Faith Nyasuguta
Kigali is preparing to make aviation history. Rwanda, in partnership with China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), will stage Africa’s first-ever public demonstration of a self-flying electric air taxi at the Aviation Africa 2025 Summit on September 4–5. The event is set to mark a turning point in the continent’s urban transport future.
The star of the showcase will be the EHang EH216-S, a pilotless electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. This two-passenger flying taxi, already certified airworthy by China’s aviation regulator, will give Africans their first glimpse of advanced air mobility (AAM) in action. For Rwanda, a nation already recognized for its trailblazing use of drones in medical deliveries, this demonstration cements its role as an African pioneer in aviation technology.
Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure, Jimmy Gasore, hailed the moment as proof of the country’s commitment to innovation. “Rwanda is actively building a future where our cities are more connected and our economy is more dynamic through innovative transport solutions,” he said. CRBC’s Rwanda Director General, Huang Qilin, echoed the sentiment, calling the project a bold step toward redefining mobility in African cities.
The EH216-S is no ordinary machine. With a cruising speed of 100 km/h, a top speed of 130 km/h, and a range of 35 km per charge, it promises short, efficient urban trips. Its 16 electric motors and propellers allow vertical take-offs and landings, making it ideal for crowded cities where runways are impossible.
The aircraft can carry 220 kg, has wide panoramic windows, and recharges in just two hours. Even before this African debut, it had logged over 1,000 manned flights worldwide, including journeys up to 8.8 km, demonstrating both safety and reliability.
What makes this innovation particularly significant for Africa is its minimal infrastructure needs. Unlike traditional aviation, which depends on airports and long runways, eVTOL aircraft can take off and land almost anywhere, making them perfect for congested cities and remote regions. In countries where road traffic is a daily nightmare, flying taxis offer a radical alternative that could cut travel times and ease urban congestion.
The Kigali demonstration will serve as a live case study for African regulators, policymakers, and industry players. It will help answer critical questions about safety, integration into existing airspace, and the potential for large-scale adoption across the continent. For Rwanda, it is also a chance to attract global investors, technology partners, and innovators eager to tap into Africa’s emerging aviation market.
Beyond the spectacle of a driverless flying taxi soaring over Kigali, the demonstration signals something larger: Africa’s readiness to embrace futuristic, sustainable transport. If successfully adopted, eVTOL technology could reshape the way Africans move – cutting through traffic jams, reducing emissions, and linking communities like never before.
For now, all eyes are on Kigali. This week, Rwanda will not just host a flight – will showcase a vision of Africa’s transport future, one where the skies may soon be as busy as the roads.
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