The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame on Wednesday, July 30, at Urugwiro Village.
According to a communique released by the Office of the Prime Minister, the initiative is designed to promote broader environmental protection and safeguard the health of citizens by enhancing air quality, particularly in urban centres.
The new fees are part of a wider campaign announced by the Ministry of Environment on July 24, which will see emissions testing incorporated into regular vehicle inspection protocols.
How the system will work
Under the new regulations, all vehicles, including motorcycles, will be required to undergo an initial emissions test. Vehicles that pass will be cleared, while those that fail must be repaired and brought back for reinspection within two weeks.
The reinspection will cost half the price of the original test. If delayed beyond the two-week window, the owner will have to pay the full testing fee again.
Emissions checks will be conducted alongside standard mechanical inspections, either once or twice a year, depending on the vehicle's classification and usage.
The Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) confirmed that emissions testing equipment is currently being installed at existing inspection centres, with full implementation expected within the next month.
Fee structure by vehicle category
Motorcycles and similar small-engine vehicles will pay Frw 16,638 for the initial emissions inspection. If a reinspection is required within two weeks, the fee will be Frw 8,319.
Passenger vehicles with a capacity of up to eight seats (plus the driver) and a maximum authorised weight of 3.5 tonnes will be charged Frw 34,940 for the first test, and Frw 17,470 for the reinspection.
Vehicles carrying between nine and thirty passengers, as well as all goods vehicles ranging from 1.5 tonnes to over 7 tonnes, will each pay Frw 51,578 for the initial test. The reinspection fee for these categories will be Frw 25,789.
Any other motor vehicle not listed in the above categories will be charged Frw 49,914 for the initial test, and Frw 24,957 if they return within the allowed two-week reinspection window.
The emissions testing scheme is part of a national effort to reduce air pollution, which remains a growing concern in Rwanda's expanding urban areas. Officials say the programme will help ensure that vehicles on the road meet minimum emissions standards, reduce harmful pollutants, and encourage owners to maintain cleaner engines.
Meanwhile, during the Wednesday meeting, the Cabinet also approved the allocation of state land to the Africa Health Sciences University for the development of a medical education campus. The move is part of efforts to boost health training capacity and meet Rwanda's growing need for qualified medical professionals.
Additionally, the cabinet granted accreditation to the International Covenant College, which will launch with two academic programmes, digital media technology and early childhood development, with plans to expand its offerings in the future.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
