The Sustainability of North-South Transfer Technology in Public Transportation: Theory and Practice in Sub-Saharan Africa

This article examines North-South transfer technology (TT) and its implications for transportation in developing countries. The focus is on the sub-Saharan African region. Of special interest are: the rationale, composition, main conduits, principal actors, and sustainability implications, of TT. Technology transfer in transportation is considered the source of a deluge of problems. The most potent of these problems include, ineffective and costly transportation services, insensitivity to the mobility needs of women and rural populations, high levels of unemployment, and unnecessary dependence. Reversing the situation will entail not only the ability to judge the suitability of any given technology to local conditions, but also the willingness to adapt technology to its host environment. It is argued that efforts to adapt technology possess the potential of making significant positive contributions to development, especially by creating job opportunities, lowering the cost of transportation and related services and promoting efficiency in resource utilization.