Market integration and cross-border trade will be enhanced further following plans to upgrade Rubavu border post in the Northern Province. 

According to Ministry of Infrastructure, the existing facilities at la Corniche border post on the Rwanda-DR Congo border in Rubavu are old and require upgrading to reduce the overall transit time for cargo and people. 

The project will involve construction of border post facilities, including the main building to accommodate all services, a car park and handling facilities, warehouses as well as the heavy trucks transit parking.

This will improve border crossing efficiency and reduce unnecessary expenditure brought by duplication of operations, Christian Rwakunda, the Ministry of Infrastructure permanent secretary, noted.

"The project will significantly enhance the movement of people and goods. It will also promote cross-border trade and market integration, infrastructure and industrial development as well as enhance competitiveness of the region,” Rwakunda said.

The border post will be upgraded in line with the Rubavu District master plan and that of other border posts, according to the Ministry of Infrastructure.

Transport is a key driver in the promotion of trade and market integration, investing in infrastructure is one way of facilitating cross border trade and regional integration, John Bosco Kalisa a senior programme manager at TradeMark East Africa, said.

"By addressing infrastructure limitations and operational inefficiencies, we will ensure an efficient and reliable transport system, improve policies and procedures and border facilities,” Kalisa said.

The Howard Buffet Foundation, a United States-based organisation, will finance the project.