Rwanda’s Cabinet has greenlit an extensive set of reforms covering public transport, monetary policy, and climate action, according to a statement released Friday by the Office of the Prime Minister.
The Ministry of Infrastructure plans to launch a modernized public transport system in Kigali this December to boost efficiency, reliability, and environmental sustainability, with potential expansion to other cities, the statement said.
The initiative will implement scheduled bus services, introduce real-time tracking for equitable route coverage, and support Rwanda’s broader green and smart-city goals under the Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and Vision 2050.
Separately, the National Bank of Rwanda will phase out several older banknote series that have been in circulation for over ten years and are increasingly prone to counterfeiting. The demonetization will include a 12-month transition before the notes lose legal tender status, ensuring the security and integrity of the national currency.
The Cabinet also approved the Ministry of Environment’s release of Rwanda’s Nationally Determined Contribution 3.0, an updated Climate Action Plan detailing measures to strengthen resilience, reduce emissions, and manage climate risks through 2035.
The plan focuses on protecting communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems from floods, droughts, and landslides while aiming for a 53 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across energy, transport, agriculture, industry, and waste sectors.
To coordinate these efforts, a new Rwanda Country Platform for Climate and Development will oversee national projects, investments, and international partnerships.
Additionally, the Cabinet endorsed a draft law ratifying a loan agreement with the Export-Import Bank of China for the Giseke Irrigation Project. The $47-million concessional financing, signed in January, will fund the Giseke Dam and irrigation infrastructure in Gisagara district, supporting agricultural resilience by irrigating 2,640 hectares and advancing NST2 priorities on water efficiency and improved irrigation productivity.
