Trade along the Rubavu-Goma border is booming, with 50,000 crossings every day
The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) reports that cross-border trade between Goma, DR Congo, and Rwanda’s Rubavu city is booming.
More people and products were able to pass between the two cities after the AFC/M23 rebels extended the border opening hours after seizing Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu, early this year.
Petite Barrière and Grande Barrière border stations are among the busiest in the world, with over 50,000 people crossing them every day, according to data from Rubavu District.
Between Rubavu and Goma, more than 50,000 people now pass through Petite Barrière and Grande Barrière every day.
The number has increased from the 1,200 individuals who used to pass during COVID-19, when pandemic restrictions significantly impacted commerce. There were between 40,000 and 50,000 pre-COVID crossings. About 30,000 crossings each day were reported by Rwandan officials a month after the rebels seized control of the Congolese city.
Prudence Sebahizi, Rwanda’s Minister of Trade and Industry, primarily credits the improved security situation in Goma for the surge in trade.
Rwanda’s secondary city and entry point for business and tourism is Rubavu.
“We have seen an increase in daily movement of cross-border traders; in fact, Rubavu is now the busiest border of all Rwandan borders,” said Sebahizi. “There are business opportunities across the two countries, we know that this border trade was interrupted earlier this year due to insecurity, but we’ve recently witnessed security being restored.”
Sebahizi further urged the populace to return to their regular commercial operations and capitalize on the advantageous conditions. “So, we are encouraging business people to continue their activities as usual,” he stated.
DR Congo was Rwanda’s second-largest export destination in 2024. According to data from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), annual exports to the neighboring nation rose by 32% to $229.5 million (about Rwf321 billion) in 2024. Rwanda exports mostly agricultural goods to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Freer border travel, which has been restored for more than five months since the rebels took over the major city in eastern DR Congo, is helping numerous cross-border traders, including Xavera Ugiriwabo and Felix Busoro.
Before the rebels established the new government, the cross-border traders remember the losses they would inevitably incur.
“There would always be misunderstandings with our neighbours in DR Congo, leading to a lot of losses,” Ugiriwaho recalled. “As a member of cross-border cooperatives, I used to smuggle, but now we are devoted to working legally, like any other business person.”
The benefits have been especially felt by women cross-border traders, who make up over 70% of the market, according to local authorities.
“The situation has considerably changed; we observe a tremendous difference today, thanks to the security provided to us, which is improving business between the two towns,” Ugiriwabo stated.
“Congolese citizens no longer control our business practices or obtain our goods on loan. Another cross-border merchant, Antoinette Icyimanizanye, added, “We take goods there, sell them, and return safely.” “Today, Rwandans are safe; we no longer face insecurity issues like imprisonment.”
