A biodiesel bus (Rwanda)

Rwanda has produced a bus which runs on 100% biodiesel, the first in Africa, in collaboration with the Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (IRST). There are only two buses of this kind in the world and both were designed by the Swedish Scania Company. The other biodiesel bus is in Brazil.

The biodiesel is obtained from palm tree oil, such as Jatropha and Moringa trees, as well as animal fat, and is manufactured locally, thus avoiding costly fuel imports to a landlocked country. The institute currently produces 2,000 litres per day. According to the Minister of Forestry and Mines, plants like Jatropha and Palm can be grown along the roads and between paddocks in farms and can produce an income for farmers.

The Rwanda Express bus has made its first long distance run from Kanombe-Mulindi to Akanyaru on the Rwanda-Burundi border.

The data collected from the use of the bus will help the two countries protect their environment, and also encourage the private sector to invest in public transport using safe, low-cost and locally available cleaner fuels.