As the UITP Global Public Transport Summit 2026 was initially scheduled to take place in Dubai from 21 to 23 April, the Middle East and North Africa region was preparing to be positioned at the centre of the global public transport agenda. Hashem Alhendawi, Head of MENA, UITPHashem Alhendawi: transit shift in MENA regionWhat is the biggest shift in public transport across MENA right now – and what is driving it most? The most successful approaches we see are actually hybrid ones: strong public oversight combined with room for private innovation. Buses are backbone of public transport in MENABuses remain the backbone of public transport in many MENA cities. We expect autonomy to develop along two tracks: robotaxi-style services in flexible or lower-density contexts, and driverless technology integrated into public transport on high-capacity corridors.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 25, 2026 14:31 UTC