Grace Ashiru
Beginning in January 2025, the government will cease the registration of petrol-powered motorcycles for public transport in Kigali, reserving registration exclusively for electric motorbikes. This move aligns with the government’s broader commitment to promoting sustainable mobility.
The Ministry of Infrastructure confirmed this decision as part of its efforts to encourage cleaner and greener transportation solutions.
“We will not register petrol motorbikes for public transport in Kigali. Only electric ones will be considered for commercial public transport,” stated Jimmy Gasore, Minister of Infrastructure, in an interview with The New Times.
Gasore highlighted the advantages of the initiative, emphasising that Kigali’s e-motorbike market and infrastructure are now sufficiently developed to support this transition effectively.
The minister clarified that the new policy will not affect existing petrol-powered motorbikes, which will continue to operate without disruption. “This is why we foresee no negative economic impact,” he added.
The measure also aims to discourage the importation of non-electric motorbikes for public transport, aligning with Rwanda’s broader e-mobility strategy.
Juliet Kabera, Director General of the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), underscored the environmental benefits of the initiative, highlighting that electric motorbikes produce zero emissions.
“There are already many stakeholders within the electric motorcycle ecosystem. Electric bikes are not only eco-friendly but also affordable,” Kabera noted, referencing a pilot project that involved retrofitting petrol motorbikes with electric components. In this project, engines, exhaust systems, and chains were replaced with electric alternatives.
The minister clarified that the new policy will not affect existing petrol-powered motorbikes, which will continue operating without disruption. “This is why we anticipate no negative economic impact,” he explained.
In addition to limiting new registrations, the measure also aims to discourage the importation of non-electric motorbikes for public transport, aligning with Rwanda’s broader e-mobility strategy.
Juliet Kabera, Director General of the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), highlighted the environmental advantages of the shift, stressing that electric motorbikes produce zero emissions.
“There are already numerous stakeholders in the electric motorcycle ecosystem. Electric bikes are not only eco-friendly but also affordable,” Kabera stated. She also referenced a pilot project where petrol motorbikes were retrofitted with electric components, replacing engines, exhausts, and chains with electric alternatives.
In June 2021, Rwanda, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), initiated a phased transition from petrol-powered motorbikes to electric alternatives. This initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat air pollution.
At the time, more than 100,000 motorbikes were registered across the country, with 46,000 operating as moto-taxis, including 26,000 in Kigali alone. These motorbikes have been identified as significant contributors to poor air quality and environmental degradation.
A recent study on scaling up electric motorbikes in Rwanda revealed potential annual savings of Rwf9 billion, attributed to reduced fuel imports.
Currently, Rwanda spends around Rwf23 billion annually on fuel imports. By transitioning to electric motorbikes, the cost would drop to Rwf14 billion annually for electricity, which is produced domestically.
In Kigali, approximately 20% of all trips are made using petrol-fueled motorbike taxis, which are significant contributors to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. To address this, Rwanda’s Climate and Nature Finance Strategy (CNFS), launched on October 17, sets an ambitious goal to reduce emissions by 38% by 2030. The strategy includes measures to attract green investments, such as offering tax incentives to encourage private sector participation in climate-friendly initiatives.
Proposed incentives under the CNFS include subsidies for electric vehicles, levies on high-emission vehicles, and adjustments to fuel taxes.
As part of its commitment to lowering greenhouse gas emissions, Rwanda has already implemented incentives to accelerate the transition. These include zero-rated import duties on electric and hybrid vehicles, aimed at encouraging the adoption of electric cars and motorbikes, according to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.
