News

Burundi remains among the lower-ranked countries in the East African Community (EAC) in Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), highlighting ongoing governance challenges. The global index, released Tuesday, ranks 182 countries on perceived public-sector corruption, scoring from zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). Burundi’s score reflects continued concerns about transparency, oversight, and...

The International Crisis Group has warned that escalating tensions between Burundi and Rwanda, fueled by the worsening conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, could trigger a “fully blown inter-state confrontation” unless urgent diplomatic measures are taken. The warning appears in the organization’s 2026 peace and security priorities for Africa, which identifies the Burundi-Rwanda...

Burundi’s petroleum supply agency, SOPEBU, met Monday with owners of 114 public transport vehicles after data showed possible irregularities in fuel usage. SOPEBU Director General Samuel Ndayisenga said the vehicles had completed fewer than 10 rotations, based on information collected through digital monitoring systems. “These 114 vehicles completed fewer than ten...

The United States and Burundi have signed a five-year health cooperation agreement worth nearly $156 million aimed at strengthening the country’s health system, expanding treatment and prevention programs for major infectious diseases, and reinforcing outbreak surveillance capacity. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed Feb. 6, 2026, according to the U.S. Embassy in Burundi,...

African business magnate Aliko Dangote visited Burundi this Saturday as part of a high-level Nigerian and African economic delegation, in a trip Burundian officials say is aimed at strengthening investment ties and accelerating the country’s industrial ambitions. Dangote, chairman and chief executive officer of the Dangote Group and widely regarded as Africa’s richest man,...

The Burundi Central Bank (BRB) announced Thursday that it has successfully upgraded its Automated Transfer System (ATS) to the international ISO 20022 standard, a major step in modernizing the country’s financial infrastructure. Starting Friday, Feb. 6, banks and the Régie Nationale des Postes will resume interbank operations using the new system. Edouard Normand Bigendako, Governor...

BUJUMBURA, Burundi (Burundi Times) — Burundi on Feb. 5 marked the 35th anniversary of the National Unity Charter under the theme “Let us not loosen the good we have achieved; national unity is the pillar of development,” with official ceremonies held at the National Unity Monument on Vugizo Hill in Bujumbura. The commemoration was...

India’s High Commissioner to Uganda has warned Indian employers operating in East Africa against confiscating workers’ passports and altering employment contracts, calling the practices illegal and exploitative, with reported cases affecting workers in the region, including Burundi. Speaking during India’s Republic Day celebrations in Kampala, High Commissioner Upender Singh Rawat said the Government of...

Burundi’s Ministry of Finance has introduced stricter eligibility criteria governing the operation of bars, restaurants and hotels, tightening standards for alcohol sales and hospitality services in a move authorities say is aimed at improving public health, security and service quality nationwide. The new rules set out minimum requirements for establishments seeking authorization to operate,...

Vital’o FC marked a historic day for Burundian football with a 2-1 victory over Bumamuru FC in a competitive match played ahead of the official inauguration of the Intwari Stadium, a new FIFA-recognized venue opened on Saturday in Bujumbura. The match, staged as part of the inauguration program, saw Vital’o assert their dominance in...