27 April 2021- Ministry of Infrastructure together with Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) and GGGI Rwanda organised the inaugural E-mobility Technology Showcase at Kigali Convention Center (KCC) aimed to showcase the current and emerging technology options for e-mobility that are available in Rwanda. The event was an opportunity for participants to demonstrate the power and potential of sustainable transport to create jobs, grow the economy an improve health outcomes for all.

The event attracted different Government institutions, private sector and different partners in E-Mobility investment.

Speaking at the event, the Director General for Transport, Eng. Alfred Byiringiro mentioned that Rwanda’s Government approved a new set of incentives that will help meet these goals. The new incentives are meant to catalyze the adoption of electric vehicles.

He also mentioned that Rwanda updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) which outlines the importance of electric vehicles and the enforcement of vehicle emission standards as key mitigation measures on the path to reduce greenhouse gases.

DG Byiringiro said that the incentives are expected to serve Rwanda’s long-term goal to be a carbon-neutral nation as articulated in its Vision 2050.

 “The incentives will also play a role to mobilize investment into the e-mobility sector which has fast emerged as a top sector on demand”, he said.

In a presentation made by a representative of RDB, it was highlighted that Rwanda is actively encouraging investment in the e-mobility sector. RDB outlined some of the initiatives to encourage investment of this kind including a preferential corporate income tax rate of 15% for investors operating in e-mobility. Firms operating in the energy, ITC, and mass transport industries also qualify.

There are already several firms in the E-mobility space in Rwanda and the new incentives are expected to give them a major boost.

Some of the firms that were exhibiting at the E-Mobility Technology Showcase  included Guraride, Volkswagen Rwanda, Victoria Motors, Rwanda Electric Motorcycles, Safi Universal Links and Ampersand.

Rwanda’s new incentives are quite comprehensive and will certainly help catalyze the transition to electric mobility which may encourage more countries in the region to follow with similar incentives.