Rwanda has officially inaugurated its first Helmet Testing Laboratory under the ‘Tuwurinde’ Project, a collaborative effort between the Government of Rwanda, the FIA Foundation, Healthy People Rwanda, and the UN Road Safety Fund (UNRSF), with support from the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). The facility, located at the Rwanda Standards Board (RSB), aims to ensure that helmets used by motorbike and moped riders comply with national safety standards.
The laboratory will assess the conformity of helmets in line with the RS 576:2024 Protective Helmets Specification, reinforcing Rwanda’s commitment to enhancing road safety. By ensuring helmet quality, the initiative seeks to reduce head injuries and fatalities caused by motorcycle crashes, which account for one-third of Rwanda’s road deaths.
High-profile Launch Event
The launch event, attended by over 200 participants, was officiated by Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Jimmy Gasore, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, and FIA Foundation Chairman David Richards. The event featured a tour of RSB’s testing laboratory, live helmet usage demonstrations, and discussions on the role of safety standards in sustainable transport.
Dr. Jimmy Gasore emphasized the significance of the facility, stating, “This laboratory strengthens our commitment to road safety by ensuring helmets meet quality standards. It’s a critical step in protecting lives and reducing road accidents. By collaborating with the FIA and FIA Foundation, we are enhancing safety measures and reinforcing Rwanda’s position as a leader in sustainable, responsible mobility.”
FIA Foundation Chairman David Richards called the initiative a “milestone” for Africa, highlighting its potential to serve as a model for other countries. He praised Rwanda’s efforts in introducing helmet standards and quality control, describing it as a crucial step in promoting responsible mobility.
Helmet Donation and Education Program
As part of activities during the 2024 FIA Annual General Assemblies in Kigali, the FIA announced a plan to donate 5,000 certified helmets across Rwanda. Additionally, an educational campaign will be conducted to train over 10,000 riders on helmet safety. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem affirmed, “Safety is at the heart of everything the FIA stands for,” noting that the donations and training would be supported by the FIA Safe and Sustainable Mobility Grants Programme.
Rwanda National Police Spokesperson, ACP Boniface Rutikanga, welcomed the initiative, stressing that road safety remains a top priority. “Initiatives like ‘Safe Helmet’ play a vital role in protecting lives. We are committed to working with RSB and the FIA Foundation to ensure all taxi-moto riders in Rwanda have access to certified helmets, contributing to safer roads for everyone,” he said.
Emmanuel Munyurangabo, representing the Association of Taxi-Motos, highlighted the role of moto-taxis in Rwanda’s transport system. “Access to quality helmets not only ensures their safety but also enhances public confidence in using moto-taxis. We fully endorse this initiative and will advocate for its widespread adoption,” he stated.
Advancing Road Safety in Rwanda
The launch of the helmet testing facility comes after the introduction of Rwanda’s first motorcycle helmet standard in 2024. The World Health Organization reports that head trauma is the leading cause of death for motorcycle riders, but quality helmets reduce the risk of death by over six times and brain injury by up to 74%.
By implementing quality standards and testing helmets locally, Rwanda aims to reduce preventable deaths and injuries among motorbike riders. The Tuwurinde Project, supported by partners like UNRSF, UNECA, and UNECE, marks a major step forward in Africa’s efforts to promote safe, sustainable transport.