KIGALI, Rwanda – The Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) PLC has signed a landmark financing agreement worth over FRW 4.5 billion with Jali Finance, a Rwandan non-deposit-taking financial institution, to expand access to electric motorcycles and accelerate the country’s transition to cleaner, more sustainable transport.
The partnership aims to make electric motorcycles more accessible to riders across Rwanda, particularly motorcycle taxi operators who form the backbone of urban and peri-urban mobility. By lowering the barriers to acquiring electric bikes, the financing will help riders significantly reduce operating costs electric motorcycles offer up to 40% lower operating costs compared to petrol-powered alternatives, effectively doubling operator income.
“At BRD, we firmly believe that green initiatives and economic growth are two sides of the same coin,” said Innocent Gatete, Director at BRD’s Special Projects Unit. “We are not just financing vehicles; we are structuring a completely new financial ecosystem that can unlock large-scale climate finance and support sustainable development.”
A Growing E-Mobility Ecosystem
The agreement comes as Rwanda accelerates its electric mobility agenda. In January 2025, the government stopped registering petrol-powered motorcycles for public transport in the City of Kigali, limiting registration to electric motorbikes only. The policy shift is part of broader efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen green growth, with Rwanda pledging a 38% cut in emissions relative to business-as-usual by 2030.
Jali Finance, founded in 2017 by Felix Nkundimana, specializes in lease-to-own financing for electric motorcycles and other income-generating assets. The institution has been at the forefront of Rwanda’s e-mobility transition, having previously financed the acquisition of over 2,000 electric motorcycles. Its financing model goes beyond transportation—it is about “accelerating economies, enabling mobility, creating income, and driving sustainable growth for the future.”
Lower Costs, Higher Incomes for Riders
For motorcycle taxi operators, the shift to electric vehicles offers tangible economic benefits. A fully charged battery costs around FRW 2,450 and allows travel of up to 75–80 kilometres. Riders also save on maintenance—electric motorcycles eliminate the need for weekly oil changes and other regular expenses associated with petrol bikes. One Jali Finance customer noted that since switching to an electric motorcycle, he has been able to pay his children’s school fees on time and save regularly.
Financing Economic, Social, and Environmental Impact
The FRW 4.5 billion agreement builds on BRD’s broader commitment to green finance. Through the Rwanda E-Mobility project—implemented by the Rwanda Green Fund and BRD—innovative financing mechanisms including rebate schemes and credit enhancement facilities are helping unlock investment and make electric motorcycles more accessible. The E-Moto Credit Enhancement Facility, backed by a EUR 8.3 million first-loss guarantee, reduces investment risk and helps unlock financing for early-stage transactions.
“Access to finance is often the bridge between good ideas and scalable solutions,” said Tokam Ulrich Cabrel, Advisor at the Technical Support Unit to the Mitigation Action Facility. “A transition is only successful if people can actually participate in it, and this project is creating mechanisms that allow more people to do exactly that.”
Advancing Rwanda’s Green Growth Ambitions
The partnership between BRD and Jali Finance reinforces Rwanda’s position as a regional leader in sustainable transport. With over 110,000 motorcycles in the country—70,000 of which are motorcycle taxis—the transition to electric mobility represents a significant opportunity to reduce emissions, improve air quality, and create green jobs. The initiative is expected to contribute to Rwanda’s goal of achieving a net-zero economy by 2050.
“Together, we are financing economic, social, and environmental impact and advancing Rwanda’s green growth ambitions,” a BRD spokesperson said.
- About Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) PLC: BRD is Rwanda’s leading development finance institution, dedicated to financing sustainable development across key sectors including infrastructure, energy, and green mobility.
- About Jali Finance: Jali Finance is a Rwandan non-deposit-taking financial institution providing lease-to-own financing for electric motorcycles and income-generating assets, with a strong focus on e-mobility and youth empowerment.
