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President Paul Kagame of Rwanda (middle) with the CEO, Volkswagen Brand, Dr. Herbert Diess, (left) and Managing Director, Chairman of the Volkswagen Group SA, Thomas Schaefer at the agreement signing ceremony in Kigali…recently

Volkswagen unfolds local vehicle production plan, others for Rwanda

Following the success of the recent inauguration of its Kenya assembly, Volkswagen has unfolded its plans for Rwanda as the auto maker moved ahead in developing new markets in Africa.

The plans which included that of a local vehicle production were unfolded when Volkswagen and the Rwandan Government signed a memorandum of understanding for a new integrated mobility concept in Kigali.

The agreement was signed recently  by the Director of the Rwanda Development Board, Hon. Francis Gatare and  CEO of Volkswagen Group South Africa, Thomas Schäfer, in the presence of Rwanda’s President, Paul Kagame and CEO of the Volkswagen brand, Dr. Herbert Diess .

 The new integrated mobility concept  provides for app-based mobility solutions such as car sharing and ride hailing to be offered in Rwanda. For this purpose, an environmentally compatible local vehicle production facility is to be established in the capital city Kigali to cover vehicle demand for the integrated mobility concept. In addition, possibilities of training initiatives for the local population are being investigated together with other German companies.

Rwanda is well-suited to be a pioneer of new mobility solutions as it has a population of young tech-savvy people and its capital Kigali is seen as the most connected city in Africa.

 Speaking at the agreement-signing ceremony in Kigali, CEO of Volkswagen Group South Africa, Schäfer, said:  “Volkswagen is consistently developing market potentials in Africa. Only a few hours ago, we inaugurated our third production facility in Africa in Kenya. Today in Rwanda, we are launching a concept that will foster individual mobility in this rapidly developing country and make this market a further pillar of the Volkswagen brand’s commitment to Africa.”  

 Also speaking at  the occasion, Director of the Rwanda Development Board , Hon. Gatare,  said: “We welcome Volkswagen and its innovative approach to mobility concepts in Rwanda. We may be a small country but we believe that we are a pioneer. Our country is determined to become the leading innovator in Africa. The signature of this memorandum of understanding today is a further step on our path to digitalisation and modernisation.”

 The concept includes car sharing and ride hailing services as well as the establishment of a local production facility in accordance with the environmental standards of Volkswagen’s Think Blue. Factory. initiative. The vehicles required for the new mobility solutions in Rwanda are to be taken entirely from local production. Volkswagen South Africa is forging ahead with this initiative in Rwanda together with Volkswagen’s Kenyan partner DT Dobie based on current experience from the establishment of production in Kenya.

 Volkswagen’s commitment to Rwanda also includes the training of local people. The possibility of cooperation for the establishment of a technical academy is being investigated together with other German companies. In the long term, the objective is to generate employment, know-how transfer and sustainable growth.

 With the integrated mobility concept, Volkswagen intends to provide a new impetus for the development of individual mobility. Rwanda does not have an established vehicle industry. The population has an average age of less than 20 years and Rwandans are among the early adopters of new technologies. In addition, Rwanda is strongly committed to sustainable energy production. In the medium term, Volkswagen also plans to investigate the use of electric vehicles such as the e-up! or the e-Golf.

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