African Development Bank funds feasibility for Rwanda’s US$100mn cable car to improve urban transport access. (Image source: AfDB)

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a US$500,000 grant to fund a feasibility study for Kigali’s proposed aerial urban transit system, set to become sub-Saharan Africa’s first cable car network

The initiative is being spearheaded by Ropeways Transit Rwanda Ltd (RTRL).

The funding comes from the Bank’s Urban and Municipal Development Fund (UMDF) and will support the development of the Kigali Urban Cable Car Project. Valued at US$100mn, the 5.5 km transport solution is designed to alleviate traffic congestion, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and improve access to jobs and essential services for underserved communities.

Hosted by the African Development Bank, the UMDF provides technical assistance and financial support to cities, helping them identify and prepare investment-ready urban projects.

Phase 1 of the project will cover two main routes: from Nyabugogo Taxi Park to the Central Business District, and from the Kigali Convention Center to Kigali Sports City, passing key landmarks such as Amahoro Stadium, BK Arena and Zaria Court.

The feasibility study aims to attract international investment, potentially through platforms such as the Africa Investment Forum (AIF). UMDF has previously supported Rwanda’s Kigali Urban Transport Improvement Project to enhance investor confidence in the transport sector.

Construction is expected to begin in late 2026, with commissioning planned for 2028. Once operational, the system could carry over 50,000 passengers daily on a 15-minute end-to-end journey, fully integrated with Kigali’s broader transport network.

African Development Bank Group president Dr. Akinwumi Adesina said, “This transformative project aligns perfectly with the Bank’s vision for sustainable, green climate-resilient urban mobility infrastructure, and with the Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy, which focuses on urbanisation, and the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa (AGIA), a global partnership initiative driven by the African Development Bank Group, Africa50 and the African Union. By financing Rwanda’s urban cable car system, we are investing in a scalable model of low-carbon, inclusive public transport that cities across Africa can emulate.”

The project also supports Rwanda’s climate targets, as outlined in its Green Taxonomy, E-mobility Strategy and Climate and Nature Finance Strategy, aiming to cut emissions by 38% by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2050.

The cable car project will be implemented under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), according to Imena Munyampenda, Director General of the Rwanda Transport Development Agency.

The feasibility phase will draw insights from successful cable car systems in cities like La Paz, Bolivia and Singapore, and will incorporate inclusive design principles for disabled access and employment opportunities for women, low-income groups, and youth.

Blended financing model

The project’s US$100mn financing will include grants, concessional loans, blended capital, and technical assistance. The UMDF grant will specifically support assessment of the viability gap. The Rwandan government will partner with the African Development Bank Group and others including IFC, Africa50, TDB, AFC, and private investors under the AGIA to structure blended and commercial finance.

CEVA Logistics has already built a strong operational base in Cameroon

CEVA Logistics continues to grow its presence across the African continent with the construction of a new logistics base in the port area of Kribi, Cameroon

The 30,000 m² facility is scheduled to open between September and January and will feature 25,000 m² of space for import-export container storage and 5,000 m² of warehouse space.

A global leader in third-party logistics, CEVA is strengthening its commitment to the development of trade in Central Africa through the strategic expansion of its regional operations and logistics capabilities. The company is focused on delivering innovative and sustainable logistics solutions tailored to the specific needs of the African market. As part of this commitment, CEVA has launched the construction of a new logistics platform near the Port Authority of Kribi, supporting its role as a key contributor to economic growth in the region.

Located just two kilometres from the port, the new platform will be capable of receiving and storing up to 2,200 import and export TEUs on its 25,000 m² container storage area. The 5,000 m² warehouse will accommodate export-bound products such as cotton, sesame, cocoa, gum arabic and lumber.

Growing footprint in Cameroon

CEVA Logistics has already built a strong operational base in Cameroon, with offices in Douala, Yaoundé and Kribi. The company manages a 20,000 m² container depot in the port area of Douala, offering storage for up to 1,200 TEUs, along with warehousing and bonded storage facilities. This is supported by an additional logistics hub in the Bonabéri industrial zone.

Cameroon’s transport and logistics sector is experiencing rapid growth, driven by increasing trade volumes across Central Africa. By establishing operations in Kribi, home to the country’s only deep-water port, CEVA has made a strategic investment in what is becoming Cameroon’s most important logistics and economic gateway.

CEVA Logistics continues to expand in Africa

The development of the Kribi platform forms part of CEVA’s wider strategy to become a major player in transport and logistics throughout Africa. The company is already present in 24 countries and plans to extend its logistics services to four more, including Gabon, Ghana, Guinea and the Republic of Congo by the end of 2025.

Mehdi Ghozayel, head of Central Africa Cluster, CEVA Logistics, said, “The construction of this new logistics base in Cameroon, designed to meet the growing logistics needs of economic operators in the region, marks a new stage in the development of our presence in Central Africa. With this platform, strategically located close to the port area in Kribi, we will continue to support our customers in their commercial exchanges to and from Cameroon.”

Entrance to Tatu City Special Economic Zone in Kenya. (Image source: Emirates Logistics)

Emirates Logistics has announced its expansion into Kenya, with plans to build a state-of-the-art logistics facility at Tatu City Special Economic Zone (SEZ), just outside Nairobi

The company said in a statement that the facility will support the growth of its clients across sub-Saharan Africa.

“We are proud to strengthen our presence in Kenya with our expansion to Tatu City, reinforcing Emirates Logistics’ global footprint of comprehensive logistics capabilities," said Steven van der Vliet, chief commercial officer, Emirates Logistics.

“This new strategic facility is part of our broader commitment to offering world-class infrastructure in key growth markets,” he added.

“Being located at the heart of Kenya's economic engine allows us to deliver flexible, seamless and tailor-made logistics solutions that empower both our existing and new customers to thrive.”

Construction of the new logistics facility will begin this year, adding to Emirates Logistics' global presence spanning 15 countries and a worldwide network of agents.

Within Africa, the company operates owned warehousing, offices, and transport fleets in Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, as well the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Malaysia, outside the continent.

“Tatu City warmly welcomes Emirates Logistics to its new home in Kenya, where it will thrive in a conducive business environment,” said George Kapanadze, group chief financial officer at Rendeavour, the owner and developer of Tatu City SEZ.

Rendeavour is now Africa's largest new city builder, with developments for individuals and businesses across the continent, including Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“As a mixed-use Special Economic Zone, we specialise in attracting foreign direct investment to Kenya in an infrastructure-ready location that offers the services and amenities global investors like Emirates Logistics demand, including housing, retail, schools, parks, and recreation,” remarked Kapanadze.

Tatu City is Rendeavour's flagship development in Kenya and already welcomes 25,000 people daily, who live, work and study within its thriving community.

The city hosts over 100 businesses, including Heineken, Cold Solutions, CCI Global, Dormans, FullCare, Kärcher, CKL, Naivas, NCBA, Grit Real Estate Income Group, Hewatele, Freight Forwarders Solutions, Tamarind Group, ADvTECH, Friendship Group, Bakels, Novis, and Davis & Shirtliff.

Firms in the SEZ benefit from a range of incentives, including a 10% corporate tax rate for the first 10 years and 15% for the following 10 years, compared to the standard 30%.

Businesses also enjoy VAT zero-rating on goods and services and exemptions on import duty and stamp duty.

Read more: 

Elevating African trade with air cargo

Kenya's largest call centre opens in Tatu City

The groundwork for growth