Rwanda is emerging as one of Africa’s leading green mobility pioneers, with electric vehicles (EVs) increasingly visible on its roads—from electric motorcycles and cars gaining ground across Kigali to a growing network of fast-charging stations steadily expanding beyond the capital. The country’s ambition for a cleaner, low-carbon transport system is gradually taking shape. One of the major players in this shift is EVP Charger (EVP), whose rollout of charging stations in Kigali—including Kacyiru, Kiyovu, UTC, Kisimenti, Kibagabaga and Gacuriro—as well as Rubavu, is accelerating adoption of electric mobility nationwide. According to EVP Charger’s CEO Tony B. Adesina, Rwanda is part of a global revolution and transition towards cleaner transport systems. “EVs are the future, it goes beyond the walls of Rwanda; it has become a global sensation,” he said. “Clean mobility is the future because it is affordable, environmentally friendly with low maintenance cost.” ALSO READ: Rwanda seeks investors to accelerate EV charging infrastructure development Building the backbone of EV adoption A key global challenge for EV growth remains charging infrastructure, but Rwanda is addressing this through coordinated public and private efforts. EVP CHARGER currently operates about 95 electric motorcycle superfast direct charging stations and nearly 20 superfast charging stations for electric cars, forming one of the most developed private charging networks in the country. The company plans to add 30 motorcycle and 25 car charging stations in 2026, expanding its charging network further into all secondary cities such as Huye, Nyagatare, Musanze, Rubavu and Rusizi. The goal is to build confidence in the adoption of EVs and eliminate “range anxiety”—the fear of running out of battery before reaching a charging point. “We want every Rwandan who buys an EV to know that charging stations are available wherever they travel across the country,” Adesina said, adding that the long-term vision is to install superfast charging stations roughly every 50 kilometres for motorcycles and every 100 kilometres for car across major routes. Seizing Rwanda’s EV expansion opportunity The network expansion aligns with government plans that have identified more than 200 potential EV charging hotspots nationwide, offering significant room for private sector investment. EVP Charger says it plans to scale rapidly, targeting between 100 and 150 charging locations (motorcycles & cars) within two years, with a strong focus on secondary cities and transport corridors linking urban centres. “As pioneers of Rwanda’s EV Industry, we are aggressively expanding our charging infrastructure and capturing every opportunity in the sector,” Adesina said. To broaden participation, EVP Charger has also launched a “Host a Station” initiative, allowing landowners and businesses to generate additional revenue by host charging infrastructure and benefit from the growing green economy. Applications are being received via hoststation.evpcharger.com. “We have received hundreds of calls across the country from individuals and businesses looking to host charging stations on their property to tap into the green economy and earnings,” he said. He added that submitted sites are assessed based on feasibility, infrastructure capacity and network planning needs before installation decisions are made. ALSO READ: Rwanda develops master plan for EV charging stations Why EVs are gaining ground Beyond infrastructure expansion, cost savings are a major driver of EV adoption in Rwanda. Adesina said EV charging costs can be about 40 per cent lower than petrol fuel costs. For instance, a vehicle that may require around Rwf75,000 to refuel can be fully charged for approximately Rwf25,000, he estimated. Maintenance costs are also significantly reduced due to fewer mechanical components compared to internal combustion engines, which require frequent servicing, oil changes and complex repairs. “With EVs, you are mostly concerned about tires, brakes and battery performance,” he said. This combination of lower operating costs and improved efficiency is making EVs increasingly attractive for both private users and commercial operators such as delivery and ride-hailing services. Faster, smarter charging technology EVP Charger’s model relies on direct charging for electric motorcycles and electric cars, which the company believes will become more efficient as battery technology evolves. EVP Charger Business Administrator Elina Bamulanje said improvements in charging speed are already transforming the sector. “Direct charging is the future,” she said. “What used to take over an hour plus can now take 30 minutes, and eventually it may take only five minutes.” Global advancements, including ultra-fast charging systems developed by manufacturers such as BYD, are expected to further accelerate adoption in African markets. The company is also preparing to launch a mobile application in July 2026 that will help users locate charging stations, plan journeys, and make cashless payments echoing the government’s push for a cashless economy. The app will be launched alongside a new payment system “Tap & Charge” card, which will be issued to all existing and new EV users using EVP Charger’s charging network. The personalised card for each user will improve customer experience, ease of use, while supporting Rwanda’s broader push toward a cashless economy. EVP Charger partners with corporate businesses, ministries, and government parastatals through its EVP Charger for Business programme. The programme extends a flexible payment plan that allows a monthly payment cycle for companies capturing all charging kwh consumed to help in streamlining operational flow for businesses and avoid revenue leakage. This opportunity is available to all businesses who currently have a growing fleet of electric vehicles. Women at the centre of the EV progress Beyond technology and infrastructure, EVP Charger is also advancing social inclusion through employment. The company currently employs more than 170 women across its charging station network, positioning them as frontline service providers in Rwanda’s emerging EV ecosystem. “If you empower a woman, you empower a village,” said Bamulanje. The initiative not only creates jobs but also improves customer experience, especially for international visitors increasingly using electric vehicles in Rwanda. Government support accelerating growth Rwanda’s EV sector is growing rapidly due in part to strong government support. Policies include tax incentives on electric vehicles and charging equipment, favorable electricity tariffs for charging operators, and access to land for infrastructure development. Regulators also conduct technical assessments before installation to ensure electricity networks can handle additional demand without disrupting households or businesses. Adesina said this coordinated approach has significantly reduced barriers for private investors. “The government has done more than 50 per cent of the work needed for EV operators to succeed,” he said. Rwanda positioning itself as a regional model While countries like Kenya and Uganda have growing EV segments, Rwanda is increasingly recognised for the structure and coordination of its rollout. Its compact geography, policy clarity and strong public-private collaboration have enabled faster infrastructure deployment than many larger markets. EVP Charger’s network already processes more than 12,000 electric car charging transactions monthly and over 50,000 electric motorcycle charging transactions, reflecting rising adoption across both private and commercial users. Outlook: a green mobility future EVP Charger’s long-term ambition is to scale across Africa while contributing to low-carbon transport solutions. Bamulanje predicts a future where electric mobility becomes the dominant form of transport in Rwanda. “This country is going to be a green country,” she said. “When you arrive at the airport and move around Kigali and the rest of Rwanda, you will see green mobility everywhere.”
