Rwanda’s ambitious plan to electrify 20 percent of its bus fleet by 2030 will require significant investment in energy infrastructure, clear policy frameworks, and innovative financing, according to a new World Bank report. The study, Exploring Enabling Energy Frameworks for Electric Mobility in Rwanda, evaluates the readiness of the power sector to support the transition, with a particular focus on battery electric buses.
Prepared under the Rwanda Urban Mobility Improvement Project (RUMI) with support from the World Bank’s Quality Infrastructure Investment (QII) Partnership and Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), the report provides detailed analysis of electricity demand, charging infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks. It also recommends ways to align Rwanda’s energy and transport systems in a coordinated and sustainable manner.
Rwanda has already positioned itself as a regional leader in electric mobility. Building on early investments in Kigali, where private operators have introduced electric buses and charging stations, the government has committed that all new buses in the capital will be electric. To drive this vision, Ecofleet Solutions, a state-owned enterprise, has been established to modernize public transport with smart, green mobility solutions. These efforts are anchored in Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and its commitments under the Paris Agreement.
World Bank Country Manager for Rwanda, Sahr Kpundeh, emphasized that electric mobility goes beyond cleaner transport, serving as a foundation for a modern economy powered by sustainable energy. However, the report warns that scaling up electric mobility will put pressure on the electricity grid if not carefully managed. Kigali’s peak power demand is already projected to rise by 64 percent by 2030, even without electric vehicles, and additional demand could quadruple the number of overloaded power lines.
Smart charging emerges as a key solution, with the potential to reduce distribution network stress by up to 15 percent by shifting charging to off-peak hours and aligning it with solar generation. Tarek Keskes, World Bank ESMAP Energy Specialist, noted that Rwanda can achieve its e-mobility goals if smart charging, cost-reflective tariffs, and integrated planning are prioritized.
The report highlights pricing reforms as another critical area. Current industrial-rate billing for electric vehicle charging does not adequately account for costs and risks. Cost-reflective, time-of-use tariffs are recommended to incentivize efficient charging practices. Stronger coordination among institutions is also essential, with a call for a unified roadmap and a sustainable transport working group to ensure collaborative implementation.
Recommendations also include integrating EV charging into national electricity pricing, mandating EV-ready infrastructure in new buildings and major renovations, and upgrading grids at transit hubs like Nyabugogo Terminal, complemented by rooftop solar and battery storage. The report further stresses the importance of battery waste management regulations and Extended Producer Responsibility schemes to support recycling.
Financing remains a critical element, with opportunities in blended finance, public-private partnerships, and green bonds identified to mobilize the required resources. Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Jimmy Gasore, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing e-mobility as part of its climate and development agenda.
The report concludes that Rwanda is well-positioned to lead Africa in electric mobility development, but stresses that success will depend on strong coordination between energy and transport policies, coupled with sustainable financing and regulatory innovation.
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