By Jemosop Faith
Rwanda is racing toward a green revolution. The government’s bold plan to convert all 100,000 motorbikes in the country to electric by 2030, with Kigali banning new gas-powered bike registrations from January 2025, is a global head-turner.
Motorbikes, especially moto-taxis, are the backbone of Rwanda’s transport system, ferrying millions daily. But can Rwanda’s grid handle this electrified surge? And could this experiment light the way for Africa’s transport future? Let’s dive in.
How Realistic Is Rwanda’s Plan to Electrify 100,000 Motorbikes?
Rwanda’s Rwanda EV ambition is audacious. With 26,000 moto-taxis in Kigali alone, electrifying 100,000 motorbikes requires scaling from 4,000 electric bikes operated by Ampersand and 1,300 by Spiro in 2024. The government’s e-mobility strategy offers tax exemptions and electricity tariff reductions, saving drivers 45% on fuel and maintenance, or $840 annually. Spiro’s EKON bike, priced at $500, makes the switch affordable. Yet, high battery costs $1,000 each and limited charging infrastructure pose hurdles. Scaling requires $900 million, a steep ask for a small economy.
Does Rwanda’s Grid Have the Capacity for E-Mobility?
Rwanda’s grid is under pressure. With a total installed capacity of 332.6 MW in 2024, it serves 75% of households, up from 6% in 2009. However, demand is projected to hit 556 MW by 2025, outstripping supply. Electrifying 100,000 motorbikes, each requiring 6–8 hours to charge a 2 kWh battery, could add 200 MW of demand, assuming daily charging.
Nighttime blackouts are common, and grid losses remain at 15%. Planned projects, like the 80 MW Hakan peat plant and 26 MW Rusumo Falls hydropower, won’t close the gap fast enough. The grid alone can’t support this e-mobility leap.
Will Solar-Powered E-Bikes Work Despite Grid Limitations?
Solar energy offers a lifeline. Rwanda’s 5 kWh/m²/day solar radiation and 12.23 MW of on-grid solar capacity make it ideal for off-grid solutions. Solar-powered battery swap stations, like those piloted by Ampersand, bypass the grid, enabling rural deployment. 50,000 solar home systems already serve off-grid households, proving scalability.
Stellar Engineering’s solar systems connect 800 households, with 70% female-led, showing social impact. Solar-powered e-bikes, paired with lithium-ion batteries offering 100 km per swap, reduce emissions by 98% compared to gas bikes. However, solar swap stations require $1 million each, needing foreign investment from partners like China or the EU.
What Role Do Startups Play in Africa’s Energy Future?
Innovative startups are rewriting Africa’s transport narrative. Ampersand, with 32 swap stations in Kigali, powers 1.2 million km weekly. Spiro’s 20,000 e-bikes across six countries use battery swapping to cut costs.
Rwanda Electric Motors (REM) retrofits gas bikes for $800, half the cost of new e-bikes. These startups leverage clean energy and data-driven battery management to boost efficiency. Ampersand’s $19.5 million funding and Spiro’s $100 million raise show investor confidence. By training local technicians, like CMU’s EV courses, startups build sustainable ecosystems, addressing Africa’s skills gap.
Can Battery Swapping Become a Scalable Solution?
Battery swapping is a game-changer. Ampersand’s 120,000 monthly swaps take three minutes, rivaling gas refueling. Zembo’s hybrid solar-grid stations in Uganda cut costs by 30%. In Rwanda, 70% of motors are sold without batteries, making leasing and swapping viable. Scaling to 100,000 bikes requires 1,000 swap stations, costing $1 billion. Challenges include battery degradation and e-waste management, but Rwanda’s mandatory recycling policies and second-life battery research offer solutions.
Is Rwanda’s Model a Blueprint for Africa?
Rwanda’s experiment could reshape Africa transport. Kigali’s cohesive urban design and policy clarity make it a testing ground. Ethiopia’s ban on gas vehicles and Kenya’s e-mobility pilots draw inspiration.
Rwanda’s 38% emissions reduction goal by 2030 aligns with Africa’s 600 million unelectrified people. Yet, larger nations like Nigeria face grid constraints, needing tailored solutions. Rwanda’s public-private partnerships and community engagement offer a scalable model.
Rwanda’s grid can’t handle 100,000 electric motorbikes alone, but solar-powered battery swapping and innovative startups like Ampersand and Spiro are bridging the gap. With 70% of Kigali’s bikes targeted for electrification, Rwanda’s model could inspire Africa’s clean energy future.
