Walking as a mode of transport: Content analysis of standalone non-motorized transport (NMT) policies in Sub – Saharan Africa (SSA)

Non-motorized transport (NMT), particularly walking, is central to sustainable and inclusive urban mobility, yet the extent to which governments in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have institutionalized support for walking through policy remains unclear. This study addresses this gap by providing the first systematic content analysis of standalone NMT policy documents in SSA, assessing their scope, priorities, and implementation readiness. Using qualitative content analysis supported by MAXQDA and exploratory machine-learning techniques, four standalone NMT policies (Uganda, South Africa, Kenya (Nairobi), and Nigeria (Lagos)) were analyzed. The findings reveal a pronounced continental policy deficit, with only 8.3% of SSA countries having standalone NMT policies. While national-level policies exist in Uganda and South Africa and city-level policies in Nairobi and Lagos, critical gaps persist across all cases, particularly regarding dedicated funding, equity and environmental objectives, outcome timelines, and robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks. Although common interventions such as infrastructure provision, regulation, and public awareness are articulated, their effectiveness is undermined by weak institutional commitment and limited accountability mechanisms. The study contributes empirical evidence on the structural and thematic shortcomings of NMT policymaking in SSA and highlights opportunities for strengthening future policy design. These findings have implications for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to advance walking as a safe, equitable, and sustainable mode of transport within rapidly urbanizing African cities.