The demonstration, featuring the EHang EH216-S electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, took place in Kigali ahead of the Africa Aviation Summit 2025 that took place on September 4–5.
The Government of Rwanda partnered with China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and EHang, a global leader in urban air mobility technology, to launch the pilot flight.
The EH216-S, designed to carry two passengers, soared to an altitude of around 100 meters, representing the next step in Rwanda’s bold embrace of advanced air mobility technologies.
Officials say the move strengthens Rwanda’s position as Africa’s hub for testing and implementing cutting-edge aviation technologies.
By working with CRBC’s global engineering expertise and EHang’s pioneering aircraft, Rwanda aims to develop an ecosystem for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), a field expected to ease urban congestion, reduce carbon emissions, and create new models for sustainable transportation.
Passenger drones or “flying taxis” are still in early stages worldwide but are gaining traction in countries such as China, the United Arab Emirates, and some European cities.
They are viewed as eco-friendly, electric-powered alternatives for short-distance urban travel. Rwanda’s successful debut places the country among global early movers in this field.