RSAI Concludes 2026 Operational Planning Retreat and Confirms Transition to Social Enterprise Model
Monrovia, Liberia | January 2026
Road Safety Action International (RSAI) has successfully concluded its 2026 Annual Operational Planning Retreat, held from January 4–9, 2026, marking a major institutional milestone as the organization formally enters a new phase of growth through the adoption of a mission-driven social enterprise operating model.
The retreat—an established annual planning ritual for RSAI—brought together leadership and program teams to review organizational performance, assess the evolving road safety landscape, and define a clear strategic direction for 2026 and beyond. This year's exercise carried particular significance, as it consolidated decisions reached through extensive internal reflection, performance reviews, and long-term strategic planning.
Following years of operational experience across Liberia and the wider region, RSAI recognized the limitations of a predominantly donor-dependent NGO structure in sustaining technical excellence, institutional credibility, and long-term impact. While the traditional NGO model supported early advocacy and pilot interventions, it increasingly constrained RSAI's ability to respond at scale, retain specialized expertise, and finance continuous delivery in a rapidly evolving road safety environment.
As a result, RSAI has resolved to transition into a mission-driven social enterprise, a model designed to strengthen financial sustainability, professional rigor, and delivery discipline—while remaining firmly anchored in public-interest objectives.
Under this model, RSAI will generate ethical, mission-aligned revenue through technical services, reinvesting all surplus into road safety programs, research, and capacity development. This approach enhances resilience, reduces over-reliance on short-term donor funding, and positions RSAI as a credible implementation and advisory partner to governments, development partners, and the private sector.
The retreat confirmed a new operational framework built around three integrated technical and delivery pillars:
1. Awareness and Education – focusing on structured driver training, public education, and capacity development for institutions and transport service operators.
2. Policy and Sustainable Mobility – providing technical advisory support, policy analysis, and advocacy to strengthen national and sub-national road safety and mobility systems.
3. Technical Audit and Inspection – delivering professional services in road safety audits, inspections, assessments, data collection, and infrastructure safety advisory.
Two cross-cutting enablers—Innovation and Internal Governance—will support all program areas. Innovation will drive research, media campaigns, and data-driven solutions, while Internal Governance will function as the organization's control center, ensuring sound financial management, compliance, performance monitoring, and institutional development.
While the new organogram reflects RSAI at full operational maturity, 2026 has been deliberately designated as a foundational year. During this period, all operational staff will function as Project Officers and Project Managers, collectively responsible for initiating, managing, and delivering projects identified during the planning retreat.
This "all-hands-on-deck" approach is intentional. It is designed to embed ownership, agility, accountability, and execution excellence as core organizational values in the first year of the social enterprise model.
Finance and Administration will be significantly strengthened to demonstrate fiduciary discipline and institutional stability, positioning RSAI for competitive project bidding and service contracts. Recruitment for key administrative and logistics roles will follow in line with operational growth.
The 2026 operational year will prioritize:
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This transition does not dilute RSAI's mission—it reinforces it. By aligning sustainability with service delivery, RSAI is strengthening its ability to contribute meaningfully to reducing road traffic injuries and fatalities across Africa.
With the successful conclusion of the retreat, RSAI is now fully operational for 2026, entering the year with renewed clarity, a strengthened institutional framework, and a clear commitment to measurable impact.
For further detailed operational plans, see the 2026 Operational Plan.