Background
Road traffic deaths and injuries remain a leading cause of premature mortality in the Mano River
Union (MRU) countries: Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire. As part of the Global
Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030, Target 1 mandates that
all countries
establish a comprehensive, multisectoral national road safety strategy with measurable
targets and supporting institutions.
Objective
This project, is part of RSAI advocacy efforts and it is designed and undertaken to evaluates the
progress of the four MRU countries against 14 indicators under Target 1, focused on
institutional structure, data systems, and sustainable financing. The findings aim to inform
national policymakers, transport ministries, and donor partners of critical gaps and recommended
reforms.
Assessment Framework: Target 1
Indicators
A. Institutional Foundations
- A1.1.1 Lead Agency
designated and secretariat established
- A1.1.2 Legal status
of Secretariat confirmed
B. Strategy and Partnerships
- B1.2.1 Projects for
implementation identified
- B1.2.2 Partnerships
and coalitions functioning
- B1.2.3 Crash data
collection system proposals in place
C. Data and Analysis
- C1.3.1 Road
safety/traffic unit operational
- C1.3.2 National
tracking of injuries and deaths by road user type
- C1.3.3 Blackspot
analysis and remedial actions
- C1.3.4 Fatal crash
investigations normalized
- C1.3.5 Reporting
systems for traffic deaths and injuries
D. Targets, Budgeting, and Financing
- D1.4.1 SMART
national road safety targets defined and monitored
- D1.5.1 Annual and
medium-term road safety budgeting in place
- D1.6.1 Funding
sources for road safety identified
- D1.6.2 Dedicated
road safety financing established
Findings: Country-by-Country Evaluation
| Indicator |
Liberia |
Sierra Leone |
Guinea |
Côte d’Ivoire |
| Lead agency exists |
✅ Partial |
✅ Yes |
❌ Weak |
✅ Yes |
| Legal mandate |
❌ Not established |
✅ Yes |
❌ No |
✅ Yes |
| Strategy & projects defined |
✅ Yes |
✅ Partial |
❌ Limited |
✅ Yes |
| Data systems & analysis |
❌ Weak |
❌ Inconsistent |
❌ Non-existent |
✅ Emerging |
| SMART targets & monitoring |
❌ Weak |
❌ Outdated |
❌ Absent |
✅ Defined |
| Budgeting & sustainable financing |
❌ Irregular |
❌ Limited |
❌ Absent |
✅ Basic mechanisms |
Key Observations
- Côte d’Ivoire is the only MRU country with a legally mandated lead agency (OSER), a
national strategy with measurable targets, and developing data systems.
- Liberia and Sierra Leone have foundational frameworks but lack legal
institutionalization and funding sustainability.
- Guinea adopted a strategy in 2021 but lacks functional institutional and monitoring
infrastructure.
Recommendations
- Formalize the Legal Mandate of Lead Agencies: Governments should expedite the legal
establishment and empowerment of national road safety agencies.
- Set and Monitor SMART Targets: All countries must define quantifiable road safety
targets and track performance through regular reporting.
- Strengthen Data Systems: Establish national crash data systems that capture location,
severity, and user-type information for use in policy planning.
- Secure Sustainable Financing: Allocate dedicated funding in national budgets and explore
donor-backed financing for implementation.
- Institutionalize Crash Investigations and Blackspot Remediation: These practices should
become standard in road safety operations.
Conclusion
The Decade of Action is halfway through. Without urgent institutional and financial reform,
MRU countries risk falling short of the SDG 3.6 target.
Strengthening the foundational elements of Target 1 is not optional—it is the gateway to
saving lives and building safer transport systems for all.
