“Kujya muri Bus ni Flex,” says Hon. Jean de Dieu UWIHANGANYE, Rwanda’s State Minister for Infrastructure.
Kigali is entering a new era of mobility, and the timing could not be better for both residents and visitors. On 2 December 2025, the city begins a public transport model that is reliable, efficient and green. It is designed to make movement easier for everyone, including travellers who want to explore Rwanda without paying high prices for private transport.
For years, tourists have assumed that the only way to enjoy Kigali comfortably is by taking taxis, renting cars or booking private vans. That narrative is shifting. The new bus system gives visitors and backpackers the same comfort and convenience at a fraction of the price.
Buses will run on a fixed schedule, which means no more long queues cutting into precious touring time. From February 2026, travellers will be able to track their buses in real time through a digital platform that shows exact arrival and departure times. Planning a day trip across the city will become as smooth as planning an excursion.
Speed is also becoming part of the story. Public transport will receive priority at traffic junctions and major roads. The first priority corridor opens from Downtown to Remera, then expands to other roads by June 2026. In practical terms, the bus will get you to key tourism spots faster than private cars stuck in traffic.
Kigali is also pushing hard toward clean mobility. By December 2026, the target is a major shift to electric buses supported by smart transport technology. The experience becomes comfortable and sustainable at the same time: quiet buses, cleaner air and modern onboard systems that match the ambitious Vision 2050.
This creates a new travel experience. A couple on a budget holiday can move from the airport to the Convention Centre and then to Kimironko Market without draining their wallets. A solo traveler can discover Nyamirambo or Kigali Arena without worrying about taxi fares. Group travelers can tour the entire city using a bus system that is safe, affordable and built for convenience.
This public transport reform is more than a mobility upgrade. It is Kigali opening up the city to everyone regardless of income level. Tourists no longer need to spend heavily to feel welcome or comfortable. The experience of discovery becomes accessible, social and community oriented.
If everything stays on course, Kigali in 2026 will be one of the first African capitals where visitors genuinely prefer public transport over private cars. Not because it is cheaper only, but because it is better.
The message to the world is simple.
Visit Kigali, explore Kigali, enjoy Kigali.
You do not need luxury budgets to feel at home here.
