Borders and customs
Rusumo One Stop Border Post (Rwanda and Tanzania)
Short answer
- Countries
- Rwanda and Tanzania 6
- OSBP opened
- 1 March 2016 2
- Inauguration
- 6 April 2016 1
- Japanese grant aid
- JPY 3.72 billion (US$35.4 million) 2
- Bridge
- Two lanes, about 80 m long and 13.5 m wide 5
- Hours
- 24-hour operations reported 4
Location and role
The Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration (DGIE) lists Rusumo as the one Rwandan land border post facing Tanzania 6. The crossing is on the Central Corridor, the arterial road from the Indian Ocean to Rwanda 2. Expert John Bosco Kalisa told The New Times in October 2025 that the Central Corridor carries almost 80% of Rwanda's imports and exports 4.
The Japanese government's Tomodachi magazine said in autumn 2016 that the new bridge and OSBP gave the Central Corridor a much bigger role compared with the Northern Corridor 2.
Bridge and OSBP project
Japan provided JPY 3.72 billion (US$35.4 million) in grant aid and JICA provided technical cooperation, according to the Japanese government 2. The Japanese government says the OSBP was inaugurated on 1 March 2016 2. The Embassy of Japan in Rwanda held the inauguration ceremony for the bridge and OSBP facilities on 6 April 2016, attended by Presidents Kagame and Magufuli and EAC Secretary General Dr. Sezibera 1.
KT Press reporter Dan Ngabonziza wrote on 6 April 2016 that the OSBP service was valued at Tsh61 billion 3. He reported Kagame as saying the bridge was built by the African Development Bank and JICA 3. The Japanese embassy thanked the Tanzania National Roads Agency and the Rwanda Transport Development Agency 1.
Old and new bridge
Sources describe the old bridge in different terms. The Japanese government said in 2016 that deterioration limited it to an 8-ton axle load and 5 km/h, with one large truck crossing at a time 2. JICA said in May 2026 that load capacity rose from about 53 tonnes to 180 tonnes and the speed limit from 5 km/h to 30 km/h 5. KT Press reported a 1000mt weight capacity in April 2016 3.
JICA gives the new two-lane bridge as about 80 m long and 13.5 m wide 5.
Clearance times reported
Reported clearance times differ by source and date. They are shown here with their dates.
| Source and date | Before the OSBP | After the OSBP |
|---|---|---|
| JapanGov Tomodachi, autumn 2016 2 | About 14 hours for separate procedures on each side 2 | No figure given 2 |
| Customs officials, KT Press, 6 April 2016 3 | About one hour for transit trucks 3 | About 20 minutes 3 |
| RRA Customs Commissioner Felicien Mwumvaneza, The New Times, 27 October 2025 4 | About four hours for cargo trucks 4 | About 30 minutes 4 |
How the post works today
Customs, immigration and other border control services of Rwanda and Tanzania work under one roof, and health checks take place there, as reported by Michel Nkurunziza in The New Times on 27 October 2025 4. Officials of both countries share information and harmonise procedures 4. Border infrastructure improvements have enabled 24-hour operations at Rusumo 4.
JICA says the post operates under the EAC Single Customs Territory framework and Customs Union Protocol 5. It says JICA helped prepare operational manuals and trained customs officials 5. In 2016 about 2,000 people crossed the border each day, KT Press reported 3.
Common questions
When did Rusumo one stop border post open?
The Japanese government says the OSBP was inaugurated on 1 March 2016 2. The Embassy of Japan held an inauguration ceremony for the bridge and OSBP on 6 April 2016 1.
Is Rusumo border open 24 hours?
The New Times reported in October 2025 that infrastructure improvements enabled 24-hour operations 4.
Who funded the Rusumo bridge?
Japan provided JPY 3.72 billion in grant aid, according to the Japanese government 2.
How long does truck clearance take at Rusumo?
The RRA customs commissioner said in 2025 it takes about 30 minutes, down from about four hours 4.
Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].
Sources
- Embassy of Japan in Rwanda: Inauguration Ceremony of the Project for Construction of Rusumo International Bridge and One Stop Border Post (OSBP) Facilities (6 April 2016)
- JapanGov Tomodachi: Improving East Africa's Inland Logistics (Autumn 2016)
- KT Press, Dan Ngabonziza: Magufuli And Kagame Commission Rusumo Border Post (6 April 2016)
- The New Times, Michel Nkurunziza: How Rusumo cross-border infrastructure boosted Rwanda's regional integration (27 October 2025)
- JICA Rwanda Office: How Rusumo Cross-Border Infrastructure Boosted Rwanda's Regional Integration (19 May 2026)
- Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Border Services (undated, seen 24 October 2026)
Related
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- Rwanda entry requirements
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- Other Rwanda border posts: Kagitumba, Cyanika, Nemba and more
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