Rwanda is becoming one of the world’s first laboratories for electric motorcycle mobility, following the 2025 ban on new ICE motorcycle registrations in Kigali. The market reached a record 14,031 sales in 2025 (+28%), driven by an extraordinary +686% surge in electric two-wheelers.
Rwanda Motorcycles Market Overview
Rwanda is one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa, with GDP expanding between 7% and 9% annually in recent years. Although unemployment remains high (around 38%) and nearly 40% of the population still lives below the poverty line, the country has maintained a public deficit below 10% and continues to pursue a modern, reform-oriented development strategy.
Despite a still limited level of infrastructure development, motorcycles represent the primary form of individual mobility, both in rural areas and in urban centers, where about 19% of the population resides. Economic activity is heavily concentrated in the capital Kigali, where the majority of daily transportation is provided by motorcycle taxis (Boda Boda).
Historically, these vehicles were supplied mainly by Chinese manufacturers (Haojin, Haojue) and Indian OEMs such as Bajaj, TVS and Hero.
However, a major policy shift occurred in January 2025, when the government banned the registration of new internal combustion engine (ICE) motorcycles in the Kigali metropolitan area. This marks the first case worldwide of such a policy, even preceding Hanoi’s planned ICE ban scheduled for July 2026.
Combined with financial incentives for electric two-wheelers, this decision is rapidly transforming the market. African electric mobility startups such as Spiro and Ampersand are now experiencing a sharp surge in demand.
Although still relatively small for a country of over 13 million inhabitants, the market is expanding quickly. In 2025 total motorcycle sales reached a record 14,031 units, representing a 28.0% increase year-on-year.
This growth has been driven almost entirely by the electric segment, which surged by +686%, offsetting the decline in traditional ICE models.
Demand for electric motorcycles is already outpacing supply. Spiro currently reports waiting lists of 4 to 6 months, confirming that the transition toward electric mobility in Rwanda’s urban transport sector is already well underway.