Rwanda Continues Phasing Out Plastic, Gasoline Cars

Rwanda implemented a ban on gasoline-powered motorcycle taxis, possibly in December last year, requiring a transition to electric vehicles. Rwanda's ban on gasoline-powered motorcycle taxis was enforced around last December, with confiscated vehicles being transported by trucks at the end of the year. Gasoline-powered motorcycle taxis were banned, with confiscations of such vehicles occurring at year-end as part of the mandate to switch to electric vehicles. Confiscated gasoline-powered motorcycles were transported by truck at the end of last year, following the ban implemented in December 2025. The Rwandan President recognized early on that gasoline motorcycle taxis were not sustainable due to raw materials not being available in Africa. Rwanda is reportedly implementing policies to stop the use of plastic and phase out gasoline-powered vehicles, transitioning towards electric vehicles. A Japanese radio source noted that Rwanda is currently not using plastic and is phasing out gasoline-powered vehicles. A Japanese radio source highlighted Rwanda's ongoing efforts to phase out plastic use and abolish gasoline-powered vehicles, noting it as a positive environmental trend.