Rwanda has secured $500,000 (Ksh 64.5m) from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to carry out feasibility study on the first phase of proposed cable car in Kigali City.
The East African Community (EAC) member state is planning to construct sub-Sahara Africa’s first aerial urban transit system to the tune of $100 million (Ksh 12.9b).
The Kigali Urban Cable Car Project will cover 5.5 km and is expected to ease the city’s traffic congestion, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and connect underserved communities to jobs and essential services.
“By financing Rwanda’s urban cable car system, we are investing in a scalable model of low-carbon, inclusive public transport that cities across Africa can emulate,” said Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, AfDB President.
AfDB says the feasibility study is expected to position the project to attract international investment.
Once complete, the cable car will convey over 50,000 passengers a day on a 15-minute end-to-end journey, integrating into the city’s existing transport infrastructure.
“This pioneering feasibility study is a game-changing milestone. Through the Urban Municipality Development Fund, AfDB is laying the foundation for an investment-ready green infrastructure asset that offers both impact and returns,” added Solomon Quaynor, AfDB Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure, and Industrialization.
Construction of the project which is being implemented by Ropeways Transit Rwanda Limited is expected to begin in late 2026, with commissioning scheduled for 2028.
