The existing transport infrastructure of africa originates from the colonial era and does not meet current needs. The transport system is oriented from the interior towards the coastal region using long routes, thus leading to excessive consumption of resources in thetransport sector. as part of a strategy for economic integration and co-ordinated policies to promote and support overall development in africa, it has become necessary to restructure the transport system. A global strategy and a plan of action for the development of transport and communications in africa was incorporated in a programme and a united nations transport and communications decade for africa (1978-1988) was proclaimed by the un general assembly. The principalgoals of the strategy during the decade were: to promote integration of transport infrastructure to increase intra-african trade; to ensure co-ordination and efficiency of various transport systems; to open up land-locked countries; to harmonize regulations to facilitatemovement of goods; to stimulate use of local human and material resources and to restructure the transport system to ensure optimum conditions. As the lead agency, the economic commission for africa carried out the decade programme in two phases: phase i (1980-1983) with1091 projects costing us$ 15.4 million, and phase ii (1984-1988) with 1048 projects costing us$ 18.3 million. Significant results have been achieved during the decade in all modes of transport: road, rail, inland waterways maritime and air transport. In spite of these results, the objectives of the decade have not all been attained by any means. The physical integration of the transport system and flow of goods has not been completed and they do not operate smoothly. Incomplete infrastructure and administrative and legal formalities impede the movement of traffic across borders. A lot remains to be done to fully achieve the decade's objectives. On the basis of the globalevaluation of the untacda programme, the sixth meeting of the conference of african ministers of transport, communications and planningin march 1988 re:quested the united nations to declare a second decade in africa, during which the development objectives would be accomplished. (a).
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