Rwanda Changes Game, Launch Africa's First Self-Flying Taxi
By: Israel Adeleke
In a move to provide solution to urban congestion, carbon emissions, and sustainable transportation challenges, OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that Rwanda has made aviation history by conducting Africa’s first-ever public flight of a self-flying passenger drone, placing the country at the forefront of advanced air mobility on the continent.
OTN New further reports as gathered that the demonstration which was held in Kigali during the Africa Aviation Summit 2025, featured the EHang EH216-S, a pilotless electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
The EH216-S which can travel up to 30 kilometers at speeds of about 130 km/h, powered by 16 electric motors across eight arms, was said by officials that, it could significantly reduce travel times in congested urban areas like Kigali.
OTN News also gathered that, the two-seat fully electric drone, which also soared to an altitude of about 100 meters, navigating autonomously without an onboard pilot, was organized through a partnership between the Government of Rwanda, the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), and Chinese aviation technology firm EHang Holdings Limited.
The collaboration was said to underscore Rwanda’s ambition to pioneer Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) as a solution to urban congestion, carbon emissions, and sustainable transportation challenges.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Infrastructure, Jimmy Gasore, said, "this is more than just a demonstration. It is a glimpse into how Rwanda envisions its cities and economy: connected, efficient, and sustainable."
On his part, the CRBC’s Rwanda director general, Huang Qilin, described the project as a symbol of long-term cooperation between China and Rwanda in building the “low-altitude economy” across Africa.
He added that Rwanda’s demonstration builds on its earlier deployments in Asia and the Middle East, expanding its global footprint in autonomous aviation.
The President of the country, Paul Kagame and senior government officials attended the event, which marked a continental first for autonomous air taxis.
OTN News observes that Rwanda has already established itself as a leader in aviation innovation, pioneering drone delivery of medical supplies and investing in electric mobility infrastructure, including charging networks and e-buses. The introduction of pilotless passenger drones marks the latest step in this trajectory.
OTN News further observes that, globally, passenger drones, sometimes called “flying taxis”, are gaining traction in countries like China, the UAE, and parts of Europe as eco-friendly, electric-powered alternatives for short-distance urban travel.
However, Rwanda’s successful debut positions it among the world’s early movers in this futuristic sector and signals Africa’s entry into the next generation of urban mobility.
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