ECOWAS training on inspection framework for used vehicles

UNEP’s work on cleaner mobility within sub–Saharan Africa spans about 20 years eradicating the use of lead in gasoline and presently pursuing low Sulphur fuels and Euro 4/IV equivalent vehicle emissions standards. As part of this work, in September 2020, the 15-member states of the ECOWAS adopted the first regionally harmonized directives on fuels and both new and used vehicle in Africa. The vehicles directive required that imported new and used petrol and diesel vehicles comply with a minimum EURO 4/IV equivalent emission standard from January 2021. An age limit of 5-years for light vehicles and 10-years for heavy duty vehicles. 

As a follow up to the enactment of these directives, the ECOWAS commission in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire and United Nations Environment Programme organized a training on the framework for inspection and monitoring of used vehicles imported into the ECOWAS region on 12-14 April 2022, in Abidjan Cote d’Ivoire. Representatives from ECOWAS Member States, Kenya, South Africa, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Economic Commissions for Europe (UNECE) and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), as well as the staff of the Directorates in charge of Environment, Transport and Energy in Cote ‘Ivoire attended the training.

The three-day training provided the participants with theoretical and practical knowledge of the key elements for vehicle inspection and monitoring. The participants also provided input to the draft guideline for the inspection of imported used vehicles to ensure they comply to the ECOWAS directives and are cleaner and safer.  The final day provided participants with a practical demonstration of car inspection at the SICTA inspection site in Abidjan. 

This work contributes to the delivery of the "Safer and cleaner vehicles for Africa" project funded by the UN Road Safety Fund.