This report, commissioned by the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group and conducted by Africa E-Mobility Alliance (AfEMA), assesses the challenges and opportunities for integrating gender into South Africa’s public transport sector,
particularly in the transition to electric mobility (e-mobility). It highlights the importance of gender mainstreaming as a strategic intervention to achieve a just and inclusive transition to electric public transport, including city buses and minibus
taxis (MBTs).

While South Africa has made strides in gender equality and climate action, the intersection of these efforts remains underdeveloped. National policies like the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 and Public Transport Subsidy Policy address
inclusivity but lack specific gender-focused frameworks for e-mobility. This study focused on women as a key underrepresented group, acknowledging that many of the challenges they face are also shared by other marginalised communities, including the elderly, unemployed individuals, and persons with disabilities. While these groups were not a specific focus of this research, their experiences within public transport systems, both as users and workers, and their lack of
representation in decision-making roles, are recognised as critical areas for future investigation.

This report reviews the international, regional, national, and city-specific policies of the following South African C40 city members: Cape Town, Ekurhuleni, eThekwini (Durban), Johannesburg, and Tshwane.