The borders in question include the Grande Barrière (also known as 'La Corniche'), Petite Barrière, which connect Rwanda with the DRC. These borders now open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 10:00 p.m.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 50,000 people crossed three official borders daily, with the Grande Barrière operating 24 hours a day.
Rubavu District Mayor, Mulindwa Prosper, told IGIHE that the number of people using the Rubavuâ€"DRC border crossings has reached 43,000.
'The number of users at the Grande Barrière and Petite Barrière has increased to 43,000, not counting those who use the Kabuhanga border,' he said.
Residents working at the Gisenyi cross-border market told IGIHE that they now rely on trust-based trade, as many Congolese clients lack cash.
They cited reasons including the shut down of banks in Goma by the Tshisekedi administration, making it difficult for citizens to access their savings.
Sifa, a Congolese resident of Ndosho in Nyiragongo Territory, said that most products coming from Rwanda to her area are fruits and vegetables. She also confirmed that their current trade depends heavily on mutual trust.
'Banks are closed, so we're using the little money we had at home or we take goods on credit based on trust. We go, sell them, and return to pay later,' she said.
Sifa added that reopening banks would give them access to much-needed capital.
The AFC/M23 rebel group began controlling the border posts between Rwanda and the DRC on the side of Goma in January 2025.
IGIHE
