200 Samoan Women Receive Free Driving & EV Awareness Training

Apia, Samoa –  15 October 2025 – The Women’s Driving License Programme that was officially launched on Friday, 10 October, offered free driving lessons to 200 Samoan women, together with an Electric Vehicle (EV) awareness course.

Held at the Land Transport Authority (LTA) premises in Vaitele, the event brought together training participants, officials from LTA and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Ambassador of Japan. Participants from Savai’i joined the event virtually.

Implemented by LTA, in partnership with UNDP, the Women’s Driving License Programme is part of the Climate Action Pathways for Island Transport (CAP-IT) project, funded by the Government of Japan.

The project supports Samoa’s efforts to decarbonize its transport sector – a critical step as the Pacific faces the intensifying impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels and increasingly severe cyclones, floods, and droughts.

Although Samoa contributes only a fraction to global greenhouse gas emissions, it continues to lead by example, demonstrating that climate ambition must be shared globally. Reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels not only cuts emissions but also strengthens Samoa’s energy security and economic resilience against volatile oil prices.

(l-r) HE Ambassador of Japan to Samoa, Ryotaro Suzuki, LTA CEO, Sagauga Leilani Galuvao & UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Paolo Dalla Stella.

Transport remains the country’s largest emitting sector, and the shift towards electric mobility offers a clear path toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Beyond its environmental goals, the CAP-IT project has also shed light on a persistent gender gap in driving license ownership. Over the past two decades, only one in four driving licenses issued in Samoa have gone to women – a disparity with important social and economic implications.

Mobility means more than just movement; it represents freedom, opportunity, and empowerment.

When women are unable to drive, they face additional barriers to leave their home and access employment, education, and essential services. This programme aims to reduce that gender gap, while also improving road safety by providing formal driving instruction and certification to women who may be driving unlicensed.

“Transport is not just about infrastructure – it’s  about access, opportunity, and equity. When women are equipped to drive, they gain mobility, independence, and a stronger voice in their communities,” said Sagauga Leilani Galuvao, Chief Executive Officer, LTA

“That’s why LTA is pleased to be co-implementing this programme alongside UNDP, with funding from the Government of Japan. This initiative also supports our broader goals: advancing green transport solutions, including electric vehicle training; promoting fair geographic representation across Upolu and Savaii; and fostering long-term inclusion in the transport sector,” she said.

Some of the Upolu participants of the Women’s Driving License Programme.

A recent CAP-IT survey revealed that up to 60% of Samoans expressed interest in purchasing an EV within the next year, with interest higher among men.

To support this, an Electric Vehicle Awareness Course has been integrated into LTA’s driving training. Participants will learn about EV technology, its environmental and health benefits, and its long-term cost advantages, while addressing common misconceptions about performance and safety.

“We aim to help bridge the gender gap while teaching about new forms of transport. As technologies like electric vehicles gain momentum across the islands, it is crucial that everyone – women and men alike – understands the opportunities they bring,” said Paolo Dalla Stella, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP.

The launch of this programme showed high interest among Samoan women, with over 500 applications received in less than a week. To ensure fairness, participants were selected through a public draw for Upolu applicants, where applications exceeded available slots.

This milestone marks another step toward building a more sustainable and inclusive transport future for Samoa.