Rwanda - Government Launches Major Overhaul of Kigali Public Transport System

Kigali, November 28, 2025 - Rwanda is set to introduce a new public transport system in Kigali City, following Cabinet approval of a major reform designed to improve efficiency, safety, and passenger experience. The reform will be implemented through a newly created government agency, Ecofleet Solutions, announced Eng. Uwihanganye Jean de Dieu, the State Secretary for Infrastructure.

Under the new model, buses will not stay longer than 10 minutes at terminals and will not exceed three minutes at bus stops, ensuring faster turnaround and reducing congestion. Ecofleet Solutions will manage and coordinate nearly all aspects of public transport in the capital.

According to officials, Ecofleet Solutions will supervise the daily operation of public transport vehicles, while private companies will continue supplying buses, employing drivers, and monitoring day-to-day service delivery.

Ensuring enough buses are available and well distributed across routes.

Monitoring vehicle conditions and mechanical readiness.

Planning routes and tracking bus movements in real time.

Guaranteeing that buses are clean, safe, and properly maintained.

Managing infrastructure such as bus stops, terminals, and repair centers.

Overseeing all transport company contracts.

Importantly, companies will be paid based on service quality, not on the number of passengers transported - a shift intended to end the overcrowding that has long characterized Kigali’s buses.

All passengers will pay electronically, with funds going directly to Ecofleet before being redistributed to operators. The current Tap & Go system will remain in use during the trial phase, but authorities are considering bank cards and Mobile Money as additional payment options.

Those caught paying cash will face strict penalties, as inspections are being intensified.

Drivers will receive new contracts linking their pay to performance indicators, including:

Respecting the three-minute and 10-minute station limits.

Keeping buses clean.

Respectful treatment of passengers.

Safe and responsible driving.

“Ecofleet will buy, lease, operate, and manage the buses. Drivers will be paid based on meeting targets - profits are no longer their concern,” Eng. Uwihanganye explained.

Technology at the Heart of the System

The reform places heavy emphasis on technology, including:

Real-time tracking of buses.

Electronic passenger information boards at bus stops.

Mobile tools showing bus arrival times, routes, and nearby stops.

A modern system for detecting breakdowns and ensuring rapid repair.

The digital platform is expected to be fully operational within one month.

The government aims for all public transport vehicles in Kigali to be electric by the end of 2026. Ecofleet Solutions will roll out:

190 electric buses owned by the agency,

110 leased electric buses from private operators.

The program will launch on December 2, 2025, starting with the Downtown-Sonatubes-Remera corridor. Additional priority lanes will follow on Sonatubes-Gahanga and Nyabugogo-Gishushu routes.

During rainy seasons, buses will receive priority passage to reduce congestion and maximize movement of large passenger volumes.

This reform builds on previous government commitments. A pilot project on the Kabuga-Nyabugogo route in May 2025 tested technological and operational strategies now being scaled citywide.

During the 18th National Dialogue Council in February 2023, the government pledged to introduce over 300 new buses into Kigali’s fleet. Around 200 buses have already arrived, purchased with public funding and delivered in phases.

Eng. Uwihanganye urged residents to trust the new system, promising buses that are safer, on time, less crowded, and more comfortable.

“We want people to leave their cars, avoid relying on motorbikes, and choose these buses,” he said. “Our goal is punctual, reliable, and modern public transport for everyone.”