Rush hour in Rwanda

Buses, matatus, moto-taxis: the need for mobility is growing in Rwanda's capital Kigali

To ease the pressure on local transport, Volkswagen wants to introduce a ride-hailing system - an element of the company's Africa strategy

Robert Kazahura shifts impatiently in his seat. He has been waiting for half an hour for the bus to finally set off from the bus station in Kimironko, in the centre of Kigali. Driver Jean Karambizi sits behind the wheel and shrugs his shoulders. ‘You know the rules, my friend,’ he snaps at the only passenger over his right shoulder. In other words: until the bus isn’t full, it won't leave. Then he calmly continues typing into his mobile phone. Kazahura frowns and looks out of the window.

Long queues of people have formed in front of the other city buses this morning - but not on his. ‘There'll be a few late for work again,’ he grumbles through his teeth. Kazahura worked as a chef in an international hotel for a long time. Now he is looking for work and is on his way to a job interview in Kinyinya, in the north of the city. He needs the job. He can't afford to be late.