Rwanda has Introduced Africa’s First Self-Flying Taxi

Rwanda has introduced Africa’s first self-flying taxi, and it’s a big deal for the whole continent. This is the very first time a passenger drone that flies by itself has taken off in Africa. The event happened in Kigali during the Africa Aviation Summit 2025. The drone, called the EHang EH216-S, is electric and doesn’t need a pilot to fly it.

The taxi is small, with just two seats, and it can take off, fly, and land all on its own. During the show, it flew about 100 meters high while moving through the air by itself. Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and other important government leaders were there to watch. This moment puts Rwanda at the front of new kinds of transport in Africa.

Rwanda introduces Africa’s first self-flying taxi thanks to a team effort. The Government of Rwanda worked with the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and a Chinese company named EHang Holdings Limited to make it happen. This partnership shows how Rwanda wants to lead the way in using new technology to fix problems like traffic jams, pollution, and the need for cleaner transportation.

Rwanda has Introduced Africa’s First Self-Flying Taxi

Jimmy Gasore, who is Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure, spoke about the flight. He said this was not just a test but a look at how Rwanda wants its cities and economy to grow in the future—connected, smooth, and green. The self-flying taxi could help people move faster in busy cities like Kigali where there is often a lot of traffic.

The drone can travel up to 30 kilometers at about 130 kilometers per hour. It has 16 electric motors on eight arms, which help it fly safely and smoothly. Officials believe this new taxi could cut down travel time a lot in crowded urban areas.

Huang Qilin, the director general of CRBC in Rwanda, said this project shows strong teamwork between China and Rwanda. He called it a symbol of building the “low-altitude economy” in Africa, which means creating new jobs and industries around flying vehicles near the ground. He added that Rwanda’s flight builds on earlier work done in Asia and the Middle East, helping the technology grow worldwide.

Rwanda has already been known for its ideas in aviation. Before this, Rwanda was the first in Africa to use drones to deliver medical supplies quickly to places hard to reach by road. The country has also invested in things like electric buses and charging stations. Now, with Africa’s first self-flying taxi, Rwanda is taking another big step forward.

Around the world, passenger drones or “flying taxis” are growing popular in places like China, the UAE, and Europe. These drones run on electricity and offer a cleaner, quieter way to travel short distances within cities. By introducing Africa’s first self-flying taxi, Rwanda is joining the world’s early leaders in this exciting new field. This shows that Africa is ready to move into the future of how people get around in cities, using smart, green technology.

Rwanda has made aviation history by showing how self-flying taxis can work. This new kind of transport promises to make cities better—less crowded, cleaner, and easier to live in. Through this flight, Rwanda introduces Africa’s first self-flying taxi and leads the way for the whole continent to follow into a new age of travel.

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