(Ecofin Agency) - In recent years, Rwanda has been stepping up initiatives to become a carbon-neutral economy by 2050. As part of this target, the government launched a pilot project for electric motorcycles in 2020. The same year, it also committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 38% by 2030.

This year, the country welcomed a new electric vehicle assembly plant. According to information reported by the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA Rwanda), the facility was built by the Chinese company "Tailling Electric Vehicle" (TAILG). It is located in the Gahanga industrial zone, in Kicukiro district.

The plant will specialize in the assembly, sale, and maintenance of new energy electric vehicles such as bicycles, scooters, and tricycles. Through this initiative, TAILG contributes to the emergence of a sustainable, clean and efficient, affordable, and cost-effective transportation system in Rwanda.

"Our products will improve the transport needs of Rwandans because the electric vehicles are designed in consideration with Rwanda's terrain," said Tiger Hoo, the unit’s MD, whose comments were relayed by Xinhua. Rwanda adopted a green growth and climate resilience plan in 2011 to respond to the growing challenges of climate change. The plan focuses on agricultural intensification, agricultural diversification into local and export markets, integrated water resources management and planning, integrated land use and management, ecotourism, conservation and payment for ecosystem services, and an efficient and resilient transport system.

In 2018, vehicle emissions were identified as the main source of pollution in Kigali, the country's capital.

Jean-Marc Gogbeu, intern