About RIDE
Research on Infrastructure in Developing Economies (RIDE) is a UK-funded research and policy platform advancing sustainable transport infrastructure and services in low- and middle-income countries in Africa and South and South-East Asia.
Objectives
Research that leads to action
Our ambition: to turn world-class research into policy change, lasting improvements in transport systems, and the lives of the people who depend on them. From the outset, RIDE projects consider how evidence can inform decision-making and translate into systemic change.
RIDE is a voluntary contribution by UK International Development to the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026–2035).
Policy engagement and technical guidance
Supporting the use of research in policies, standards, guidelines and infrastructure practice.
Communities of Practice
Connecting researchers, practitioners and policymakers to exchange knowledge and develop solutions.
Partnerships and collaboration
Building relationships that let research findings be adopted and scaled.
Knowledge sharing
Communicating evidence through events, webinars and other accessible formats.
Capacity building
Strengthening skills, institutions and networks for long-term impact.
Funders and co-funders
A collaborative funding partnership
UK International Development, representing the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) provide primary funding and strategic direction. Co-financing comes from the Shell Foundation and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), alongside parallel funding from Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC).
Primary funder
UK International Development (FCDO)
Primary funder
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)
Co-financer
Shell Foundation
Co-financer
German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Parallel funding
International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada
Implementation partners
A global network of expertise
Applied research and technical expertise
Applied research, technical expertise, training and capacity building, including study tours.
WRI
TRL
TfL
GIZ
Academic research excellence
University networks connected through thematic partnerships.
TRiP – 8 UK universities, led by Durham
TransCAP – 8 African universities, led by KNUST
MPF-infra – ODI Global, Oxford, SOAS, UCL
Transport innovation
The Transport Innovation Hub supports transport start-ups that raise low incomes while advancing low-carbon transport.
Shell Foundation (lead and co-funder)
Skills development and leadership
Research on skills and a Transport Leadership Masters, plus the Senior Transport Executive Programme (STEP).
IDRC
KNUST
TransCAP
TRiP
Programme coordination and uptake
Secretariat, governance, research uptake, communication and dissemination.
GIZ
Governance
How RIDE is run
GIZ hosts the RIDE secretariat and governance arrangements. Through its Partnership Pillar, RIDE coordinates research uptake, external engagement, communication and dissemination.
RIDE Secretariat
Hosted by GIZ.
FCDO Reference Group (MPF-infra)
Southern Ambassadors
Our voices in partner countries
Building on a strong research legacy
RIDE builds on two UK-funded applied research programmes – the Research for Community Access Partnership (ReCAP) and the High Volume Transport (HVT) Applied Research Programme – carrying forward their research, knowledge and partnerships.