Kigali’s streets have long been defined by the sound of moto-taxi engines weaving between buses and pedestrians.

These motorcycles are everywhere in the capital and form the backbone of daily mobility, with tens of thousands of drivers relying on them for their income.

That familiar buzz, however, is set to fade. Starting January 2025, the government stopped registering new petrol-powered motorbikes for public transport in Kigali, limiting registration to electric models.

It is a decisive step towards cleaner transport and a milestone in Rwanda’s broader shift to low-emission mobility.

Rwanda was one of the first African countries to pilot electric moto-taxis at scale, working with companies such as Ampersand to introduce e-motorcycles and battery-swap stations.

Lifecycle studies show that electric motorbikes can reduce emissions by about 75% when charged from the grid and by up to 98% when powered by renewables.

For drivers, the switch offers clear economic advantages.

Petrol expenses can exceed eleven dollars a day, while renting a charged battery saves more than five hundred dollars a year.

Batteries typically provide sixty to ninety kilometres of range and can be exchanged in minutes, avoiding the downtime associated with refuelling or maintenance.

Government policy has reinforced this momentum. Rwanda offers tax incentives for electric vehicle investors, including a preferential corporate income tax rate of 15% for firms operating in the e-mobility sector.

Import duties on electric and hybrid vehicles have been reduced to encourage adoption, while emissions standards form part of the country’s climate commitments.

The environmental case is strong. Nearly one fifth of all trips in Kigali are taken on petrol motorbikes, contributing to poor air quality and high fuel imports.

A gradual shift to electric two-wheelers promises cleaner air and reduced spending on imported fuels.

As more vehicles rely on electricity rather than petrol, the capital’s demand profile will change.

Battery-swap stations, charging hubs and retrofitting workshops require reliable power.

The same is true for datacentres, ICT services and business infrastructure that depend on uninterrupted supply.

These pressures coincide with Kigali’s industrial expansion.

The Kigali Special Economic Zone has become the country’s largest industrial hub, hosting around 250 firms across textiles, packaging, machinery, pharmaceuticals and logistics.

Operating for more than fifteen years, the zone has created over 17,000 permanent jobs and continues to attract new investment, reinforcing its role as a driver of national economic growth.

Meeting the needs of this growing urban economy requires an electricity system that can support both variable and constant loads.

Rwanda’s generation mix combines hydropower, thermal plants, solar installations and methane gas projects on Lake Kivu.

Hydropower remains vital but is sensitive to seasonal water flows.

Solar power contributes to daytime supply yet fluctuates throughout the day.

Methane-powered plants provide more stable output but will face increasing pressure as transport, industry and household consumption rise.

Ensuring stable voltage for charging infrastructure, industrial machinery and digital services will demand additional firm capacity.

A range of technologies is being considered to reinforce Kigali’s future supply.

Expanding solar mini-grids can support distributed loads, while further development of methane projects offers continuous output.

Among the emerging options are small modular reactors, compact nuclear systems typically producing up to 300 megawatts.

These reactors are designed for a high degree of factory readiness, with major components manufactured off-site and delivered as modules for assembly.

Their ability to operate continuously makes them a potential complement to renewable sources, particularly in cities where industrial and mobility-related loads must be met around the clock.

The international market for small modular reactors includes companies from several countries.

Designs are being developed by EDF in France, KHNP in South Korea and Ontario Power Generation in Canada.

Russia’s Rosatom is also part of this field and has created small-capacity reactors of up to 55 megawatts, designed with modular layouts and options suited to different climatic conditions, including those found in African regions.

A modular approach allows capacity to be expanded over time as demand grows, and factory fabrication of key components can help streamline installation.

These advances make one point clear: the world of dependable, year-round energy technologies is expanding fast, giving countries a wider menu of solutions than ever before.For Kigali, building a cleaner transport system and expanding its industrial base go hand in hand with strengthening the power network.

As electric motorbikes replace petrol engines and the economic zone continues to grow, the city will depend on an energy system that is both flexible and resilient.

A balanced mix of renewables, methane generation, modern grid infrastructure, and next-generation technologies can support this transition.

The sound of the city may be changing, but the direction is clear: a capital preparing for a more efficient, cleaner and technologically advanced future.