Volkswagen Rwanda unveils electric vehicle charging station in Kigali

Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda (VWMSR) last week unveiled its second charging station for electric vehicles in partnership with Siemens. The new EV charging facility is located at Kigali Convention Centre, and is part of the e-mobility pilot project. The charging station was unveiled in the presence of the Rwandan Minister of Environment, Dr Jean d’Arc Mujawamariya.

Rwanda developed a new Environment and Climate Change Policy that calls for the transition to sustainable mobility

Rwandan Minister of Environment, Dr Jean d’Arc Mujawamariya

Siemens is providing the charging infrastructure for the electric vehicles (EVs) as part of the pilot project. 

VW installed its first EV charging station at the Kigali Special Economic Zone in 2019 as part of it’s pilot project to test the feasibility of electric mobility in Africa. The company also launched four e-Golfs to be used during the pilot phase. VWMSR plans to install EV charging stations in 15 locations as during the implementation of the pilot project.

Serge Kamuhinda, CEO of VWMSR, said the new charging station was a stepping stone towards the company’s goal of environmentally sustainable mobility. “This milestone is in line with the Volkswagen Group’s commitment to protecting the environment, with a focus on sustainable and responsible mobility for all its markets, including Africa,” said Kamuhinda. “As Volkswagen Rwanda we are proud to be leading this charge in Sub-Saharan Africa.”

Volkswagen driving Rwanda’s EV plans

A joint programme called Moving Rwanda Initiative is accelerating Rwanda’s ambitions for sustainable mobility. The programme was launched by Volkswagen, Siemens, SAP, construction group Inros Lackner and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). VWMSR’s pilot project is part of the Moving Rwanda Initiative.

Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda offers mobility solutions services, such as ride-hailing and corporate car sharing. The brand is also focused on driving sustainable mobility, with the pilot project in Rwanda serving as a blueprint for e-mobility in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“I commend Volkswagen Mobility Solutions for the investment made to deliver this charging station, and encourage all businesses and the public to make the switch to electric mobility,” says Rwandan Minister of Environment, Dr Jean d’Arc Mujawamariya.

As part of its TRANSFORM 2025+ brand strategy, Volkswagen is strengthening the regions and focusing on new up-and-coming markets, with the Sub-Saharan region playing an increasingly important role.