The Rwandan government announced on Monday a ban on the registration of gasoline-powered Motorcycle taxis from 2025 in Kigali, a measure aimed at accelerating the adoption of electric mobility. Motorcycle taxis are the most common means of transport in Rwanda and represent, according to the Ministry of Infrastructure, more than 50% of the country’s fleet.
The aim of banning the registration of gasoline-powered motorcycle taxis in the capital is “to promote the use of cleaner and more efficient energy and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” he said. Rwandan Infrastructure Minister Jimmy Gasore told AFP.
“This will help accelerate the adoption of electric mobility by providing incentives for electric motorcycles and their charging infrastructure, as well as raising public awareness of the benefits of using electric motorcycles.”
The authorities estimate that there are some 110,000 motorcycles in Rwanda. 70,000 of them are used as taxis. Eve Kayiranga, manager of the electric motorcycle company SAFI, welcomed to AFP a “significant step forward for greener mobility”.
Rwanda has put in place several measures to promote electric mobility, including reducing the price of electricity to recharge motorcycles and tax benefits for companies producing batteries.
Interviewed by AFP, Alfonse Mbarabuceye, a 32-year-old driver, estimated that his income had improved considerably since he swapped his gasoline motorcycle for an electric one in 2022. “This has considerably reduced the cost of motorcycle maintenance. Now I only need to change the battery once or twice a day,” he said.
