KARIEGA/KIGALI – Volkswagen Group Africa has officially commenced operations at its multifunctional facility designed to pilot modern agricultural practices utilizing e-tractors in Africa. This facility is located in Gashora, Rwanda, approximately 60 kilometers from the capital city, Kigali.
The GenFarm Project represents a comprehensive ecosystem of electronically powered mechanized farming services designed for rural regions in Africa, characterized by its reliability, sustainability, and environmental friendliness. Additionally, the project offers mobility services for the transportation of goods and individuals. In June 2023, the Volkswagen Group Africa entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Rwanda to allocate land for the development of the GenFarm Project.
Volkswagen Group Africa has officially commenced operations at its multifunctional facility designed to pilot modern agricultural practices utilizing e-tractors in Africa. This facility is located in Gashora, Rwanda, approximately 60 kilometers from the capital city, Kigali.
The GenFarm Project represents a comprehensive ecosystem of electronically powered mechanized farming services designed for rural regions in Africa, characterized by its reliability, sustainability, and environmental friendliness. Additionally, the project offers mobility services for the transportation of goods and individuals. In June 2023, Volkswagen Group Africa entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Rwanda to allocate land for the development of the GenFarm Project.
We are expanding our presence in Africa and consider Rwanda to be a crucial market for growth. This initiative exemplifies our dedication to sustainable practices and underscores our capacity to deliver mobility solutions to both rural and urban communities, the latter of which is currently served by our Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda division. The GenFarm Project promotes technological innovation and is in alignment with the Volkswagen Group’s strategy to create significant value for society and the environment through sustainable mobility,” said Martina Biene, Chairperson and Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Africa.
The GenFarm Project is being implemented in Rwanda in collaboration with Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda and the Volkswagen Group Innovation Centre Europe. The Empowerment Hub (e-Hub), currently in its initial phase as a pre-Hub constructed from specially equipped standard containers, will serve as a crucial element of the GenFarm initiative. Preparations for the construction of the permanent e-Hub are currently underway, with an anticipated operational date in the first half of 2025. The e-Hub will be equipped with a photovoltaic power system and an energy storage system, providing clean energy, storage facilities, and business space for cooperatives. This space will accommodate their service operations, including e-tractor and e-scooter services. Volkswagen Group Africa is responsible for facilitating the stakeholder steering committee and evaluating potential expansion opportunities following the pilot phase.
Volkswagen Group Innovation Centre Europe is responsible for supplying the e-tractors and providing equipment for the project, which is based in Wolfsburg, Germany. Meanwhile, Volkswagen Mobile Solutions Rwanda serves as the catalyst for operating the pilot hub and offers essential input and support for the operations.
Dr. Nikolai Ardey, the Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Innovation, elucidated the operational framework of the GenFarm initiative. He stated, “Our objective is to provide a range of services within the empowerment hubs. Farmers have the option to reserve an e-tractor, complete with a trained operator, to facilitate cost-effective and sustainable agricultural practices. A distinctive feature of this project is the implementation of a battery swap system, which integrates the battery into the hub’s energy infrastructure, thereby serving as both an energy source and storage solution for the tractor.”
The GenFarm Project is collaboratively supported by the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. RICA is an organization that integrates research, education, and extension services to train the next generation of farmers and agricultural professionals in Rwanda. On behalf of the German government, GIZ, among other responsibilities, is procuring the essential machinery for the e-tractors and evaluating the necessary services that the hub is intended to offer to local farmers.
All collaborators contribute distinct expertise and resources to the GenFarm Project.
The pilot phase of the project is expected to provide advantages to cooperatives located in Gashora, situated within the Bugesera district.
Over the past three decades, Rwanda’s economy has experienced substantial growth. The agricultural sector has played a crucial role in enhancing the livelihoods of Rwandans and supporting the national economy. Currently, this sector contributes approximately 25% to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
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