Prof Rose Luke Director The Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies (Africa) was established in response to the industry’s need for independent, unbiased, relevant, and up-to-date research. ITLS (Africa) has, at its core, the skills, experience and network as well as a long history of providing research excellence to both the public and private sectors, in topics ranging from policy and government strategy to various customised transport solutions in all modes of transport. This maximises the impact of transport and supply chain research on the South African society and economy, ITLS (Africa) provides specialist high-level research services for both the private and public sectors, focusing on the most urgent research priorities in the country. Numerous research papers were published in 2025. The Smart Mobility Research Group explores the dynamic intersection of advanced technologies, public transport modal integration, and sustainability to deliver socio-technical solutions for transport systems in emerging cities. Its research also addresses critical themes in smart logistics and sustainability in Africa, making it a vital hub for innovative and impactful scholarship in the region. Current themes include smart mobility and quality of life, socioeconomic impact, ethics. INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS STUDIES (AFRICA) ITLS (AFRICA) School of Management The Urban Mobility in Emerging Markets Research Group focuses on urban transport and travel behaviour and their links to urban planning, environmental research, applied psychology, public health, and related fields. It addresses the evidence gap for the Global South, where rapid urbanisation, sprawl, infrastructure deficits, and user needs are under-represented in the literature relative to high-income contexts. The group strengthened its postdoctoral cohort in 2025 with the appointments of Dr Evance Moyo, Dr Gideon Tutuka, and Dr Eunice Kagure as PDRFs as well as the recruitment of a new PhD student Martha Polla. The group secured a new Erasmus+ grant of €37,000, titled D-PEERS (Digital Pathways for Education, Empowerment, and Resilient Skills). The project seeks to transform digital education by driving innovation through partnerships with higher education institutions, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Its main goal is to reduce the digital divide by tackling offline learning challenges faced by underprivileged and rural students and ensuring equitable access to essential learning resources. Going forward, ITLS (Africa) will focus on the management of ongoing relationships, consolidation and development of research associates, strengthening internal research groups and external projects. 66 College of Business and Economics | Annual Report 2025
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