Vehicle owners and operators in Rwanda face hefty fines if they fail to comply with new regulations on emissions testing, according to a Ministerial Order issued on August 25, 2025.
The penalties range from Frw 25,000 to Frw 5,000,000, depending on the violation.
A vehicle owner who fails to meet emissions requirements will be fined Frw 25,000.
Conducting polluting activities without authorization or ignoring urgent pollution-control directives carries a Frw 3,000,000 fine, while refusing to halt air-polluting activities attracts the maximum penalty of Frw 5,000,000.
Breaches of general air quality preservation rules are punishable by Frw 2,000,000, and failing to report unintentional emissions within the legal timeframe leads to a Frw 1,000,000 fine.
These measures accompany a new campaign by the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), which has intensified inspections of vehicle emissions across the country.
In just 15 days, more than 1,000 cars have been tested, with the program ongoing. REMA says the initiative aims to ensure vehicles meet environmental standards and to raise awareness about the health risks posed by toxic emissions.
The tests target pollutants such as Carbon Monoxide (CO), Hydrocarbons (HC), Nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), all of which contribute significantly to air pollution.
Officials say that vehicles under 10 years old generally emit cleaner exhaust compared to older models.
Pierre Célestin Hakizimana, REMA’s officer in charge of air quality monitoring, said the new process relies on machines equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to capture and analyze exhaust samples directly from vehicles. This technology allows for accurate, science-based monitoring.
Kigali, which hosts the majority of the country’s vehicles, industries, and population, is the most affected by air pollution.
Motorcycles alone account for 47% of vehicle-related emissions, prompting government initiatives to promote the use of electric bikes.
Under the new rules, vehicles must undergo regular emissions testing, with certificates valid for either six months or one year depending on their category.
Public transport vehicles, school buses, ambulances, and commercial vehicles will be certified every six months, while private cars and others will be cleared for a year.
Officials stress that the crackdown is not just about fines but about safeguarding public health and the environment.
The campaign is part of Rwanda’s broader push towards clean energy and sustainable urban growth.
