A graduate in International Business with a specialization in Modern Logistics from WSG University (Wyższa Szkoła Gospodarki) in Poland, he currently works for Thales Alenia Space, a Franco-European company specializing in satellite and space technologies.

In an interview with IGIHE, Kevin Ishimwe spoke about the creation of Gerayo App, a mobile application he co-founded with Shema Aimé César, 24, from Nyarugenge, along with other Rwandan students living in Poland.

Designed to facilitate bus travel in Rwanda, the application aims to make public transport more accessible, predictable, and efficient for commuters.

An idea inspired by life in Poland

According to Kevin Ishimwe, the idea for Gerayo App emerged after observing the efficiency of Poland’s public transport system.

“As students living in Poland, we saw how transport applications make daily commuting easier. They allow users to know exactly when a bus, tram, or train will arrive, helping them avoid long waiting times at stations. We believed that introducing a similar system in Rwanda could further modernize public transport and make it more efficient and reliable,” he explained.

The knowledge gained through studies in international business, logistics, and modern technologies helped transform the idea into a practical solution tailored to Rwanda’s realities.

An application that helps users plan their journeys

Launched recently, Gerayo App enables passengers to plan their trips before leaving home.

Available free of charge on both the App Store and Google Play Store, the application provides essential information such as bus schedules, available routes, transfer options, and the exact locations of departure and arrival bus stops.

“If you do not know when your bus will arrive or which route to take to reach your destination, Gerayo App provides that information. The application also suggests connecting routes when a journey requires more than one bus,” Ishimwe said.

Thanks to these features, users can better organize their daily travel and significantly reduce the time spent waiting at bus stops.

An innovation covering Kigali’s entire bus network

One of Gerayo App’s main strengths is its ability to centralize information related to Kigali’s public transport network.

The application displays bus routes operating across the city, bus stops, and scheduled arrival times. It also informs users about possible delays and helps them quickly identify the best options to reach their destinations.

“Our goal is to enable users to know exactly when their bus will arrive, where their bus stop is located, and what options are available to reach their destination,” he said.

The application also helps passengers identify the necessary connections to reach a particular destination, a feature that is especially useful for people who are not yet familiar with Kigali’s transport network.

More than 1,500 weekly users

Just two months after its launch, Gerayo App has already received an encouraging response from the public.

According to Ishimwe, the application currently records more than 1,500 active users every week.

Feedback from users has been overwhelmingly positive.

“Many users tell us that the application helps them avoid being late for work or school. Others appreciate not having to spend time searching for bus stops or waiting without knowing when the next bus will arrive,” he explained.

Some users also say the application helps them manage their time more effectively and plan their journeys with greater confidence.

Ambitions to expand services

The developers of Gerayo App aim to continue improving the platform by strengthening collaboration with institutions responsible for public transport as well as with the City of Kigali.

“We would like to work more closely with stakeholders in the public transport sector and with the City of Kigali to improve data quality and provide users with a faster and more reliable service,” Ishimwe explained.

The team also hopes to establish a partnership with the Tap&Go system, allowing users to access and manage their accounts directly through the application.

In addition, Gerayo App’s developers are exploring the possibility of integrating a digital ticket payment solution within the application. This feature would allow passengers to pay for their journeys even if they have forgotten their Tap&Go card or have not had enough time to top it up before the bus arrives.

Beyond Kigali, the team is already considering the gradual expansion of its services to other parts of Rwanda.

“We are currently exploring opportunities to extend our services to different provinces across Rwanda so that more citizens can benefit from this technology and better plan their daily journeys,” Ishimwe told IGIHE.

This ambition reflects the team’s vision of making Gerayo App a nationwide reference platform for public transport.

A solution designed for all users

The creators of Gerayo App believe the application meets the needs of different categories of users.

For professionals, it helps prevent delays to important meetings through better journey planning.

For students, it reduces the risk of missing classes or examinations due to transport uncertainty.

For visitors and tourists, it makes it easier to explore Kigali and use the public transport network like a local resident.

“Your bus. Your route. Your time,” summarizes the Gerayo App team.

Driven by Kevin Ishimwe, Shema Aimé César, and other young Rwandans trained in Poland, this innovation demonstrates how technology can improve citizens’ daily lives and contribute to the modernization of public services in Rwanda.

Already available on the App Store and Google Play Store, Gerayo App continues to evolve with the ambition of becoming a national reference in public transport information and mobility services across Rwanda.

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