Trade at Gisenyi-Goma border slows down due to COVID-19 testing

The Gisenyi-Goma border post, known as the busiest border crossing in Africa in terms of human traffic, has faced challenges despite the recent partial reopening. The primary hindrance to the quick return to normal trade activity has been the cost of COVID-19 testing. Economic Analyst, Ted Kaberuka, shed light on the situation in a recent interview with CNBC Africa. Kaberuka mentioned that while the border has partially reopened for essential travel such as cooperative exporting, importing goods, and professional purposes, the mandatory COVID-19 testing has impacted the movement of people significantly. Each individual crossing the border is required to test negative for COVID-19, incurring an additional cost of $50 for the test, on top of the expenses for necessary travel documents. Kaberuka acknowledged that these costs pose serious challenges for businesses and travelers, but expressed hope that they may be alleviated as the situation progresses towards normalcy. Despite the challenges, he emphasized that the partial reopening was received positively by the people, indicating a step in the right direction. The expenses associated with COVID-19 testing have been a point of concern for those crossing the border, especially considering the cost of $60 for the test. While individuals departing and returning through international flights have to bear this cost twice, Kaberuka clarified that for those crossing between Goma and Gisenyi, a single test suffices for a period of 15 days. This cost-efficient approach for frequent border crossings aims to facilitate movement while ensuring public health safety measures are met. Kaberuka highlighted the importance of minimizing disruptions to trade and travel between the neighboring regions of DRC and Rwanda, where economic activities heavily rely on cross-border exchanges. The Gisenyi-Goma border post plays a pivotal role in the economic activities of both Rwanda and DRC, facilitating the exchange of goods and services, including agricultural produce and other products. The interconnectedness of the two countries extends beyond trade, encompassing professional interactions such as teachers, nurses, and students crossing borders for various purposes. Additionally, the region is known for tourist activities, with shared natural resources further emphasizing the significance of seamless border operations. Kaberuka emphasized that the border closure has affected thousands of jobs linked to cross-border trade, ranging from small-scale traders to large companies involved in international commerce. In a positive development for Rwanda's economy, the Minister of Finance, Uzziel Ndijimana, recently projected a GDP growth of around 5%, surpassing earlier forecasts of 3% amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Kaberuka attributed this optimistic outlook to the quick recovery of the health situation in Rwanda following lockdown measures. While certain sectors continue to face limitations due to global restrictions on movement, Kaberuka expressed confidence that key areas of the economy have shown resilience and adaptability, contributing to the projected growth rate. The government's efforts to manage the health crisis effectively have paved the way for a more robust economic recovery, with a focus on sustaining trade activities with neighboring countries and supporting sectors that drive growth.