Volkswagen has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Rwanda to establish a modern farm with electric tractors.
The MoU was signed by Dr Ildephonse Musafiri, the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Serge Kamuhinda, CEO of Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda, and Martina Biene, Chairperson and Managing Director of Volkswagen South Africa, in the presence of Imelda Labbé, member of the Brand Board of Management of Volkswagen for Marketing, Sales and After-sales.
As part of the MoU, the Government of Rwanda has agreed to provide land in Gashora (Bugesera District) for the project, as well as to assist with permitting and licensing requirements of the project.
The objective of the GenFarm Project in Rwanda is to make a positive, sustainable socio-economic and environmental impact on the community by creating a carbon neutral business ecosystem.
The GenFarm Project is a holistic ecosystem of e-powered mechanised farming service for rural areas in Africa that is reliable, sustainable and environmentally friendly. The excess energy used to charge the electric tractors will provide power for post-harvest handling and storage.
The pilot project in Rwanda is steered by Volkswagen Group Innovation in partnership with Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda.
“The signing of the MoU with the Government of Rwanda marks yet another milestone for Volkswagen’s sustainable mobility lighthouse projects in Rwanda. Our long-term plan is to build up demand for electric batteries in Africa by introducing locally relevant business solutions.
“The future of mobility in Africa will also be determined by the storage and distribution of green energy. With the GenFarm, we hope to address the mobility needs of customers with high transformational impact on the African economy,” says Martina.
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Sarah Redshaw
BAIC South Africa used the Festival of Motoring 2026 at Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit to highlight both its established range and new energy vehicle ambitions. The event marked the first public appearance of ARCFOX in South Africa, alongside the unveiling of BAIC’s X55 Plug‑in Hybrid Electric Vehicle.
When Volvo introduced the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric to South Africa in late 2021, the timing raised eyebrows. The country was enduring a severe power crisis, with loadshedding recorded on 200 days that year.
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