AfDB backs $100m project for Africa's first urban cable car in Kigali
The African Development Bank approved a $500,000 grant to support a feasibility study for the Kigali Urban Cable Car Project.
The project, featuring a 5.5 km cable car network worth $100 million, aims to revolutionize public transit in Kigali, Rwanda.
The initial phase will connect key city sites such as Nyabugogo Taxi Park, the Central Business District, and Kigali Sports City.
The African Development Bank has approved a $500,000 grant to support a feasibility study for the Kigali Urban Cable Car Project, a first-of-its-kind aerial urban transit system in sub-Saharan Africa.
The initiative, led by Ropeways Transit Rwanda Ltd (RTRL), marks a major step toward revolutionising public transportation in the Rwandan capital with a 5.5 km cable car network valued at $100 million.
'This transformative project aligns perfectly with the Bank's vision for green, climate-resilient infrastructure. By financing Rwanda's urban cable car system, we are investing in a scalable model of low-carbon, inclusive public transport that other African cities can emulate,' African Development Bank President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina said.
The first phase of the project will cover two major corridors: from Nyabugogo Taxi Park to the Central Business District (CBD) and from the Kigali Convention Center to Kigali Sports City, linking key public sites like Amahoro Stadium, BK Arena, and Zaria Court.
The grant, sourced from the Bank's Urban and Municipal Development Fund (UMDF), will finance the groundwork for a system designed to ease traffic congestion, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and improve access to jobs and essential services for underserved communities in the Rwandan capital.
Funding model
The $100 million funding structure will comprise a strategic mix of grants, concessional loans, blended finance, and technical assistance.
The feasibility study is expected to attract international investment, including through platforms like the Africa Investment Forum (AIF). The UMDF previously funded the feasibility study for Kigali's Urban Transport Improvement Project, demonstrating its commitment to improving urban mobility infrastructure.
Construction of the cable car system is slated to begin in late 2026, with completion and commissioning scheduled for 2028. Once operational, the system is expected to transport over 50,000 passengers daily in a seamless 15-minute end-to-end journey, fully integrated with Kigali's current public transport network.
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