Rwanda to ban registration of petrol motorcycles for use as taxis

Source: The Heritage Times

Minister of Infrastructure, Jimmy Gasore, announced the ban which aims “to promote the use of cleaner, more efficient energy and reduce gas emissions“.

Rwanda has announced plans to discontinue the registration of petrol-powered motorbike taxis starting next year, as part of its efforts to transition to electric vehicles (EVs). According to Minister of Infrastructure Jimmy Gasore, the initiative aims to promote cleaner energy use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

This policy will apply specifically to motorbike taxis operating in Kigali, where they are a primary mode of public transportation. Rwanda has introduced various incentives to encourage electrification, such as reduced electricity costs for charging, and tax exemptions for battery manufacturers.

Government estimates indicate that the country has approximately 110,000 motorbikes, of which 70,000 are used as taxis, including 30,000 in Kigali.

Eve Kayiranga, manager of SAFI Universal Link, a Rwandan company specialising in electric bikes, described the move as a “significant step forward for a greener city.” She highlighted its role in reducing emissions and supporting the development of e-mobility infrastructure.

Drivers have also expressed support for the shift to electric motorbikes. Alfonse Mbarabuceye, 32, reported a 50% increase in his daily income since transitioning from a petrol-powered bike in 2022. “It has significantly reduced the cost of maintaining the bike, as all I have to do now is change its battery once or twice a day,” he noted.

According to the UN Environment Programme, transportation is the fastest-growing source of global greenhouse gas emissions and is projected to contribute over 30% of future emissions. It is also a major source of short-lived climate pollutants.

Rwanda has set ambitious goals for its electrification strategy, aiming to have 20% of buses, 30% of motorcycles, and 8% of cars powered by electricity by 2030. These efforts are part of the country’s broader objective to achieve carbon neutrality.