Africa is clearly and without any doubt (generally speaking) the most underdeveloped continent in the world. The question of global warming is, however, also affecting it; maybe even more than most other countries in the world. And while there are no serious possibilities for establishing electric transport anytime soon, African countries must find different routes to sustainable transport. One is gas.

21. of December was a break-through day for Africa and particularly Ivory Coast, which has received the keys to first ever gas-powered bus in Africa. This has marked a first step in fulfilling the goal/program to renew country’s public transport fleet with new, environment-friendly means of transport. This can be traced back to 2016, when government presented the plan and also to January 2017, when a deal for delivering 450 buses has been made with Iveco, who is going to provide the vehicles.

"The acquisition of these vehicles is a first for Africa and a key step in our willing to improve transport services and the quality of life of transport users in Abidjan. To continue this momentum, the Ivorian government has decided to put in place a Development and Financing Plan for a nationwide public transport network, with its trusted partner Iveco as the standard-setter in natural gas vehicles," said Amadou Gon Coulibaly, Prime Minister of Ivory Coast, who has also been one of the guests at the ceremony.

As mentioned, 450 Crealis buses are going to be delivered; 50 of them being equipped with CNG-powered engines. Their advantage is 60 percent reduction in NOx gasses and 15 percent reduction of CO2 gasses compared to their diesel-powered equivalents, while also providing only a small quantity of fine-particle emissions. Let us hope, the rest of Africa is going to follow Ivory coast soon.