Burundi Country profile: the eight countries of East Africa community

Background and Political Foundation

One of the smallest and most densely populated countries in Africa, Burundi was an independent kingdom for over 200 years until the early 20th century. It was then colonised first by Germany, and after the First World War by Belgium, and governed with present day Rwanda as Ruanda-Urundi until independence in 1962. Initially, independent Burundi was a monarchy, but after a period of civil and military unrest the monarchy was abolished and a one-party republic established in 1966.

Burundi has resources of a number of metal minerals but to date has a relatively small mining industry, of which gold provides the biggest export income. Most of the country’s electricity is produced by hydroelectric power.

Burundi joined the East Africa Community (EAC) in July 2007. It hosts the East African Health Research Commission (EAHRC), an institution of the Community which coordinates and promotes the conduct of health research to improve the health and well-being of the peoples of the Community.

Unitary Presidential Republic

Burundi is unitary presidential republic with a multi-party system, where the President serves as both head of state and government, elected to a 7-year term. The government is characterized by a bicameral parliament (Senate and National Assembly) and a strong executive branch that oversees a 15-member cabinet and 18 provinces. Ethnic quotas for Hutu (60%) and Tutsi (40%), along with a minimum 30% female representation, are mandated for key government positions.  

The Legislature

The Parliament of Burundi (Abashingamateka) consists of two chambers: the Senate (Inama nkenguzamateka) and the the National Assembly.

The Senate is the upper chamber of Parliament in Burundi. enguzamateka). It consists of between 13 members who serve 5-year terms. The current Senate was elected on 23 July 2025.

The National Assembly is the lower chamber of Parliament in Burundi. It consists of 100 directly elected members (or deputies) and between 18 and 23 co-opted members who serve five-year terms. Deputies are elected in 5 multi-member constituencies using a party-list proportional representation system in accordance with the D’Hondt method

Presidential Governance

The president of Burundi is the head of state of the Republic of Burundi and also commander-in-chief of the National Defence Force. The office of the presidency was established when Michel Micombero, who became the first president, declared Burundi a republic on 28 November 1966.

President Evariste Ndayishimiye is the tenth president and has served since June 8th 2020.

Presidents of Burundi (Historical Timeline)

1966-1976: Michel Micombero

1976-1987: Jean-Baptiste Bagaza

1987-1993: Pierre Buyoya

July 1993- October 1993: Melchior Ndadaye

October 1993 -October 1993: François Ngeze

1993-1994: Sylvie Kinigi

February 1994 – April 1994

April 1994 – October 1994: Sylvestre Ntibantunganya

1996 – 1998: Pierre Buyoya

2003 – 2005: Domitien Ndayizeye

2005 – 2020: Pierre Nkurunziza

June 2020 – Present: Évariste Ndayishimiye

Key Dates in Burundi’s History

1890 – The kingdoms of Urundi (Burundi) and neighbouring Ruanda (Rwanda) incorporated into German East Africa.

1916 – Belgian army occupies the area.

1923 – Belgium receives League of Nations mandate to administer Ruanda-Urundi.

1959-1961 – Independence drive led by cross-communal UPRONA party of Prince Louis Rwagasore, which wins 1961 legislative elections.

1962 – Burundi and Rwanda become independent as separate nations.

1966 – Michel Micombero abolishes the monarchy and declares himself president.

1972 – About 120,000 Hutus are massacred by government forces and their supporters in the wake of a Hutu-led uprising in the south. Thousands of Hutus flee to Rwanda.

1976 – President Micombero is deposed in a military coup by Jean-Baptiste Bagaza.

1981 – A new constitution makes Burundi a one-party state under Uprona.

1987 – President Bagaza is deposed in a coup led by Pierre Buyoya.

1992 – New constitution providing for a multiparty system is adopted in a referendum.

1993 – Melchior Ndadaye’s Frodebu wins multi-party polls, ending military rule and leading to the installation of a pro-Hutu government.

1993 October – Tutsi soldiers assassinate President Ndadaye. In revenge, some Frodebu members massacre Tutsis, and the army begins reprisals. Burundi is plunged into an ethnic conflict which claims some 300,000 lives.

1994 January- Parliament appoints a Hutu, Cyprien Ntaryamira, as president.

1994 April – Plane carrying President Ntaryamira and his Rwandan counterpart is shot down over the Rwandan capital Kigali, killing both and triggering genocide in Rwanda in which 800,000 are killed.

1994 October – Parliament speaker Sylvestre Ntibantunganya appointed president.

1996 – Ex-president Buyoya seizes power.

2001 October – Talks brokered by South African President Nelson Mandela lead to installation of transitional government, but main Hutu rebel groups refuse to sign and fighting intensifies.

2003 April – Domitien Ndayizeye – a Hutu – succeeds Pierre Buyoya as president, under terms of three-year, power-sharing transitional government inaugurated in 2001.

2003 November – President Ndayizeye and Hutu rebel group Forces for Defence of Democracy (FDD) leader Pierre Nkurunziza sign agreement to end the civil war at summit of African leaders in Tanzania. Smaller Hutu rebel group, Forces for National Liberation (FNL), remains active.

2004 – UN force takes over peacekeeping duties from African Union troops.

2005 August – Pierre Nkurunziza, from the Hutu FDD group, is elected as president by the two houses of parliament. The FDD won parliamentary elections in June.

2007 April – DR Congo, Rwanda and Burundi relaunch the regional economic bloc – Great Lakes Countries Economic Community – known under its French acronym CEPGL.

2010 June – President Nkurunziza re-elected in uncontested poll after main opposition parties boycott the vote.

2015 July – President Nkurunziza wins a third term in the presidential election with 70% of the vote.

2017 October – Burundi becomes the first ever country to leave the International Criminal Court (ICC).

2019 April – Capital moved to Gitega, although Bujumbura remains the commercial capital.

2020 June –  Evariste Ndayishimiye takes office as president, a week after President Pierre Nkurunziza died.

Geography

Burundi is a small land-locked country situated between 2.3°S to 4.5°S of latitude and 28.8°E to 31°E of longitude. It is bordered by Tanzania in the east and south, Rwanda in the north, Democratic republic of Congo (DRC) in the west. The total area of the country is 27,834 sq. km and population is about six million.

The main physical features of the country include a variety of ecological regions. These include Imbo region, which comprises lowlands in the western parts of the country, Congo/Nile Crest region comprising of high mountain ranges, Kirimiro region made of central plateaus, Kumoso region comprising of low-lying terrain in eastern areas, the Bweru region made up of plains in the north and Buesera region constituting lowlands in the northeastern parts of the country. Generally, Burundi lies in high altitudes that range from 774m to 2670m above sea level.

Climate and Vegetation

The climate of Burundi is equatorial in nature, and is marked by high mean annual temperatures, small temperature ranges, and rainfall throughout the year.

It enjoys a “moderate” tropical climate with average temperatures between 16 ºC and 25 ºC. In the west parts of the country where it is hotter, average temperatures are about 25ºC. The country has two major seasons: the dry season from June to September and the rainy season from September to May.  Rainfall is caused by the interaction of trade winds and locally rising moisture from Lake Tanganyika.

The climatic differences between regions are mainly due to altitude. The eastern highlands near Rutana are cooler and slightly more humid. The western lowlands on Lake Tanganyika are warmer and drier. The lake itself influences the microclimate of the surrounding areas. In the northwest near Bujumbura, conditions are similar to those on the lake shore, with slightly higher temperatures.

The vegetation in Burundi reflects the climatic pattern, with lowlands featuring savannah and watercourses, while high plateaus are covered with dense, green grasslands and arable land. Bananas, corn, and beans thrive particularly well in the cooler highlands. The climate and vegetation are closely linked, with agriculture heavily reliant on rain-fed crop production due to the country’s reliance on rainfall.

Rivers and Lakes

Lake Tanganyika: The largest and deepest lake in Burundi, and it forms the southwestern boundary of the country. It is one of the largest freshwater reserves in the world and is shared with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia. Approximately 8% of the lake lies within Burundi’s borders and is vital for local fisheries, accounting for about 66% of the country’s fish exports

Lake Cohoha: Also called Lake Cyohoha South or Cyohoha Sud, is a lake that runs along the border between Rwanda and Burundi. The majority of the lake lies in Burundi, though the northernmost shoreline is located in Rwanda. The lake  drain through a network of connected marshland into the Akanyaru River, which is itself a vassal of the Nyabarongo River.

Lake Rweru:

This lake is situated on the border with Rwanda and is also part of the Kagera River basin. It is known for its shallow waters and as the most distant origin point of the Nile River. The lake covers an area of 100 km², with 80 km² in Burundi and 20 km² in Rwanda. It is surrounded by marshes, papyrus groves, and rural villages, offering a tranquil environment for visitors. The lake is is a popular spot for birdwatching, and plays a vital role in local agriculture and fishing.

The Akanyaru River is the main tributary of the Nyabarongo River. It rises in the western highlands of Rwanda and Burundi, flows east and then north along the border between those countries before joining the Nyabarongo River. The lower stretches contain important but unprotected wetlands, which are under threat from human activity.

The Nyabarongo (or Nyawarungu) River is part of the upper headwaters of the Nile. With a total length of 351 km (218 mi), it is the longest river entirely in Rwanda. It is extended 421 km (262 mi) in Lake Rweru including a 69 km (43 mi) upper course of Kagera River before joining into Ruvuvu River to form the Kagera River. The river begins its course at the confluence of the rivers Mbirurume and Mwogo in the South West of the country.  

Tourism in Burundi

Burundi is East Africa’s hidden gem, offering a rich blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage and splendid experiences.

Lake Tanganyika: Famous for its stunning views and crystal-clear waters. The beaches around Bujumbura, like Saga Beach, are perfect for relaxation and sunset views.

Gishora Drum Sanctuary:  Visitors can watch energetic performances and even participate in drumming sessions, making it a unique cultural experience.

Kibira National Park: A lush rainforest that is home to diverse wildlife, including chimpanzees and numerous bird species. The park offers excellent hiking opportunities and is a great spot for nature lovers.

Rusizi National Park: Boasts of rich biodiversity, including hippos and various bird species. It is a great place for wildlife viewing and birdwatching.

Doing Business in Burundi

Burundi is a landlocked country where agriculture accounts for over 40% of GDP and employs more than 90% of the population. Burundi joined the East African Community (EAC) in 2009.

Burundi’s primary exports are coffee and tea, which account for more than half of foreign exchange earnings, but these earnings are subject to fluctuations in weather and international coffee and tea prices.

Burundi is heavily dependent on aid from bilateral and multilateral donors, as well as foreign exchange earnings from participation in the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM).

Burundi’s economic development plans are structured around a vision for the country’s future, aiming for sustainable growth and improved living conditions.

The Revised National Development Plan of Burundi (2018-2017) outlines three main challenges and five pillars of vision, with strategic axes and objectives to guide the country’s development. The plan emphasizes structural transformation of the economy, improvement of living conditions, and governance, peace, and reconciliation. It includes a Priority Action Plan (PAP) with 18 priority programs, 72 projects, and 368 indicators, with a total estimated financing needs of 85,704.8 billion BIF over five years.  

The Burundi country strategic plan (2024–2027) addresses climate-related shocks and other stressors affecting agricultural production and livelihoods, aiming to improve food and nutrition security and economic growth. It focuses on sustainable and equitable economic growth based on well-performing food systems, strong human capital, and better management of the environment and disaster risk reduction activities.

Investment opportunities in Burundi

To promote investments in the country’s key sectors, the government is implementing  a raft of tax measure, including exemption from customs duties on imported equipment and raw materials,  reduced tax rates on profits for the first five years.

Non-Tax Incentives include the right to ownership for both natural and legal persons; right to concessions and participation in public procurement processes; and right to acquire or lease real estate, including state-owned land or buildings.

Below are potential sectors for investment:

Mining – Burundi possesses a rich diversity of mineral resources, including coltan, gold, nickel, phosphates, carbonates, vanadium, limestone, and peat. However, the current artisanal mining techniques yield low production, presenting significant opportunities for modernization.

Agriculture and agro-industry: Agriculture remains the backbone of Burundi’s economy, employing over 80% of the population. Investment in modern farming techniques, agro-processing, and value chain development can significantly boost productivity and food security.

Energy: Burundi’s hydropower resources remain underutilized, with significant opportunities in renewable energy, including solar and wind power.

Infrastructure: Improved transport networks and logistics hubs are essential for economic integration and market access. .

Industrial development: With an emphasis on manufacturing and export-oriented industries, Burundi seeks to diversify its economy.

Digital economy and financial services: Investment in ICT infrastructure and financial technology can drive innovation and financial inclusion.

Symbols of National Unity

The National Flag

The national flag of Burundi features a white diagonal cross that divides the flag into four sections: the top and bottom sections are red, while the hoist-side and fly-side sections are green. At the center of the cross is a white disk that contains three red six-pointed stars outlined in green, arranged in a triangular formation (one above and two below). The flag’s design symbolizes the country’s heritage and values, with red representing the struggle for independence, green symbolizing hope and prosperity, and white signifying peace.

The Coat of Arms

The coat of arms of Burundi, adopted in 1966, features a shield with a lion’s head, surrounded by three spears, and the national motto “Unité, Travail, Progrès” (Unity, Labour, Progress). It symbolises:

• Shield and Lion’s Head: Symbolizes strength and courage.
• Spears: Represent the defense of the nation and its sovereignty. The number of spears is significant, as it reflects the unity of the people.
• Motto:  “Unité, Travail, Progrès,” which translates to “Unity, Labour, Progress”  emphasizes the values that the nation strives to uphold.