Passenger drones unveiled in Rwanda (Photos) #rwanda #RwOT

The launch took place on September 3, 2025, just hours before the ninth edition of the Aviation Africa summit, a two-day conference bringing together over 80 aviation companies from across the continent.

The drones, known as eVTOLs (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing vehicles), are manufactured by Chinese company EHang and run entirely on electricity.

Each drone costs approximately $400,000 (approximately Frw 579 million), can carry two passengers, transport over 620 kilograms of cargo, cover 30 kilometres, and fly for up to 25 minutes on a full charge. They operate at an altitude of 100 metres, feature 12 rotors mounted on four arms, and are equipped with technology to detect obstacles mid-air.

Melissa Rusanganwa, International Affairs Manager at the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA), was the first to experience the aircraft in flight.

'I felt safe throughout the flight,' she said. 'The crew conducted thorough checks and gave us instructions to follow. This technology will connect people across different regions and support tourism while being environmentally friendly, as the drones are fully electric.'

Rwanda has previously used drones mainly for medical deliveries. Zipline Rwanda, operational since October 2016, has delivered blood, vaccines, and medical supplies to over 650 health facilities, including more than 100 small clinics. Their drones carry 2â€"3 kilograms, travel up to 160 kilometres at speeds of 130 km/h, and complete long-distance trips in under 40 minutes.

The country is also developing a state-of-the-art Drone Operation Centre in Huye District, Southern Province, on the site of a former airfield. The 13.4 billion Rwandan franc facility will accommodate drones of all sizes, including large models comparable to helicopters with wingspans of 18â€"20 metres. It will host up to 3,000 drones at once and include areas for assembly and testing of new drones.