Digital payments in Burundi rose steadily in the second quarter of 2025, but cash withdrawals and deposits still account for nearly half of all transactions, underlining the country’s slow transition to a cash-light economy, according to new data from the central bank.
Burundi’s Central Bank (BRB) reported nearly 97.5 million mobile money and digital transactions worth more than 4.4 trillion Burundian francs between April and June. Three mobile money providers, seven banks and nine microfinance institutions now operate digital platforms, supported by a growing agent network of more than 153,000 outlets across the country.
Transactions processed by mobile money companies reached 91.6 million, up almost 5% from the previous quarter, with a total value of 2.8 trillion francs. Bank-led digital platforms also expanded, handling 5.8 million transactions worth 1.65 trillion francs, an increase of more than 35% in both volume and value.
Still, the bulk of activity remains basic. Deposits and withdrawals represented 45% of transaction value in second quoter, while peer-to-peer transfers accounted for just 3%. Merchant payments, though growing fast, represented less than 6% of total value despite rising nearly 29% from the previous quarter to 247 billion francs.
The report also notes that of the 7.6 million registered mobile money wallets, only 1.6 million were active as of June, reflecting widespread account dormancy. Banks and microfinance institutions reported similar trends, with just 351,000 active wallets out of 2.8 million registered.
“Digital finance is gaining traction, but adoption remains shallow,” the BRB said, pointing to persistent challenges including patchy internet, low smartphone penetration, high transaction costs and limited digital literacy. The central bank warned that reliance on cash undermines efficiency and financial inclusion.
On the institutional side, the Automated Clearing House and real-time gross settlement (RTGS) systems showed stable activity in local currency, though euro-denominated transactions declined sharply. Check usage continued its downward slide, in line with global trends toward dematerialisation. Activity on the central securities depository fell in June, while gaps remain in reporting on the national switch, which is meant to guarantee interoperability between providers.
The BRB said it will continue to strengthen regulations to adapt to evolving financial technologies and to promote safe, efficient and resilient payment systems. Priorities include improving interoperability, monitoring the national switch more closely, and promoting financial education campaigns to reduce reliance on cash.
Analysts say the steady rise of merchant payments and bank-based digital platforms points to long-term potential. But unless adoption deepens beyond deposits, withdrawals and airtime purchases, Burundi risks lagging behind East African neighbors where digital payments have already transformed daily commerce.
