To address transport challenges in the country, government should attract more investors in the transport sector, Rwanda Utility Regulatory Authority (Rura) has urged.

Eugene Kivunangoma, director of transport sector in Rura said during rush hours, people are usually stranded in parks and at stages, meaning the country has few passenger vehicles.

He wants Rwanda Investment and Export Promotion Agency (Riepa), a government arm formed to promote investments and boost exports to regard transport as a priority, as a virgin investment area.

Currently, the association of transporters (ATRACO)—has over 850 minibuses, 15 coasters and two big buses, while the government-owned transport company, ONATRACOM, has 22 buses, with a seating capacity of 60 passengers.

Other transport companies have 22 coasters altogether. But most of these commuter vehicles operate within Kigali City, leaving other parts of the country under-served.

State minister for industry and investment promotion Vincent Karega attributed the transport crisis to poor programming of transporting companies.

The head of the ATRACO Col. (Rtd) Dodo Twahirwa recently said the current transport crisis is a result of increased travelers while the number of vehicles is not increasing.

Karega said government is doing its best to attract investors in the transport industry by putting in place incentives.

Some of these incentives include tax exemptions on imported transport vans. Others are connecting local investors to leading car exporters in Japan and Dubai. 

Ends