President Paul Kagame on Thursday received a Chinese investment delegation led by Xu Hui, Chairman of Rich Resource International Investments (RRII) and Vice Chairman of Chery Holding Group, in discussions centered on expanding strategic investments in Rwanda.
The meeting, held at Village Urugwiro on April 23, 2026, focused on key sectors with high investment potential, notably a proposed project to establish an electric vehicle (EV) assembly plant in Rwanda.
According to a statement from the Office of the President, the initiative aligns with Rwanda’s drive to accelerate industrialization and promote clean, low-emission transport solutions.
RRII, a Chinese investment firm, operates across sectors including finance, metals trade, mining, and transport. Chery Holding Group, a major automotive and industrial conglomerate founded in 1997 and restructured in 2010, is among China’s leading vehicle manufacturers.
The engagement builds on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on April 12, 2026, between the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and Chery Holding Group, covering cooperation in electric mobility, renewable energy, agriculture, and mineral trade.
The planned investments come as Rwanda intensifies efforts to transition to green mobility and reduce reliance on fossil fuel-powered vehicles.
Earlier, on April 14, 2026, the Ministry of Infrastructure directed public institutions to ensure that at least 30% of newly procured vehicles are electric, part of a broader strategy to cut fuel dependency and curb emissions.
The government is targeting a 38% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, with the transport sector currently accounting for approximately 12% of national emissions.
In a related policy shift, Minister of State for Infrastructure Amb. Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye announced that Rwanda will progressively phase out the importation of petrol and diesel-powered motorcycles, encouraging the adoption of electric alternatives.
This follows an earlier decision in January 2025 to halt the issuance of new licenses for petrol-powered commercial motorcycles in Kigali, marking a significant step toward cleaner urban transport.
mu Mujyi wa Kigali.
