In Africa’s first, Rwanda bets on flying taxis to rise above gridlock

The EHang EH216-S air taxi is designed to carry two passengers and up to 220kg of cargo.

Photo credit: Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority

Rwanda is undergoing two major transformations. Rapid urbanisation, particularly in the capital Kigali, has led to a population surge.

As living standards have improved, car ownership has risen sharply — and with it, traffic congestion has become so severe during peak hours that many residents now rely on motorbike taxis to weave through the gridlock.