CITA RAG Africa 25: Time for Action in Zanzibar
Stone Town, Zanzibar – 4–5 November 2025. The CITA Regional Conference for Africa, themed “Time for Action – Because Africa Deserves Safe and Clean Vehicles,” successfully gathered a wide range of key stakeholders from across the continent and beyond. Held at the Golden Tulip Stone Town Boutique Hotel, the event provided a dynamic platform for dialogue, cooperation, and the exchange of expertise in the field of vehicle regulatory compliance, inspection, and road safety.
Over two days, representatives from governmental authorities, technical services, international organizations, academia, and the private sector came together to discuss the future of vehicle safety and environmental protection in Africa. The conference highlighted the urgent need for harmonized and effective vehicle regulatory schemes, addressing topics such as importation of used vehicles, vehicle inspection systems, homologation procedures, and operational best practices adapted to African realities.
The event was opened by CITA leaders, together with high-level representatives of regional authorities and international institutions. Their addresses emphasized that ensuring the circulation of safe and clean vehicles is not only a technical or economic issue, but also a social imperative for the well-being of African citizens and the sustainability of the environment.
Day 1 focused on strategic and thematic discussions. Participants heard high-level contributions from international organizations, followed by academic insights and practical experiences from African countries already implementing vehicle inspection and registration programs. The importation of used vehicles – a critical issue for the region – received particular attention, with lessons drawn from other parts of the world and successful case studies presented by African experts.
The day concluded with an evening networking dinner, allowing participants to strengthen regional ties and foster future cooperation.
Day 2 was dedicated to practical and operational aspects. In the morning workshop, experts jointly identified the key elements needed to develop effective vehicle regulatory frameworks in Africa, emphasizing the importance of institutional capacity, data management, and transparent governance.
In the afternoon, participants took part in a technical visit to the KWASILVA vehicle inspection site in Zanzibar, where they observed firsthand the operational practices and technologies used locally, and discussed how similar solutions could be adapted elsewhere on the continent.
The conference reaffirmed CITA’s commitment to supporting African countries in developing comprehensive systems for vehicle type approval, inspection, and registration that are efficient, transparent, and aligned with international standards. As one of the key takeaways, participants called for enhanced regional collaboration, sharing of technical expertise, and capacity building initiatives to ensure that Africa can move decisively towards a safer and cleaner vehicle fleet.
On 6 November. CITA President Gerhard Müller and Chair of RAG Africa, Ferose Oaten, had the honor of accepting an invitation from the President of Zanzibar following the CITA RAG Africa Conference held in Stone Town, Zanzibar. President Hussein Mwinyi expressed great interest in hearing their impressions of the ongoing PTI initiatives on the island. The CITA representatives commended the strong political commitment demonstrated in establishing periodic vehicle testing and praised the new Kwasilva Testing Station—an impressive facility that could serve as a model for the rest of Africa.
The success of the 2025 African Regional Conference in Zanzibar underlines that the time for action is now – because Africa truly deserves safe and clean vehicles.
