Rwanda has taken a historic leap into the future of aviation with Africa’s first public flight of a self-flying electric air taxi.
President Paul Kagame yesterday presided over the demonstration of the Chinese-built EHang EH216-S pilotless electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft during the Aviation Africa Summit 2025 in Kigali.
According to The New Times publication, the two-seat, fully electric air taxi, powered by next-generation autonomous navigation technology, took to the skies without a pilot on board, in a milestone moment for both Rwanda and Africa.
“This is more than just a demonstration. It is a glimpse into how Rwanda envisions its cities and economy, connected, efficient, and sustainable,” said Rwanda’s minister of Infrastructure, Jimmy Gasore.
He stressed that by taking transport into the skies, Rwanda’s self-flying electric air taxis offer a practical solution to the growing challenge of urban traffic congestion. “With the ability to bypass clogged roads and connect key points in minutes rather than hours, the technology promises to ease pressure on ground transport, cut commuting times, and improve urban mobility.
“This aligns with Kigali’s vision of smarter, greener cities where technology drives efficiency and sustainability,” he said.
The project stems from a partnership between Rwanda’s government and the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), alongside urban air mobility technology company EHang.
CRBC’s director general in Rwanda Huang Qilin hailed the collaboration as a testament to their commitment to bringing cutting-edge solutions to Africa. “We look forward to working with Rwanda to explore the potential of the low-altitude economy,” he said.
Gasore added that the launch cements Rwanda’s reputation as a fast-growing innovation and technical hub. He highlighted that the country was among the first to pioneer drone delivery services for medical supplies. “The government has also invested in charging infrastructure and policy frameworks to support e-mobility, including electric buses and motorcycles that are already transforming urban transport,” he added.
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