KIGALI, September 4, 2025 (Reuters) – Rwanda will unveil the first public flight of a pilotless electric air taxi in Africa at the Aviation Africa 2025 Summit, scheduled for September 10 and 11 in Kigali. This demonstration, carried out in partnership with China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), is intended to mark a milestone in the development of advanced air mobility on the continent.
The chosen aircraft, the EHang EH216-S, is a vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft capable of carrying two passengers. With 16 electric motors and a carbon fiber structure, it has a range of 35 km and a maximum speed of 130 km/h. Certified by the Civil Aviation Authority of China, it has already completed over 1,000 manned flights since 2018.
“Rwanda is actively building a future where our cities are more connected and our economy more dynamic through innovative transport solutions,” said Minister of Infrastructure, Jimmy Gasore, ahead of the summit.
The Aviation Africa Summit, held annually since 2015 and bringing together regulators, airlines, manufacturers, and investors, has become a major platform for discussing the future of aviation on the continent. The 2025 edition, organized for the first time in Kigali, will showcase innovations in electric aviation, sustainability, and regional connectivity.
With this project, Kigali aims to capitalize on its experience in using drones for medical delivery and assert its role as a technological pioneer. The inaugural flight of the EHang EH216-S is intended to serve as a reference for African regulatory authorities and attract new investments in the urban air mobility sector.
