What Will The Kigali Urban Cable Car Project Look Like?

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The Kigali Urban Cable Car Project is set to introduce Sub-Saharan Africa’s first aerial urban transit system, offering a new model for public transportation in cities facing similar topographical and mobility challenges.

The project, proposed for Rwanda’s capital, envisions a 5.5-kilometre network that will operate above ground, easing traffic congestion and providing a low-emission alternative to road transport.

The Kigali Urban Cable Car Project aims to directly address three core issues: traffic congestion, greenhouse gas emissions, and limited transport access in underserved areas. Kigali’s hilly terrain and fast-growing population have placed increasing strain on road infrastructure.

This cable car system will provide faster, more reliable movement across the city by bypassing road bottlenecks entirely. Electrically powered, it also offers a low-carbon solution to Kigali’s rising air pollution concerns, aligning with Rwanda’s broader environmental and climate objectives.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) approved a $500,000 grant on June 25, 2025, to fund a feasibility study into the first phase of the Kigali Urban Cable Car Project. This study will evaluate the technical, economic, environmental, and social viability of the project, laying the foundation for implementation.

According to AfDB Vice President Solomon Quaynor, the study is “a game-changing milestone,” with the Urban and Municipal Development Fund (UMDF) helping to prepare the project as a green infrastructure investment.

“By financing Rwanda’s urban cable car system, we are investing in a scalable model of low-carbon, inclusive public transport that cities across Africa can emulate,” added AfDB Group President Akinwumi Adesina.

The Kigali Urban Cable Car Project will cost an estimated $100 million, and aims to create a scalable public transport model adaptable to other African cities. Key expected outcomes include reducing travel time, increasing access to employment and public services, and encouraging inclusive growth.

The system will link key residential and commercial areas, particularly focusing on low-income and hillside communities where traditional transport systems have struggled to reach.

The project is also exploring a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Vuba Corp has been cited as a potential technology partner, particularly for autonomous transport components that could support operational efficiency and attract private capital.

If successful, the Kigali Urban Cable Car Project will be the first aerial cable car system used for urban public transit in Sub-Saharan Africa.

While similar systems exist in parts of Latin America and Asia, and cable cars in Africa have been used mostly for tourism, Kigali’s plan represents a new frontier in urban mobility for the continent.

From an infrastructure perspective, cable cars are less land-intensive compared to rail or highway expansion, requiring minimal ground-level disruption. This makes the Kigali Urban Cable Car Project particularly suited to a densely built and topographically varied city.

The project’s design includes phased expansion possibilities, which will allow it to evolve alongside Kigali’s transport needs.

Jefferson Wachira is a writer at Africa Digest News, specializing in banking and finance trends, and their impact on African economies.