Rwanda Launches Africa’s First Self-Flying Air Taxi
By Andree Mzungu | AfroTV NewsTV | September 4, 2025
Kigali, Rwanda — Rwanda has once again proven itself as a continental leader in innovation and technology by becoming the first African nation to launch a self-flying electric air taxi, ushering in a new era of urban air mobility.
The historic unveiling took place at the Aviation Africa 2025 Summit in Kigali, where the Chinese-built EHang EH216-S eVTOL successfully carried out a public demonstration flight. The two-passenger aircraft, fully electric and pilotless, represents a major step forward in both futuristic transport and Rwanda’s broader tech-driven development agenda.
Rwanda’s Innovation Edge
Over the past decade, Rwanda has built a global reputation as a testbed for emerging technologies, from Zipline’s life-saving drone deliveries to nationwide cashless payment systems and smart city initiatives. The introduction of autonomous air taxis reinforces the country’s position as a hub for digital transformation and advanced mobility in Africa.
Government officials emphasized that this latest leap is not just about aviation, but about cementing Rwanda’s image as a living laboratory for innovation, where policy and technology work hand in hand to accelerate progress.
A First for Africa
Developed by EHang, in collaboration with Rwanda and the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), the EH216-S can carry two passengers at speeds of up to 130 km/h with a flight range of 30 km.
To support operations, Rwanda plans to construct an extensive network of 30 vertiports nationwide, making Kigali a pioneer city in the African Urban Air Mobility (UAM) revolution.
Strategic Vision for Tech & Transport
Each eVTOL unit is estimated to cost USD 400,000, but the value goes beyond hardware. Officials say the self-flying taxis will strengthen Rwanda’s Green Growth Strategy, attract global investors, and stimulate homegrown tech talent in robotics, AI, and aeronautics.
Building on Drone Legacy
The announcement builds on Rwanda’s earlier breakthroughs with medical drone deliveries, which have been operating since 2016. That pioneering success story now paves the way for passenger-carrying aerial vehicles, showing how Rwanda continues to leapfrog traditional infrastructure limitations with advanced technology.
What’s Next
Moving from demonstration flights to commercial passenger service will require vertiport infrastructure, strict safety certification, and public acceptance. Yet Rwanda’s track record in deploying disruptive technology gives experts confidence that the country is well-placed to lead Africa’s next-generation mobility revolution.
🌍 Stay tuned with AfroTV NewsTV for more coverage on Rwanda’s bold path into innovation, technology, and the skies.
