Rwanda’s e-mobility startup, IZI, has announced the delivery of five electric buses to Kigali, the country’s capital city, after obtaining a substantial grant from the Rwandan Green Fund.
IZI, a frontrunner in electric vehicle solutions which says it is on a mission to electrify Rwanda’s public transport sector, has, in just four months of operation, grown its initial fleet of five electric buses to an enviable height.
CEO of the startup, Alex Wilson, believes the grant is a testament to the success story of IZI.
“These results validate our E-Mobility-as-a-Service model. We’re not just reducing emissions; we’re proving that sustainable public transport is economically viable in Africa.
“Building on this success, IZI has secured an RWF 300,000,000 grant from the Rwanda Green Fund to deploy five additional electric buses in Kigali.
“These vehicles will represent the most advanced public transport in Rwanda to date, boasting features such as an independent intelligent driver’s cabin, air suspension balanced driver’s seat, full LCD dashboard, one-step entry, and a flat-floor design for improved passenger comfort,” he said.
He added that the success of IZI’s pilot has led to strong demand from other Rwandan public bus operators.
“IZI has now signed contracts with 4 leading transport companies for the deployment of over 100 buses, marking a significant expansion of its operations.
“Looking ahead, IZI plans to establish a state-of-the-art battery maintenance and repair facility in Kigali, supporting the entire EV ecosystem in Rwanda and positioning the country as a centre of innovation in the EV industry,” he added.