Africa’s first self-flying air taxi takes flight in Rwanda
Rwanda made history after launching the first public flight of a self-flying electric air taxi in Africa during the Aviation Africa 2025 Summit in Kigali. The event, attended by over 1,700 delegates including government officials and aviation experts, presented Rwanda’s pioneer ambition in Africa’s aviation.
The flight demonstration resulted from a collaboration between the Rwandan government, China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), and EHang Holdings Limited, a Chinese company listed on Nasdaq. The vehicle, EHang EH216-S, is an autonomous electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft developed by EHang.
The two-passenger craft, powered by 16 electric motors, reached an altitude of 100 meters during a short programmed flight at the Kigali Convention Centre. It can travel at 100 kilometers per hour, with a maximum speed of 130 kilometers per hour, a range of 35 kilometers, and a flight duration of about 21 minutes.
With a 220-kilogram payload capacity and a two-hour recharge time, the EH216-S emphasizes sustainability and safety through redundant systems. CRBC provided infrastructure support, while EHang leveraged its expertise from over 1,000 manned flights globally, including in China, Indonesia, and Spain.
President Paul Kagame, present at the event on September 5, called it a milestone for African aviation, emphasizing its potential to drive economic growth. The summit provided a platform to discuss regulatory frameworks and investment for urban air mobility.
“Today, for the first time in Africa, a self-flying air taxi has taken to the skies,” said Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame at the summit on September 5. “We are very happy to be part of this demonstration and look forward to seeing what comes next.”
Rwanda, already a leader in drone-based medical deliveries, built on this experience to integrate the air taxi into its transport vision. Rwanda’s Infrastructure Minister, Jimmy Gasore, described the flight as a step toward sustainable urban mobility, addressing traffic congestion and enhancing connectivity.
“This demonstration is a symbol of our commitment to building cities that are more connected, sustainable, and innovative,” Gasore said.
CRBC’s Rwanda director, Huang Qilin, highlighted the project’s role in advancing Africa’s “low-altitude economy.” He mentioned that “We are proud to support Rwanda’s vision of becoming a pioneer in aviation technology.” The Rwandan Civil Aviation Authority facilitated the demonstration, building on the EH216-S’s certification by China’s aviation regulator.
Written by Abeeb Lekan Sodiq
Abeeb Lekan Sodiq is a Managing Editor & Writer at theafricandream.net. He’s as well a Graphics Designer and also known as Arakunrin Lekan.
