For years, Rwandan truckers and exporters have fueled trade across East Africa, but now, a brewing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is bringing their business to a standstill.
Olivier Munyemana, a seasoned truck driver, once navigated the Dar es Salaam-to-DRC route with ease. Now, he won’t dare cross the border. With the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels seizing key towns like Goma and Bukavu, locals enraged by Rwanda’s involvement have turned against Rwandan drivers.
“I can’t risk my life or my truck,” Munyemana says. Attacks on Rwandan drivers, burned trucks, and mounting hostility have made the route a no-go zone.
The economic fallout is staggering. The DRC, Rwanda’s second-largest trading partner, imported $156 million worth of Rwandan goods last year. Now, major firms like Anjia Prefabricated and Cimerwa are struggling. Cement shipments are blocked, alternative routes add costly delays, and some businesses have lost millions.
As the crisis unfolds, Rwandan truckers are left with a choice—risk their safety or sacrifice their income. For now, many offload at the border, paying a price for a conflict beyond their control.
Will trade ever flow freely again, or is this the new reality for Rwandan exporters?
