Leandre Berwa: How a Rwandan Innovator Is Turning Old Batteries into Clean Energy

Leandre Berwa

In many parts of the world, new technology often comes from big companies. But sometimes, the best ideas come from people who understand everyday problems.

Leandre Berwa is one of those people. He is a Rwandan entrepreneur working on battery technology and clean energy in Africa.

He is known for his work on second-life batteries and battery-as-a-service. These ideas help make electric transportation cheaper and more practical.

This is the story of a young innovator who turned a problem into an opportunity.

Early Life

Leandre Berwa was born in Rwanda, a country known for innovation and development.

Growing up, he became interested in engineering and energy. Like many African countries, Rwanda faces challenges such as high fuel costs and limited electricity in some areas.

Instead of seeing problems, Berwa saw opportunities.

During his studies, he learned about renewable energy and battery technology. One thing caught his attention:

Motorcycles are widely used across Africa, but they all run on petrol.

This causes pollution and high fuel costs.

He began to ask:
Is there a better way?

The Problem

Motorcycles are very common in African cities. In Rwanda, they are used as taxis.

They help people move around and provide jobs. But they also have problems:

• Fuel is expensive
• They cause pollution
• They are noisy

Electric motorcycles seem like a good solution.

But there is a challenge:

Batteries are expensive, and charging takes time.

For riders, time is money. Waiting hours to charge is not practical.

Battery as a Service

Berwa explored a new idea called battery as a service.

Instead of buying a battery, riders subscribe to a system.

When their battery is low, they go to a station and swap it for a charged one.

It only takes a few minutes.

This helps by:

• Reducing costs
• Saving time
• Making electric bikes easier to use

Second-Life Batteries

Berwa also worked on another idea: second-life batteries.

Batteries lose power over time and are often thrown away.

But they still have some energy left.

Instead of wasting them, they can be reused for:

• Storing solar energy
• Powering homes
• Supporting charging systems

This is very useful in Africa, where energy storage is limited.

His Work

Berwa became part of Rwanda’s growing electric mobility system.

Battery swap stations are being built to support electric motorcycles.

His work focuses on using batteries in a smarter way:

• First use: vehicles
• Second use: energy storage
• Final stage: recycling

This reduces waste and saves resources.

Impact

His ideas help in many ways:

• Less pollution
• Less fuel use
• More clean energy
• More jobs

Electric motorcycles are cleaner and quieter than petrol ones.

Reusing batteries also reduces waste and the need for new materials.

Opportunities

Battery systems create jobs, such as:

• Technicians
• Engineers
• Business owners

Riders also benefit:

• Lower costs
• More income

It’s a win for everyone.

Rwanda’s Role

Rwanda supports innovation and clean energy.

Electric transport is growing, especially in Kigali.

This makes it easier for people like Berwa to test new ideas.

Challenges

There are still challenges:

• Battery systems are complex
• Infrastructure is needed
• Investment is required

But progress is being made through teamwork and innovation.

Global Importance

Second-life batteries are becoming important worldwide.

They can:

• Store energy
• Support electric vehicles
• Provide power in rural areas

Africa is not just using these ideas—it is helping lead them.

Inspiration

Berwa’s story shows that great ideas can come from simple questions.

He asked:

What if motorcycles didn’t need petrol?

That question led to real solutions.

Conclusion

Leandre Berwa is helping shape the future of clean energy in Africa.

Through simple but powerful ideas, he is making transportation cleaner and more affordable.

His story proves that innovation can come from anywhere—and Africa is part of the future.