As part of its commitment to sustainable mobility, Rwanda will ban the registration of petrol-powered motorcycles for public transport in Kigali by January 2025. This change supports Rwanda’s e-mobility policy to cut emissions and boost sustainable energy. Registration will be limited to electric motorbikes, a huge step towards zero-emission mobility.
Why Electric Mobility Matters
Electric mobility (e-mobility) offers critical environmental, economic, and social benefits. Rwanda can reduce its carbon footprint, air pollution, and public health by switching to electric vehicles, especially in public transport. The global shift towards e-mobility has shown substantial results in other regions: electric vehicle adoption in Europe and Asia has already significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions and boosted local economies by creating new jobs in green technology sectors.
Growth of E-Mobility Companies in Africa
Over the past decade, e-mobility companies have flourished in Africa, driven by technological advancements and supportive government policies. In 2024, Roam secured $24 million in funding, the largest in electric mobility this year for global expansion, amidst relatively low renewable energy investment in Africa, which received only $2.6 billion in 2021, or 0.6% of global investments.
Companies in the electric motorcycle sector, such as Ampersand in Rwanda and Spiro in Kenya, have successfully piloted electric solutions for urban transport, demonstrating the viability and scalability of e-mobility in African cities. Recent forecasts show that the African electric car market will grow rapidly, with more e-mobility startups focussing on novel business models like battery swapping and on-demand charging.
How Upya Supports E-Mobility Growth
For e-mobility businesses to scale effectively and meet Rwanda’s ambitious goals, robust digital tools are essential. Upya’s platform provides these companies with critical solutions to streamline operations, manage assets, and optimize customer interactions. Here’s how:
- Asset and Fleet Management: Upya’s software helps e-mobility businesses manage their electric vehicle fleets, from battery lifecycle tracking to maintenance scheduling. Real-time data analytics provide insights, helping reduce operational costs and improve uptime.
- Payment Collection and Deal Types: Upya simplifies the complexities of e-mobility payments by offering tools that support various financing models, from vehicle leasing to installment plans. This adaptability is crucial for attracting a diverse customer base and ensuring affordability.
- Customer and Agent Management: With Upya’s CRM, companies can manage customer relationships, handle support tickets, and optimize agent commissions. This system is vital for businesses operating with field agents, ensuring efficient customer service and streamlined sales.
- Geofencing and Territory Management: The Polygon tool helps assign agents to specified locations, track location-based data, and deploy resources by enabling accurate zoning and field management.
The Road Ahead for Rwanda
Rwanda’s upcoming policy marks a new chapter in Africa’s sustainable transport journey. Electric mobility can minimise transportation expenses, reduce fuel imports, and improve the environment. E-mobility companies will need adaptable, scalable solutions to overcome urban and peri-urban African challenges to realise these benefits.
Upya is committed to empowering both established and emerging e-mobility enterprises with digital infrastructure to succeed in Rwanda and abroad. Businesses can successfully migrate, capitalize on electric car demand, and contribute to a more sustainable future with our solutions.
Rwanda’s shift to electric motorcycles is a significant move toward sustainable urban transport, setting a p recedent for other nations. Upya’s unique digital solutions enable firms to lead Rwanda’s e-mobility journey, scale their operations, and make a difference.
To see how our tools can be utilized for effective business upscaling, book a demo.