Burundi has signed a $5.9 million agreement aimed at expanding telecommunications coverage in underserved rural areas, in a move officials say will accelerate digital inclusion and improve access to essential services.
The contract, valued at $5,907,000, was signed between the Executive Secretariat of Information and Communication Technologies (SETIC) and the state-owned ONATEL Burundi. The agreement was formalized by SETIC Executive Secretary and PAFEN project coordinator Bienvenu Irakoze and ONATEL Director General Sixte Niyuhire, in the presence of Finance, Budget and Digital Economy Minister Alain Ndikumana.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Gitega, Ndikumana underscored the importance of public-private collaboration in bridging the country’s digital divide.
“Strong partnerships are essential to accelerate network expansion in rural areas that remain underserved,” he said.
Under the agreement, telecommunications infrastructure will be deployed across 92 rural “hills” — the country’s smallest administrative units — that currently lack basic 2G or 3G mobile network coverage. Authorities estimate the project will benefit approximately 372,035 people, including users in schools and health facilities.
The initiative forms part of broader government efforts to strengthen digital sovereignty and promote equitable access to connectivity across Burundi’s territory.
Burundi remains one of the least connected countries in East Africa, with significant disparities between urban and rural access to telecommunications services. According to data from the World Bank and the International Telecommunication Union, internet penetration in Burundi has historically remained below regional averages, with rural connectivity particularly limited due to high infrastructure costs and low commercial returns for operators.
The government has in recent years prioritized digital transformation through national strategies focused on expanding broadband infrastructure, improving mobile network coverage, and promoting e-government services. State-owned ONATEL plays a central role in these efforts, particularly in areas where private investment is limited.
Projects such as the PAFEN program — which supports network expansion in underserved regions — align with regional initiatives backed by development partners to close Africa’s digital gap and improve access to education, healthcare, and financial services through connectivity.
While the government has not publicly detailed implementation timelines or technical specifications for the latest contract, similar rural connectivity projects in the region typically involve the construction of base transceiver stations and supporting infrastructure such as fiber or satellite backhaul.
Analysts note that improving basic mobile coverage (2G/3G) remains a critical first step in countries like Burundi, where access to smartphones and high-speed data services is still emerging.
If successfully implemented, the project could significantly improve communication, mobile banking access, and delivery of digital public services in rural communities long left offline.
