We are thrilled to share the exciting news of the active participation of researchers from the Regional Transport Research and Education Centre Kumasi (TRECK) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in the African Cities Lab Summit 2023. The summit, held on May 23rd and 24th, 2023, focused on the theme "Digital and Smart Cities: Datafrication" and brought together a diverse group of stakeholders committed to advancing African cities.

The African Cities Lab 2023 Summit aimed to create a collaborative and intergenerational platform open to global participation. It gathered government representatives, urban professionals, academic researchers, entrepreneurs, and young individuals from around the world to explore the potential of digital and smart cities as innovative models for African urban centres.

Over the course of two days, participants engaged in fruitful discussions on critical topics such as real-time data collection, communication networks for connecting devices and people, data analysis for optimizing urban resource management, and the creation of essential public services. This dialogue took place not only in Sèmè City (Cotonou, Benin) and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (Ben Guérir, Morocco) but also through a dedicated online platform, ensuring broad participation and diverse perspectives.

Researchers from TRECK, KNUST actively contributed to the summit through their presentations delivered at the Amonoo-Neizer Conference Centre, KNUST. The following presentations showcased their expertise and research findings:

• Dr. Augustus Ababio-Donkor: "Sustainable Urban Transport: Non-Motorized Transport - A Case Study of the Port City of Tema"
• Eric Twum Barima: "Assessing the State of Facilities and Operations in Major Bus Terminals in Kumasi"
• Adjei Boateng: "Estimating Passenger Demand Using Machine Learning Models: A Systematic Review"
• Fidelma Ibili: "Measurement of Traffic Noise Levels and Assessment of Its Public Health Risk"
• Samuel Ajayi: "Exposure to Traffic-Related Air Pollution: A Public Health Concern?"
• Simeon Stevenson Turay: "Efficiency-Based Assessment of Inner-City Bus and Paratransit Services for an Integrated Public Transport System in an African City"
• George Ukam: "Investigating Factors Affecting Paratransit Travel Times: Perspectives from Two Paratransit Routes in Kumasi, Ghana

Furthermore, four presentations were made by partners of TRECK through the Transport Logistics and Sustainable Cities Network (TLSCN), further enriching the knowledge exchange:

• Prof. Iléri Dandonougbo, Centre D'excellence Régional Sur Les Villes Durables En Afrique (CERViDA – Dounedon), University of Lome, Togo: "Towards a Predominance of Soft Modes in the Mobility of Populations around the Autonomous Port of Lomé in Togo"
• Marie Louise Simone Nyonkwe Ngo Ndjem, Centre D'excellence Régional Sur Les Villes Durables En Afrique (CERViDA – Dounedon), University of Lome, Togo: "Socio-Economic and Environmental Challenges of Urban Expansion Dynamics in the Southwest Periphery of Yaoundé, Cameroon"
• Moktar Ibrahim Omar, Centre d'Excellence Africain en Logistique, Transport (CEALT) at The University of Djibouti: "Optimization of the Public Transport Network in Djibouti"
• Dr. Ismael Abdillahi Guirreh, Centre d'Excellence Africain en Logistique, Transport (CEALT) at The University of Djibouti: "Influence of Socio-Demographic Factors on the Choice of Mode of Work Trips; Case Study of Djibouti City"

The African Cities Lab Summit provided a valuable platform for exchanging insights and fostering collaborative efforts to shape the future of African cities. We commend the researchers from TRECK for their active involvement and contributions to this significant event.