The Department of Transport (DoT) will host its inaugural National Transport Conference (NTC) from March 16 to 18, 2026, in Johannesburg. This will take place under the theme “Transport: The Driver for Growth, Job Creation, Inclusivity and Sustainability.”

The conference provides an opportunity for interaction, engagement and constructive networking with decision-makers, investors and innovators – all under one roof – discussing how to build a sustainable transport system that works for the economy and job creation.

Led by the Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy and the Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa, the conference will be opened by the President of the Republic, President Cyril Ramaphosa who will speak on the role of transport in growing the economy and developing people.

Various international and local speakers, including Ministers, CEOs, researchers and government officials will not only discuss current global and regional risks, and the mitigation thereof, but also explore global trends in smart, green, integrated and automated transport, driven by AI, IoT, and real-time data to optimise logistics. This is in addition to discussions on leadership and governance, and the role of public-private partnerships in the resolution of funding constraints in South Africa and the Southern African Development Community region. 

Strategic Importance

Given the role of transport as a facilitator of economic growth and an enabler of social development, the conference will tackle the sector’s most pressing issues such as:

1. Modernising failing passenger rail systems
2. Resolving port and freight bottlenecks
3. Improving road safety to save lives
4. Clearing infrastructure backlogs
5. Meeting climate and sustainability targets

Addressing these challenges requires bold thinking and collaboration. It demands a shared national agenda where every role-player ̶ government, industry, academia and investors –works together.

The conference is therefore open to all role-players who want to invest their ideas in a better regional and South African transport system. Researchers will gain a platform to present studies that influence national policy. Businesses will discover opportunities to partner on infrastructure projects or introduce new technologies.

Transport operators will access critical insights on regulations, funding models, and innovation. Academics will find networks for collaboration. Policymakers and officials will share thoughts with their international counterparts on best practices.

Breakaway Sessions

The conference will have five breakaway sessions led by experts. These sessions will explore the following subjects:

1. Freight and rail reform: enabling private sector participation towards reaching the 2030 targets of 250-million tonnes of freight and 600-million passenger rail trips.
2. Port modernisation: enhancing global competitiveness and efficiency through infrastructure and technology upgrades.
3. Regulatory reform: improving competitiveness and efficiency. Creating a single regulator for road, rail, ports and aviation to boost competition, manage tariffs and improve efficiency.
4. Aviation and tourism: facilitating regional integration, innovation, job creation, tourism and regional economic growth.
5. Resilience and sustainability: improving transport infrastructure and system preparedness for risks and ensuring the sustainability of transport operations through decarbonisation, efficiency, cleaner technologies and growing public transport.  
6. Safety: effectively implementing the safe systems approach to save lives in the transport environment, ensuring the safety of public transport and achieving 50% reduction in road fatalities by 2030.   
7. Professionalising public transport: transforming and formalising public transport, improving regulation and governance, adopting new technologies and data-driven optimisation, developing accessible infrastructure, ensuring socially, economically and environmentally sustainable operations.
8. Intergovernmental relations: enhancing intergovernmental relations for effective coordination, planning and budgeting towards efficient infrastructure and optimum transport services.
9. Financial viability and funding models: Strengthening the financial sustainability of transport entities, implementing regulatory reforms (improving competitiveness and efficiency), finding ways to increase maintenance budgets, opening the sector for private sector investments in infrastructure, technologies and operations and exploring blended finance options.

Exhibitions

The conference will showcase the following cutting-edge technological advancements in the exhibition:

Smart mobility & AI: Integrated, on-demand transport and AI-powered traffic management.

Green energy: Alternative fuels and sustainable supporting infrastructure.

Digital infrastructure: Virtual models and simulations for traffic management.

Advanced logistics: Port automation and AI-driven freight optimisation.

Safety solutions: AI-driven violation cameras and advanced warning systems.

Key outcomes from the conference will comprise of policy-aligned sector commitments, the establishment of new public-private partnerships, improved intergovernmental coordination, and the acceleration of priority transport projects.