Longtai Group began operations in Rwanda in June 2025, focusing on the sale of electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles powered by both electricity and fuel.
Speaking to IGIHE, Longtai Group Rwanda’s Commercial Manager, François Regis Irareba, said the company’s success in Rwanda’s automotive market has encouraged plans to build a local assembly plant for Dongfeng vehicles, which would also serve regional markets.
“We want to build a vehicle assembly plant here in Rwanda. It will create jobs for Rwandans and help reduce the amount of foreign currency the country spends importing vehicles. Once completed, vehicles will be assembled locally and exported throughout the region. We expect the plant to be operational before 2030,” he said.
Major EV Charging Hub Planned
Longtai Group Rwanda is also planning to construct what it says will be the country’s largest electric vehicle charging station.
Irareba explained:
“We have a plan to build a charging facility in Kigali that will be the largest in the country. It will have the capacity to charge between 50 and 80 vehicles simultaneously, with vehicles reaching full charge within 30 minutes. Existing stations typically accommodate between two and six vehicles. We expect this facility to be operational before the end of 2026.”
Growing Presence in Rwanda
Longtai Group operates in China, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Angola, specializing in electric vehicles. While China remains its largest market, Rwanda has emerged as one of its most significant markets outside China.
Since its establishment in 2008, the company has sold more than 7,000 vehicles.
In Rwanda, one of its most popular models is the Dongfeng Nammi Vigo (Nammi 06). Over the past four months alone, Longtai Group has sold approximately 246 units of the model.
The vehicles are supplied with home charging equipment, allowing owners to charge them at home or other convenient locations without relying solely on public charging stations. Their batteries are designed to last between 15 and 20 years.
Depending on the model, a fully charged vehicle can travel between 330 and 1,000 kilometers on a single charge.
According to the company, a round trip between Kigali and Rubavu costs around Rwf 18,000 in electricity for a Dongfeng EV, compared to approximately Rwf 90,000 in fuel costs for conventional vehicles, up from about Rwf 60,000 before recent fuel price increases.
About Dongfeng Motor
Founded in 1969 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, Dongfeng Motor is one of China’s five largest automobile manufacturers.
The company produces vehicles under several brands, including Dongfeng, Voyah, Forthing, Aeolus, Fengdu, and Venucia.
During the first quarter of 2026, Dongfeng sold 528,000 vehicles, representing a 12.3% increase compared to the same period in 2025. The company accounted for 8.23% of all vehicle sales in China during that period.
Through partnerships with other automakers, Dongfeng also manufactures vehicles for brands such as Honda, Nissan, and Kia.
Partnership with Stellantis
In May 2026, Dongfeng Motor entered into a strategic partnership with Stellantis, one of Europe’s largest automotive groups.
Stellantis owns and manufactures several well-known brands, including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, and Vauxhall.
The partnership aims to establish a joint venture responsible for the production, distribution, marketing, and development of new Dongfeng vehicles in Europe.
Under the agreement, the new European venture will be majority-owned by Stellantis with a 51% stake, while Dongfeng Motor will hold the remaining 49%.
Source: IGIHE
