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Bujumbura, Burundi – February 20, 2025 – A new market access project for enterprises in Burundi, called UGUSHORA (to sell/export in Kirundi), has been launched to support economic development and job creation by promoting export-oriented investments and businesses. The project, funded by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Burundi, is implemented by the TRAIDE Foundation in partnership...

UNITED NATIONS (Feb. 21, 2025) — The United Nations Security Council on Friday condemned Rwanda’s support for the M23 rebel group and demanded the immediate withdrawal of both from the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) cities of Goma and Bukavu, marking a significant escalation in efforts to resolve the crisis in eastern DRC. The...

These operational challenges have been exacerbated by ongoing misinformation and disinformation campaigns, which have misled the public about the role of UN peacekeepers, said the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in the DRC and head of the peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO, during a press briefing at UN Headquarters via video link from the DRC. However, the mission...

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on Rwandan Minister James Kabarebe and senior militant Lawrence Kanyuka Kingston for their roles in supporting the March 23 Movement (M23) in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The sanctions, announced Tuesday, aim to hold key figures accountable for their involvement in destabilizing the region.

Bujumbura, February 19, 2025 – The Government of Burundi has expressed deep concern over the escalating security crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which has triggered a large influx of refugees into Burundian territory since the beginning of the year. According to government estimates, between 20,000 and 35,000 people have crossed...

BUJUMBURA, Burundi – The Burundi Parliament convened in plenary session on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, to review and approve a draft law amending Law n°1/02 of March 3, 2016, which governs the reform of municipal taxation in the country. The session featured a presentation by Minister of Internal Affairs, Martin Niteretse, who outlined the...

Bujumbura, Burundi (Feb. 18, 2025) — Efforts to strengthen policy advocacy for the services sector in East Africa are gaining traction as business leaders and policymakers push for institutionalized dialogue and regulatory reforms. With services contributing between 40% and 55% of the East African Community (EAC) GDP, stakeholders emphasize the need for a robust...

Arusha, Tanzania (Feb. 18, 2025) – The East African Community (EAC) has agreed to establish the East African Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (EACREEE) as an official regional institution, a move aimed at strengthening efforts to improve energy access and sustainability in the region. The decision was made during the 16th Meeting...

The Burundian government has rejected claims from human rights activists and some media organizations that it is targeting Banyamulenge and Rwandans in Burundi. Martin Niteretse, the minister of Internal Affairs and Public Security, said during a press conference Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, that the Burundian police had conducted routine screenings of foreign nationals living in the country,...

Resilient tourism For many developing countries, including the least developed countries, small island developing states, countries in Africa and middle-income countries, tourism is a major source of income, foreign currency earnings, tax revenue and employment. Because tourism connects people with nature, sustainable tourism has the unique ability to spur environmental responsibility and conservation.