Rwanda’s Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA) is developing a comprehensive master plan to expand electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the country, aiming to ensure no vehicle travels more than 50 kilometers without access to a charging facility.
The initiative is designed to guide investors in strategically deploying charging infrastructure while avoiding underused or outdated stations. The plan prioritizes areas with high population density and traffic and proposes leveraging existing petrol stations and commercial buildings to optimize the network.
A preliminary geospatial analysis has identified over 226 potential sites for EV charging stations nationwide. As of August, the country had 24 public charging stations for vehicles, four direct chargers for motorcycles, and 49 combined charging and battery-swapping stations. Home-installed chargers are not included in this tally.
The ministry emphasizes that a robust charging network is vital to Rwanda’s e-mobility ecosystem, which it describes as the “backbone” of sustainable transport.
E-Mobility Boosts Rural Livelihoods
In rural areas like Nyamagabe District, the adoption of electric vehicles is improving affordability for transporting goods such as animal feed. Vicent Uwimana, Acting Director of Agriculture and Animal Resources in Nyamagabe, highlighted the cost-effectiveness of electric vehicles.
“Electric cars are environmentally friendly and cost-effective, reducing the price of essential goods like animal feed,” said Uwimana. He noted that farmers who once paid Rwf600–Rwf700 per kilogram of chicken feed now see prices drop by Rwf100–Rwf200 due to cheaper transport costs.
Business owners also report significant benefits. Vestine Mukanziza, who uses electric vehicles to transport feed and harvests, said, “Electric cars are transforming our lives; we now get feeds at affordable prices.”
Growing Adoption of Electric Vehicles
Rwanda has seen steady growth in EV adoption. According to Rwanda Revenue Authority data, the number of electric cars rose from 19 in 2020 to 512 in 2024, while hybrid vehicles surged from 28 in 2021 to 6,660 this year. However, fully electric vehicles still make up only 7% of the 7,172 imported hybrid and electric cars during the same period.
The government’s push for a reliable charging network is a critical step toward scaling up EV adoption and realizing its vision for a greener, cost-effective transportation system.
