The abrupt closure of the border crossing between Goma (Democratic Republic of the Congo) and Gisenyi (Rwanda) has sent shockwaves through the local economy, leaving small traders struggling to survive.
Jacques Safari, a street vendor selling eggs in Goma, is one of those feeling the pinch. Before the border shutdown, he regularly sold five trays of eggs daily, but now barely moves two. “Business has dropped drastically,” he explains. “Most of my customers were travelers crossing the border. Without them, my sales have plummeted.”
Supply chain disruptions deepen hardships
Wholesalers in Goma are also facing severe challenges. Hamuli Kasilembo, a trader at Birere Market, says the lack of cross-border movement has crippled supply chains. “We used to easily cross into Rwanda to restock goods like rice and soap. Now, sourcing products has become nearly impossible, and even finding buyers is difficult because money isn’t circulating like before.”
Economic fallout expected to worsen
Economists warn that the border closure, enforced by Rwanda under Ebola containment measures, will have long-term repercussions. Alphonse Muanda, an economist, points out that the border trade was a lifeline for countless small-scale merchants in Goma and Gisenyi. “Daily wage earners and petty traders relied entirely on cross-border transactions. Many bought goods in bulk from Rwanda to sell locally,” he notes.
With the border still sealed, residents of Goma fear the situation will only deteriorate further, pushing more families into economic distress in the coming weeks.