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ASIA MACHINERY INVESTMENTS TO ESTABLISH SINOTRUK ASSEMBLY PLANT IN RWANDA

Asia Machinery Investments Ltd, the official distributor of Sinotruk (HOWO) commercial vehicles in Rwanda, is set to expand into vehicle manufacturing with the establishment of a truck assembly plant in the country. The investment marks a significant milestone for the company, which has spent the past decade building the Sinotruk brand in Rwanda’s heavy commercial vehicle market. Company executives say the project will support Rwanda’s industrialization agenda, create employment opportunities, and strengthen the country’s position as a regional hub for commercial vehicle production. By Fleet Intelligence.

Economics

By MANZI

On Saturday 11 July 2026

This article was viewed 18 times

The announcement was made during the unveiling of the latest HOWO truck model, an event that also commemorated the company’s tenth anniversary in Rwanda. The launch brought together customers, business partners and industry stakeholders to showcase the new generation truck, which features updated technology and a modern design tailored to the evolving needs of the transport and construction sectors.

Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer Francis Ruzagiriza reflected on the company’s journey over the past ten years, describing it as a period of sustained growth and increasing customer confidence.

“When we first introduced HOWO trucks to the Rwandan market, many customers were unfamiliar with the brand. Through reliable products and strong aftersales support, we earned their trust, and many of our early customers became our strongest ambassadors by recommending the trucks to others,” he said.

Ruzagiriza noted that demand for the trucks has continued to grow since the company entered the market, recalling that one of its first customers purchased 60 vehicles shortly after operations began.

Today, HOWO trucks supplied by Asia Machinery Investments are widely used in Rwanda’s construction, infrastructure and freight sectors. The company also says many trucks purchased in Rwanda operate across neighbouring countries, highlighting the country’s growing role in regional logistics.

“If you travel to Uganda today, you will find many trucks carrying Rwandan registration plates, and a large number of them were supplied by Sinotruk Rwanda,” Ruzagiriza said.

Building on this success, the company plans to begin assembling trucks locally. The assembly plant will be constructed in Kayonza District in Rwanda’s Eastern Province and is expected to commence operations by September 2027.

According to the company, the facility is expected to create more than 1,500 jobs while improving access to commercial vehicles for customers in Rwanda and across the East African region. Local assembly is also expected to reduce reliance on fully built imports and support the development of technical skills within the country’s automotive industry.

Ruzagiriza said the decision to invest in local assembly was informed by strong and sustained market demand.

“We now have a clear understanding of both the Rwandan and regional markets, and we see significant opportunities for growth. Local assembly is the next logical step in our expansion strategy,” he said.

In addition to supplying heavy duty trucks, Asia Machinery Investments provides genuine spare parts, including engines, gearboxes and other critical components, supported by aftersales service to keep customer fleets operating efficiently

The company is also preparing to introduce electric trucks to the Rwandan market as demand grows for lower emission transport solutions. The battery powered vehicles are expected to deliver a driving range of between 300 and 400 kilometres on a single charge, supporting Rwanda’s transition towards cleaner and more sustainable mobility.