Rwanda unveils first home-built car

Rwanda unveils first home-built car

- Rwanda has unveiled its first locally built car

- Car manufacturer, Volkswagen has built a new factory in Kigali

The first locally manufactured car in Rwanda has been unveiled following a partnership with Volkswagen.

The Polo was unveiled at Volkswagen’s new factory in the capital of Rwanda, Kigali, on Wednesday.

Although the Polo is the first model being made at the site, there are plans to reach an annual production of 5,000 cars in the first phase.

Rwanda unveils first home-built car
The Volkswagen production line at the Kigali Special Economic Zone. Source: URUGWIRO

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The German automotive manufacturing company also has plans to build its Passat, Tiguan, Amarok and Teramont models in the East African country.

According to the BBC, Volkswagen, which is Europe’s biggest car maker, has made a $20m (£15m) investment in Rwanda, and is expected to create up to 1,000 jobs.

This will be done through direct sales of their cars and using them in an Uber-like car-sharing system that will allow people to book rides using their smartphones.

Despite Rwanda’s population of 12 million, car ownership in the East African country is very low.

Rwanda unveils first home-built car
President Paul Kagame and Volkswagen officials during the launch of the carmaker's Kigali assembly plant on June 27, 2018. Source: URUGWIRO

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According to Rwanda’s tax collection body, there are just over 200,000 private cars registered in the county.

Volkawagen already has a plant in Kenya, with the company bent on expanding in Sub-Saharan Africa.

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