Mobility, Transport and Older People’s Well-Being in Sub-Saharan Africa: Review and Prospect

Abstract

This chapter presents a review of the very limited research on older people’s mobility and transport needs in urban and rural contexts across Anglophone countries in sub-Saharan Africa. This is followed by reflections on recent mixed-methods research conducted through an NGO—academic collaboration with older people in rural Tanzania. Three themes given particular emphasis are, firstly, the significance of relationality in mobilities research with older people—other family and community members may substantially contribute to the shaping of older people’s mobile lives; secondly, the importance of exploring potential new connectivities associated with mobile phone and motorcycle-taxi usage among older people which may improve their well-being; and thirdly the value of taking a co-investigation approach to research with older community members. The final portion of the chapter is concerned with identification of significant research gaps where mobilities/transport-focused research with older people in sub-Saharan Africa is urgently needed.