The World Bank projects that the figure will reach 1.7 billion by 2050, representing an increase of 748 million people over the next 25 years. (Read the World Bank report)