A high-flying solution to urban congestion, Kigali’s cable car project aims to reshape African cities with climate-smart, inclusive transport.
By Ethical Business News Desk | June 28, 2025
Rwanda’s capital is setting its sights higher – literally. The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a $500,000 grant to fund a feasibility study for what could become sub-Saharan Africa’s first aerial urban transit system: the Kigali Urban Cable Car Project. More than a futuristic transportation experiment, this initiative positions Kigali as a pioneer in climate-resilient urban mobility and inclusive smart city infrastructure.
The 5.5-kilometre cable car network, valued at $100 million, is being spearheaded by Ropeways Transit Rwanda Ltd (RTRL), according to a press statement released by AfDB. Phase One will connect some of the city’s most vital transit and recreational nodes: the Nyabugogo Taxi Park to the Central Business District, and the Kigali Convention Centre to Kigali Sports City, encompassing major landmarks like Amahoro Stadium, BK Arena, and the newly opened Zaria Court.
Expected to launch construction in 2026 and be operational by 2028, the cable car system aims to carry over 50,000 passengers per day on a 15-minute end-to-end journey. Once complete, the network will complement Kigali’s broader transportation grid, serving as a climate-conscious alternative to congestion-heavy road routes.
A scalable model for smart, green cities
“The Kigali Urban Cable Car Project aligns perfectly with the Bank’s vision for sustainable, green, climate-resilient urban mobility,” said Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group.
“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.”
The project is being developed under Rwanda’s Green Taxonomy, its E-mobility Strategy, and its Climate and Nature Finance Strategy (CNFS) – a trio of frameworks aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and accelerating carbon neutrality by 2050. Rwanda has committed to cutting its emissions by 38% by 2030.
The feasibility study, supported through the AfDB’s Urban and Municipal Development Fund (UMDF), is set to draw insights from successful systems in La Paz, Bolivia, and Singapore. UMDF is a trust fund designed to empower African cities by offering direct support for project design, technical assistance, investment mobilization, and public-private engagement.
Inclusive infrastructure, global collaboration
The Kigali cable car will not just glide over traffic; it is expected to elevate standards of equity and innovation. The system’s design will prioritise accessibility for disabled persons, gender inclusion in employment, and technology transfer through local capacity building. According to Imena Munyampenda, Director General of the Rwanda Transport Development Agency, the project will be implemented through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, unlocking blended finance and commercial capital.
“The feasibility study is a game-changing milestone,” said Solomon Quaynor, AfDB Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialisation.
“Through the UMDF, AfDB is laying the foundation for an investment-ready green infrastructure asset that offers both impact and returns.”
Financing the future
The $100 million funding structure will consist of a strategic mix: grants, concessional loans, technical assistance, and blended finance. Alongside AfDB, potential financiers include the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Africa50, the Trade and Development Bank (TDB), the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), and private capital mobilized through the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa (AGIA), a global partnership co-led by AfDB, Africa50, and the African Union.
The feasibility study also aims to attract additional investment through platforms such as the Africa Investment Forum. It is a move that not only prepares Kigali for a high-flying future, but also sets a regional precedent for how African cities can integrate smart, sustainable transport into their urban planning playbooks.
As Africa urbanises rapidly, Kigali’s aerial leap could be a powerful symbol of how climate-friendly infrastructure and innovative financing can elevate both people and progress.
