Proudly made in Rwanda: President Kagame launches VW’s first car assembly plant in Kigali [Photos]

German auto manufacturing company Volkswagen (VW) on Wednesday, June 27 launched its first car assembly plant in Rwanda. The ceremony, which was attended by Rwandan president Paul Kagame saw the official roll-out of the first Rwandan assembled VW (Polo hatchback) vehicle.

Speaking at the event, President Kagame stressed on Africa not needing to be a dumping ground for second-hand vehicles or anything second hand. According to him, “Africa does not need to be a dumping ground for second-hand cars, or second-hand anything. In the long run, you end up paying a higher price anyway. If you can pay a high price for second hand, why not pay a high price for something new? It is a simple choice. Africans, Rwandans, we deserve better. This is one way of showing how we can afford it. For these and other reasons, this promising partnership with Volkswagen is off to a good start.”

Below are photos of the ceremony:

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Photo via Kagame’s Flickr page

Photo via Kagame’s Flickr page

Photo via Kagame’s Flickr page

Photo via Kagame’s Flickr page

Photo via Kagame’s Flickr page

Photo via Kagame’s Flickr page

Photo via Kagame’s Flickr page

Photo via Kagame’s Flickr page

Photo via Kagame’s Flickr page

Photo via Kagame’s Flickr page

Photo via Kagame’s Flickr page

Photo via Kagame’s Flickr page

Photo via Kagame’s Flickr page