The closure of border crossings between Goma in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Gisenyi in Rwanda continues to send shockwaves through the local economy. Residents, including traders, street vendors, and business owners, are already feeling the pinch of reduced commercial activity.

Rwanda implemented strict health measures to curb the spread of Ebola, including border closures and enhanced sanitary controls at all entry points. While these precautions aim to protect public health, they have inadvertently crippled cross-border trade that sustains livelihoods on both sides.

Local vendors bear the brunt of lost trade

Jacques Safari, a street vendor selling eggs near the Goma border, has seen his daily income plummet since the closures. Where he once sold up to five trays of eggs per day, he now struggles to move two. The decline in foot traffic has wiped out much of his customer base, most of whom were travelers crossing the border regularly.

“The border closure has plunged us into a deep socio-economic crisis,” he explained. “Most of our customers relied on cross-border movement, and their disappearance has devastated our sales.”

Wholesalers face supply chain breakdowns

Gross merchants at Birere Market are also grappling with severe disruptions. Hamuli Kasilembo, a wholesaler, describes how the once-reliable supply chain from Rwanda has ground to a halt. Deliveries have become erratic, and demand has dropped sharply. The slowdown in cash flow has made transactions increasingly difficult, compounding the challenges.

Economic experts warn of prolonged fallout

Economists had foreseen the severe repercussions of the border shutdown. Alphonse Muanda highlights how daily exchanges between Goma and Gisenyi form the backbone of the region’s economy. Small-scale traders rely heavily on this trade for their livelihoods, often traveling to Gisenyi to stock up on essential goods like rice, soap, and other bulk items.

“Closing the border hits the most vulnerable hardest,” Muanda emphasized. “Many traders depend on daily earnings from cross-border transactions. When the flow stops, entire livelihoods are put at risk.”

The Rwandan government enforced the border closure as part of Ebola containment efforts, and the measure remains in place. Residents of Goma fear the economic strain will deepen in the coming weeks, pushing more families into precarity.