DRC restores cross‑border trade with Rwanda and launches Air Congo flights to Europe

The land border between Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Gisenyi in Rwanda has been reopened, allowing traders and commuters to resume movement after a prolonged closure. Residents such as Sarah and Esther expressed relief, saying, “I come from Gisenyi, the border is open… we are relieved.” The mayor of Goma, Désiré Ngabo, said the measure applies to residents traveling for valid reasons, reviving local commerce that had stalled.

Air Congo has also resumed international service, restarting a Kinshasa‑Brussels route after more than 25 years. The airline operates the flight through a wet‑lease agreement with Ethiopian Airlines, using a Boeing 787 crewed and maintained by the Ethiopian carrier to bypass the EU blacklist on Congolese airlines. The Congolese transport ministry described the arrangement as a temporary solution while the sector upgrades to meet safety standards. Air Congo hopes to add further routes to Paris and Dubai, pending health‑related travel restrictions in the United Arab Emirates.

These developments signal a broader effort by the DRC to re‑engage with regional neighbours and European markets after periods of isolation.