Africa-Press – Rwanda. Rwanda’s urban transport sector is stepping into a new era with the launch of Umurabyo, an affordable electric taxi. Umurabyo is a name that means lightning in Kinyarwanda, symbolizing both speed and the clean energy driving this revolution.
The launch marks a defining moment in how finance, innovation, and social protection come together to advance e-mobility in Rwanda, through collaboration between NCBA, Kabisa, and Sonarwa General and Sonarwa Life. This product shows how public-private partnerships can provide practical solutions to everyday challenges. With its rollout, Kigali stands to reduce urban pollution and carbon emissions, improve air quality, and move closer to Rwanda’s national climate goals.
“By financing affordable, electric solutions, Umurabyo is all about improving livelihoods and laying the foundation for a sustainable and greener Rwanda,” said Maurice Toroitich, Managing Director of NCBA Bank Rwanda. The initiative aligns with NCBA’s Change the Story agenda, which includes USD 230 million in green lending, planting 10 million trees by 2030, and rolling out electric charging stations across all NCBA branches in East Africa, several of which are already operational in Rwanda.
Maurice Toroitich, Managing Director of NCBA Bank Rwanda and Sonarwa officials pose for a photo at the launch
“We are committed to playing a key role in our shared responsibility to build sustainable cities,” added Pophia Muhoza, Managing Director of Kabisa. “As a company, what we offer is more than EVs, we are providing the entire ecosystem of private and commercial electric vehicles, charging stations, and after-sales services. We won’t just be selling these cars to drivers; we will charge them and repair them.”
Cleaner Cities, Better Livelihoods
At its core, Umurabyo removes one of the biggest barriers to electric vehicle adoption: upfront cost. NCBA Bank Rwanda has committed to providing 100% financing, with the vehicle itself serving as collateral.
For drivers, the benefits of going electric are immediate and measurable. “Currently, I use about 35,000 frw per day on fuel and drive about 200 kilometers.This comes to almost 900,000frw per month to drive 4,800 kilometers. With Umurabyo, a full electric charge that drives 300 kilometers and costs only 12,000frw. If I drive the same 4,800 kilometers in the month, I will be spending only 192,000frw on charging. I save more than 700,000 frw every month on fuel,” said KIRUNDEKE Assuman, a driver who is receiving his Umurabyo today.
“Most of us bought old vehicles that we drive all day for hundreds of kilometers. As a result, we are always in garages repairing them. I spend over 200,000 every month on spare parts and repairs. The Umurabyo I have now is brand new, reducing the time I will spend at the garage and the hours I miss from work.” said Kirundeke Asumani as he appreciated his new Umurabyo. Over the course of a month, the savings exceed one million francs, money that can improve the livelihood of Rwandan drivers.
Drivers earning at least RWF 1.5 million a month and without an existing bank loan are eligible to apply immediately. Each package combines a competitively priced vehicle, affordable repayment terms, and comprehensive auto and life insurance coverage from Sonarwa, ensuring both drivers and their families are protected against financial risk.
With every Umurabyo taxi that joins Kigali’s streets, Rwanda takes another step toward a future defined by opportunity, sustainability, and prosperity. This is a movement toward cleaner cities, stronger livelihoods, and a resilient economy.
By weaving together finance, sustainable solutions, and protection, the partnership intends to change the story for drivers, their families, and the nation at large. Umurabyo embodies the vision of a Rwanda where e-mobility is not an aspiration for tomorrow, but a reality today.
Maurice Toroitich, Managing Director of NCBA Bank Rwanda speaks at the launch
The launch was completed through collaboration between NCBA, Kabisa, and Sonarwa General and Sonarwa Life.
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