Empowering Women Traders and Strengthening Communities: UNCT Field Visit Highlights Progress in Rusizi

Odette Musabyemariya, a mother of eight, leads COBATOMU, a cooperative of cross-border traders selling fruit and vegetables at Rusizi II in Western Rwanda. Her cooperative comprises 110 women and two men. 

"Cross-border trade is the sole source of income for me and my fellow cooperative members," she said.

We met Odette in Rusizi district during the UNCT Field Visit on 26-27 June 2024. Organized by IOM, UNICEF, and the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator, this visit aimed to monitor the progress and results of two joint interventions: the construction of a One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) and the rehabilitation of three water supply systems.

Economic and Social Context

Rusizi is a significant hub for cross-border trade, contributing an average of $108.3 million per year to Rwanda's economy, with one-third of this trade passing through the Rusizi II border. Despite these financial opportunities, many small-scale cross-border traders (SSCBTs) and border populations remain economically and socially vulnerable. Transnational security challenges, health emergencies like Mpox, and climate-induced disasters exacerbate these vulnerabilities.

These challenges are reflected in the personal experiences of traders like Odette, for whom cross-border trade is a lifeline. 

“When all goes well, I can personally earn $100 per month. I use this money to pay school fees for my children, health insurance, and cater to other family needs,” said Odette.

Ongoing UN Interventions

Under the EU-funded project “Secure Cross-Border Social, Economic, and Commercial Activities Project,” IOM, in collaboration with the Government, is constructing an OSBP at the Rusizi II/Bukavu border crossing to streamline cross-border movements and enhance trade. The project also supported Partner States of the East African Community (EAC) to revise and develop a harmonized training programme on Migration Management for border officials in OSBP settings, and facilitated a draft Legal Framework Agreement on OSBPs between Rwanda and DRC. It aims to empower SSCBTs, particularly women, with strong involvement from local partners and civil society organizations.

"This new One-Stop Border Post will accelerate our business because it will dramatically reduce the time we used to spend in the queue. IOM’s support made our trading relations with Congolese a lot easier, at times we don’t even need to cross the border. We send fruits and vegetables, and they send us money. We did not have this common understanding before,” said Berthe Nyirahabimana, of the Women Cross-Border Traders.

Rehabilitation of Water Supply Systems

Following the roundtable with the traders, UNCT members also visited the valley of Murangi in Kamembe sector, where they witnessed the rehabilitation of three water supply systems damaged by flooding. With generous funding from the Government of Japan, this rehabilitation improved climate resilience for over 29,000 people, 15 schools, and nine health centers.

UNCT Field Visit Rationale

Throughout their visit to Rusizi, UNCT members reflected on the broader impact of their interventions to support Rwanda’s economic and social transformation, ensuring inclusive and sustainable development for all.

"This is always an opportunity for the United Nations Country Team to come to the field, appreciate the results our joint interventions are yielding, listen to our local government counterparts, and strategize on how we can plan, work, and deliver differently to move the needle towards achieving sustainable development goals, leaving no one behind,” said Ozonnia Ojielo, UN Resident Coordinator.