Mount Kigali University and Africa Green Mobility Solutions Ltd (Spiro) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance sustainable mobility, research, and innovation in Rwanda.
The agreement, signed at the university’s campus, underscores a shared commitment to supporting Rwanda’s clean transport agenda and contributing to national climate goals.
As part of the partnership, Spiro donated five electric motorcycles to Mount Kigali University for training, demonstration, and awareness campaigns.
The collaboration will also see the installation of a battery-swap station at the MKU campus, providing students and researchers with hands-on experience in Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption and sustainable transport solutions.
The MoU outlines a wide scope of collaboration, including joint research and innovation, capacity building, student internships, and public awareness initiatives. MKU students will benefit from internship placements at Spiro, access to technical training, and exposure to real-world applications of Electric Vehicle technology. The two institutions will also co-develop academic content, host public lectures, and establish platforms to promote knowledge sharing on sustainable mobility.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Martin Kimemia, Vice Chancellor of Mount Kigali University, thanked Spiro for the initiative and emphasized the transformative potential of the partnership.
“Today marks an important milestone for Mount Kigali University as we formalize this collaboration with Spiro. The donation of these electric motorcycles is not only a generous gesture but also a practical tool that will allow our students to engage directly with sustainable technologies,” Dr. Kimemia said.
He added that the event symbolizes MKU’s vision of linking academic excellence with industry needs.
“As institutions of higher learning, we must remain at the forefront of innovation. This MoU gives our students and faculty an edge in research, training, and technology, while aligning with Spiro’s mission of sustainable mobility. Together, we aim to contribute to Rwanda’s economic transformation and environmental goals.”
Kaushik Burman, Chief Executive Officer of Spiro, highlighted the broader vision of the partnership, linking it to global and national priorities.
“Spiro’s vision is nation-building. As all of you are aware, the world faces a climate crisis, and electric mobility is one of the ways to tackle it. This MoU reflects our commitment to working with Rwandan institutions like Mount Kigali University to invest in environmental sustainability. Today is just the beginning, and I look forward to building this partnership further,” Burman noted.
This partnership is part of a much wider national effort. Rwanda has set an ambitious target to become a carbon-neutral nation by 2050, and the transport sector is a key focus. To accelerate the shift to Electric Vehicles, the government has introduced a range of incentives, including tax exemptions on Electric Vehicles, batteries, and charging station equipment.
The country is also working on developing a National Sustainable Mobility Policy and is seeing other companies, such as Ampersand and Volkswagen, contributing to the growth of the Electric Vehicle ecosystem.
Both parties also committed to co-applying for research and innovation grants, developing quality assurance standards for Electric Vehicle adoption, and exploring commercialization opportunities for innovations that emerge from the collaboration.
