Original Research

Transport barriers encountered by people with disability in Africa: An overview

Babra Duri, Rose Luke
Journal of Transport and Supply Chain Management | Vol 16 | a826 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/jtscm.v16i0.826 | © 2022 Babra Duri, Rose Luke | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 28 July 2022 | Published: 04 November 2022

About the author(s)

Babra Duri, Department of Transport and Supply Chain Management, Faculty of Management, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
Rose Luke, Department of Transport and Supply Chain Management, Faculty of Management, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract

Background: The transport needs of people with disability are often marginalised, and universally accessible transport remains a challenge in many African countries. Lack of accessible transport may lead to high unemployment rates, poverty and lack of opportunities among people with disability.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to identify transport barriers encountered by people with disability in Africa.

Method: A systematic literature review design was followed, while content analysis was used to analyse the data obtained.

Results: One of the most significant barriers for the African countries is the lack of universally accessible transport infrastructure coupled with poor maintenance of existing infrastructure. Lack of policies and legislation on transport and disability as well as poor implementation was also common among African countries.

Conclusion: The transport barriers identified in this study provide insights into what people with disability are experiencing in accessing public transport and guide policymakers and city planners in providing universally accessible transportation.


Keywords

public transport; transport barriers; people with disability; universally accessible transport; accessibility; Africa

JEL Codes

L91: Transportation: General; R40: General; R41: Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion • Travel Time • Safety and Accidents • Transportation Noise; R42: Government and Private Investment Analysis • Road Maintenance • Transportation Planning

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities

Metrics

Total abstract views: 4757
Total article views: 9669

 

Crossref Citations

1. The power of community: Perspectives from women with disabilities on making healthcare journeys in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Dhita de La Roche, Angela Curl, Helen Fitt
Journal of Transport Geography  vol: 124  first page: 104182  year: 2025  
doi: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2025.104182

2. Barriers and facilitators experienced by wheelchair users when using minibus taxis in Africa: A scoping review
Jerome P. Fredericks, Surona Visagie, Lana van Niekerk
African Journal of Disability  vol: 14  year: 2025  
doi: 10.4102/AJOD.v14i0.1701

3. Evaluating export performance barriers: a pairwise comparison of grand challenges in Ghana and Nigeria
Adah-Kole Emmanuel Onjewu, Saeyeon Roh, Richard Nyuur, Michael Nkrumah, Diana Owusu-Yirenkyi, Daniel Ofori
Entrepreneurship & Regional Development  first page: 1  year: 2026  
doi: 10.1080/08985626.2026.2633376

4. Evaluation of The Effects of Laboratory Values, Oxidation Parameters, Scoring Systems, and Ventricular Diameter Measurements on Prognosis in Patients Diagnosed with APE in The Emergency Department
Mustafa Avcı, Nalan Kozacı
Global Emergency and Critical Care  year: 2025  
doi: 10.4274/globecc.galenos.2024-65365

5. Safety and accessibility for persons with disabilities in the Swedish transport system – prioritization and conceptual boundaries
Camilla Warnicke, Ann-Catrin Kristianssen
Disability & Society  vol: 39  issue: 9  first page: 2357  year: 2024  
doi: 10.1080/09687599.2023.2215398

6. Accessibility of public transport for people with disabilities: a systematic literature review
Juan L. Elorduy, Angel M. Gento
Transport  vol: 40  issue: 1  first page: 74  year: 2025  
doi: 10.3846/transport.2025.23562

7. Navigating the challenges of public transport and urban mobility in Thohoyandou, South Africa
Tracey J.M. McKay, Babra Duri, Ashley Gunter
Journal of Transport and Supply Chain Management  vol: 18  year: 2024  
doi: 10.4102/JTSCM.v18i0.1054

8. Inclusive education pandemic: Learning barriers for children with disabilities in South Africa
Raymond Chirowamhangu
African Journal of Disability  vol: 13  year: 2024  
doi: 10.4102/ajod.v13i0.1462

9. The journey from home: Experiences of persons with disabilities of the urban transport system in Accra Metropolis, Ghana
Prince Kwame Odame, Enoch F. Sam, Esther Yeboah Danso-Wiredu, Samuel Kweku Hayford, Elizabeth Kanini Wamuchiru, Adams Osman, Michael Munene
African Transport Studies  vol: 3  first page: 100047  year: 2025  
doi: 10.1016/j.aftran.2025.100047

10. Transport poverty and social equity in South Africa: Evidence from the national household travel survey
Noleen M. Pisa, Chinh Q. Ho, Rose Luke, Gert Heyns, Joash Mageto, Chengete Chakamera
Research in Transportation Economics  vol: 117  first page: 101735  year: 2026  
doi: 10.1016/j.retrec.2026.101735

11. Assessing Accessibility of Transport and Universal Access in the City of Tshwane Using Expert Opinion
Babra Duri, Rose Luke
Social Sciences  vol: 13  issue: 12  first page: 690  year: 2024  
doi: 10.3390/socsci13120690

12. Service Quality Barriers Encountered in Urban Public Transport by People with Disability in South Africa
Babra Duri, Rose Luke
Social Sciences  vol: 14  issue: 6  first page: 366  year: 2025  
doi: 10.3390/socsci14060366

13. The potential and challenges of an online Bible study group for persons with disabilities
Talia Opperman, Michelle Botha
African Journal of Disability  vol: 14  year: 2025  
doi: 10.4102/ajod.v14i0.1721

14. Inclusion of People With Disabilities in Public Transportation: A Case-Study Analysis of Canada and U.S. Policies
Delphine Labbé, Daryl Patrick Yao, Tyrone Scales, Heather McCain, William C. Miller, W. Ben Mortenson
Journal of Disability Policy Studies  year: 2025  
doi: 10.1177/10442073251370266

15. A qualitative exploration of community mobility experiences of wheelchair users
Jerome P. Fredericks, Surona Visagie, Lana van Niekerk
African Journal of Disability  vol: 13  year: 2024  
doi: 10.4102/ajod.v13i0.1253

16. Experience-based suggestions for improving accessibility of minibus taxis for wheelchair users
Jerome P. Fredericks, Surona Visagie, Lana Van Niekerk
African Journal of Disability  vol: 14  year: 2025  
doi: 10.4102/ajod.v14i0.1699