RwaMoto

Rwamoto helps tourists and foreigners get accurate motorcycle taxi prices in Rwanda, supporting government efforts to increase fairness, transparency, and trust in local transport.

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*Boda boda and Moto are both what motorcycles are called in the region, and are a key form of transportation for everyone, quite similar to rickshaws *

Inspiration

Living in Rwanda, I’ve seen and heard a lot about just how confusing and inconsistent moto taxi pricing can be, notably for tourists or anyone who doesn’t speak the local language, Kinyarwanda. This leads to many visitors being overcharged or avoiding motos altogether because they’re unsure of what a fair price is. While the local government has introduced fare meters, most riders ignore them due to the incredibly high rates they can charge people. And this is not just a problem in Rwanda but in so many other areas, from Boat Tours in Bali, Thailand, or the Caribbean, Taxis in Egypt, Morocco, or Mexico, rickshaws in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and so many other examples all over the world. Ultimately, in so many places in the world, tourists are constantly getting scammed for not being a local, and I thought that just wasn't right, hence this led me to my idea to create Rwamoto, a simple tool that could help not only my government and tourists who come to Rwanda, but also so many more.

What it does

RwaMoto is a simple web tool that provides accurate moto ride price estimates in Rwanda. It uses Google Maps to calculate trip distance and time, then applies a local pricing formula based on official rates, data personally collected from moto drivers, and more. It also offers helpful tips for first-time riders. Key features: Google Maps-powered routing and autocomplete (region-locked to Rwanda) Weather alerts via OpenWeather API Mobile-first design with no login required Save frequent locations for fast reuse First-time rider tips for tourists

How I built it

I developed the frontend using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, with the Google Maps Platformpowering core features like map rendering, directions, and address autocomplete. Users simply enter pickup and drop-off points, and the app calculates a moto fare using the formula.

Challenges I ran into

As my first solo project, I had to learn everything on the go from responsive design and API handling to Figma, deployment, and securing API keys. One of the biggest challenges was building a pricing system that worked dynamically with real-time Maps data, while still being simple enough for everyday users and also going out of my comfort zone to teach myself responsive design and carefully test across different screen sizes, since most users would be using the mobile version.

Accomplishments I’m proud of

  • My biggest accomplishment is purely just how much I learnt about web development through self-teaching
  • Built a fully functional, real-world mapping and pricing tool
  • Used Google Maps APIs effectively to solve a local mobility issue
  • Designed an impressive UI design tailored for both mobile and large screens
  • Took a solo idea from concept to live launch by myself

What I learned

  • How to integrate and secure third-party APIs
  • The full Google Maps Platform stack (Maps, Directions, Autocomplete)
  • Mobile-first responsive design principles
  • How to design UIs using Figma
  • That curiosity, persistence, and YouTube are powerful tools, even without formal training

What’s next for RwaMoto

  • Get the opportunity to test with both local, tourist, and more to get real-world feedback
  • Add multilingual support to the website to better serve global visitors
  • Upgrade UI/UX using modern frameworks like Vue.js or React
  • Scale the project to other regions in the world with similar issues
  • Partner with local motorcycle cooperatives or the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA)

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