BUJUMBURA, Burundi — The cost of building new homes in Bujumbura jumped 40.4% in June compared with the same month last year, according to the National Institute of Statistics of Burundi (INSBU). The surge was driven by sharp increases in the prices of materials, labor, and equipment rentals.
The June INSBU report shows that construction costs rose 1.4% month-to-month and 7.1% over the last quarter.
“Construction materials alone recorded a 35% increase compared to last year, while labor costs soared nearly 60%,” INSBU said in the report. Equipment rentals rose by more than 61% annually, reflecting pressure on both contractors and homebuilders.
Among the steepest monthly increases were aggregates (+7.7%), bricks and stone (+4.9%), roofing sheets (+1.8%), and reinforcing bars (+1.7%). “These variations show just how volatile the construction sector has become, with raw material imports and local production both under strain,” said Fidèle Iranyibutse, head of price statistics at INSBU.
On a quarterly basis, labor costs saw the largest jump, up 15.3% compared to March. “This reflects both wage adjustments in the sector and higher demand for skilled construction workers,” the institute noted.
The data highlights mounting challenges for Burundian households seeking affordable housing. “With annual construction costs rising over 40%, families planning to build are being forced to delay projects or scale down plans,” said an independent economist in Bujumbura.
INSBU emphasized that the ICCLB, based on prices in Bujumbura’s three communes, is the country’s only official gauge of construction inflation. “Reliable statistics are vital for development planning,” the institute said.
Despite the steep increases, the report notes a slight easing compared to May, when year-on-year costs were up 43.8%. However, the average annual growth in construction costs reached 40.7% in June, confirming what analysts describe as “sustained inflationary pressure” in the building sector.
