By Jean D’amour Mbonyinshuti
BasiGo Rwanda on Tuesday announced its electric bus fleet has grown to 52 vehicles, after the delivery of 18 new BasiGo i8 Intercity Coaches.
This is a 53% jump from the 34-bus fleet operating just months ago, and a major step toward the company’s goal of 100 electric buses on Rwandan roads by the end of 2026.
The new coaches will operate on long-distance routes connecting Kigali to Musanze, Rubavu, Huye, Rusizi, Nyagatare and other major destinations, extending electric mobility further into Rwanda’s intercity travel network.
Each i8 Intercity Coach is built on CATL battery technology, offering up to 400 kilometres of range on a single charge, a 10-year/1-million-kilometre battery warranty, and full recharging (20-100%) in as little as 1.5 hours on BasiGo’s DC fast-charging infrastructure. Onboard, passengers get reclining seats, WiFi, USB charging ports, entertainment screens, and dedicated luggage space, features designed to make electric coaches a genuine upgrade over diesel alternatives, not just a cleaner one.
For operators, the buses are financed through BasiGo’s Pay-As-You-Drive model, which bundles charging, maintenance, and technical support into a single mileage-based payment, removing the upfront capital barrier that has historically slowed fleet electrification in the country.
To further support adoption, BasiGo is also collaborating with financial institutions to improve access to vehicle financing. Through a partnership with the Bank of Kigali, bus operators can access tailored financing solutions to purchase electric buses, providing greater flexibility in how operators transition their fleets to electric mobility.
“The arrival of these 18 electric coaches demonstrates that the future of electric intercity transport in Rwanda is already here,” said Jones Kizihira, Managing Director of BasiGo Rwanda. “We are proud to offer transport operators a solution that combines premium passenger comfort, world-class electric vehicle technology, and an innovative financing model that makes electric mobility more accessible than ever.”
Since introducing BasiGo’s electric buses into our fleet, we have seen a significant reduction in operating costs, particularly fuel and maintenance expenses,” said Cyprien Sibomana, Managing Director, at SU Direct. “The strong performance of these buses on long-distance routes has given us confidence to continue investing in electric mobility.
These initiatives are commendable, and BasiGo deserves support, particularly from district authorities in identifying land for charging infrastructure to accelerate electric mobility across Rwanda,” said Beata Mukangabo, Head of the Transport Department at RURA, during a recent inter-city bus Launch. “We appreciate BasiGo’s contribution to sustainable public transport and encourage all operators to transition to electric buses. With Kigali targeting a fully electric public bus fleet by the end of 2026 and electric buses now proven on routes across the country, the future of transport in Rwanda is electric.
The expansion comes as Rwanda continues to scale its national push toward electrified, low-emission public transport. BasiGo’s long-term plan extends well beyond Rwanda’s 100-bus target: the company aims to deploy 1,000 electric buses across East Africa in the coming years, with parallel operations already running in Kenya.
BasiGo is an e-mobility company bringing the future of clean, electric public transport to Sub-Saharan Africa.
Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, with operations in Rwanda, the company provides electric buses, charging infrastructure, and maintenance services for public transport operators.
