Volkswagen said it had taken another step towards developingmarket potentials in Africa.
VWSA boss, Thomas Schaefer, signed a memorandum of understandingwith Director of the Rwandan Development Board, Francis Gatare on Wednesday.
According to a VW statement, the MOU “for a new integratedmobility concept in Kigali” was signed in the presence of Rwandan presidentPaul Kagame and the CEO of the Volkswagen brand, Dr Herbert Diess.
“The concept provides for app-based mobility solutions such ascar sharing and ride hailing to be offered in Rwanda,” the statement said.
“The concept provides for app-based mobility solutions such ascar sharing and ride hailing to be offered in Rwanda. For this purpose, anenvironmentally compatible local vehicle production facility is to beestablished in the capital city Kigali to cover vehicle demand for theintegrated mobility concept.”
“In addition, possibilities of training initiatives for thelocal population are being investigated together with other German companies.Rwanda is well-suited to be a pioneer of new mobility solutions as it has apopulation of young tech-savvy people and its capital Kigali is seen as themost connected city in Africa.”
"Volkswagen is consistently developing marketpotentials in Africa. Only a few hours ago, we inaugurated our third productionfacility in Africa in Kenya. Today in Rwanda, we are launching a concept thatwill foster individual mobility in this rapidly developing country and makethis market a further pillar of the Volkswagen brand's commitment toAfrica," said Thomas Schäfer in Kigali.
Gatare said his country welcomes Volkswagen and its innovativeapproach to mobility concepts in Rwanda.
“We may be a small country but we believe that we are a pioneer.Our country is determined to become the leading innovator in Africa. Thesignature of this memorandum of understanding today is a further step on ourpath to digitalization and modernization," he said.
The concept includes car sharing and ride hailing services aswell as the establishment of a local production facility in accordance with theenvironmental standards of Volkswagen's Think Blue. Factory Initiative.
“The vehicles required for the new mobility solutions in Rwandaare to be taken entirely from local production. Volkswagen South Africa isforging ahead with this initiative in Rwanda together with Volkswagen's Kenyanpartner DT Dobie based on current experience from the establishment ofproduction in Kenya,” the statement said.
“Volkswagen's commitment to Rwanda also includes the training oflocal people. The possibility of cooperation for the establishment of atechnical academy is being investigated together with other German companies.In the long term, the objective is to generate employment, know-how transferand sustainable growth.”
(statement and pic: Supplied)
