Rwanda Imports from Kenya Drop Over 80% After Border Gridlock
By The Urban Gazette East Africa Business Desk
Kigali , Rwanda
Trade figures show that Rwanda’s imports from Kenya have plunged by more than 80%, a dramatic downturn attributed to persistent gridlock at the Malaba border crossing — a major transit point for goods moving from the Port of Mombasa into the East African hinterland.
Traders from Kigali report delays, high clearance costs, and logistical backlogs that have pushed many importers to seek alternate routes or slower transit corridors through Tanzania and Burundi. Agricultural inputs, industrial machinery, and consumer goods are among the most affected commodities.
Regional trade analysts argue that unless Malaba’s operational bottlenecks are resolved — including infrastructure upgrades and streamlined customs procedures — Rwanda’s supply chains could face prolonged disruptions heading into 2026.
Why It Matters
Malaba is one of the busiest border crossings in the East African Community, and prolonged congestion dents not just bilateral Kenya–Rwanda trade but broader EAC integration goals and intra-regional commerce.
What to Watch
- Progress on border infrastructure and customs digitisation
- Trade diversion effects into alternative corridors
- EAC summit responses on trade facilitation
