Rwanda has secured $500,000 (Ksh 64.5 million) from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to fund a feasibility study for its ambitious Kigali Urban Cable Car Project, a $100 million (Ksh 12.9 billion) initiative aimed at transforming urban mobility in the capital.
The project, set to become Sub-Saharan Africa’s first aerial urban transit system, will span 5.5 kilometres across Kigali and is designed to reduce traffic congestion, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and improve access to jobs and essential services for underserved communities.
“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, President of the African Development Bank.
The AfDB says the feasibility study will enhance the project’s investment appeal and readiness for international funding. Once completed, the cable car is expected to transport over 50,000 passengers daily on a swift 15-minute end-to-end journey, fully integrated into Kigali’s broader public transport network.
“This pioneering feasibility study is a game-changing milestone,” noted Solomon Quaynor, AfDB Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure, and Industrialization. “Through the Urban Municipality Development Fund, AfDB is laying the foundation for an investment-ready green infrastructure asset that offers both impact and returns.”
The project will be implemented by Ropeways Transit Rwanda Limited, with construction scheduled to begin in late 2026 and commissioning expected by 2028.
Written By Rodney Mbua
