Audio By Carbonatix
Rwanda unveiled its first locally built car at Volkswagen’s new factory in the capital, Kigali, on Wednesday.
The Polo is the first model being made at the site and the German automaker plans to reach annual production of 5,000 cars in the first phase, by also building its Passat, Tiguan, Amarok and Teramont models.
Volkswagen, which is Europe’s biggest carmaker, has made a $20m (£15m) investment in Rwanda and is expected to create up to 1,000 jobs.
The company plans to both sell vehicles and use them in an Uber-like car-sharing system that will allow people to book rides using their smartphones.
Car ownership is low in Rwanda. There are just over 200,000 private cars registered in a county of 12 million people, according to the country’s tax collection body.
The German company is expanding in Sub-Saharan Africa and opened a plant in Kenya in 2016.
Latest Stories
-
One killed and many feared trapped under collapsed building in Philippines
3 minutes -
Trump tells US negotiators ‘not to rush’ into deal with Iran
12 minutes -
Conte to leave Napoli a year after winning Serie A
16 minutes -
Iraola signs off after writing new Bournemouth chapter
20 minutes -
Fifi Folson marks 20 years on air with Thanksgiving Service, launches teen gospel initiative
27 minutes -
The moment that broke Guardiola on day a decade of glory ended
35 minutes -
Raducanu beaten in French Open first round
45 minutes -
Sabalenka cuts media short as French Open players protest
56 minutes -
Ghana’s Jada Yankey clocks new personal best at AP Race London International
2 hours -
GPL 2025/26: Berekum Chelsea end season on high with win over Bechem
2 hours -
Alleged shooting of chief’s brother by galamseyers triggers tension at Gwira Ampansie
2 hours -
Livestream: The Probe examines New Decentralisation Policy
2 hours -
Enterprise Insurance pays over GH¢280m in claims in 2025
2 hours -
Ato Forson congratulates Benin’s former finance minister on inauguration as President
3 hours -
GOIL announces GH¢0.06 dividend per share for investors
3 hours