Burundi

Republic of Burundi

Region: East Africa · ISO code: BDI

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Economy

Nominal GDP

USD 3.27 billion

GDP per capita

USD 253

2021–2025 average

Currency

Name: Burundian franc
Бурундийский франк
ISO code: BIF
Rate against the US dollar: USD 1 = 3,005 BIF
Rate against the rouble: 100 BIF = 2.7810 RUB
Rate type: Cross rate via the Bank of Russia USD/RUB rate
Currency zone: National currency

Exchange rate as of 1 October 2026

Economic structure

GDP structure: 2021–2025 average Source: Based on World Bank data. Period: 2021–2025 average

Agriculture 34.5%
Industry 17.0%
Services 43.3%

Industries and programmes

Key industries: Agriculture (coffee, tea), gold and rare metal mining, and the food industry.
Government programmes: Burundi Vision 2040–2060

National Development Plan (PND) 2018–2027

International trade

Exports of goods, 2021–2025

USD billion Source: World Bank / WTO, merchandise exports (TX.VAL.MRCH.CD.WT). Period: 2021–2025

Amount Index (2021 = 100)

Table

Exports of goods, 2021–2025: amount and index (2021 = 100)
Year	USD billion	index, 2021 = 100
2021	0.16	100.0
2022	0.21	131.3
2023	0.21	131.3
2024	0.17	106.3
2025	0.33	206.3

Imports of goods: USD 1.19 billion 2021–2025 averageSource: ITC. Period: 2021–2025 average
Change in exports of goods, 2021–2025: +106.3%
Average annual rate of change in exports of goods, 2021–2025: +19.8%

Export specialisation

Main export products

share of exports of goods, %, 2023 Source: UN Comtrade, 2023; share of total merchandise exports, HS chapters (2 digits). Period: 2023

coffee, tea and spices35.6%
precious metals and stones (gold, diamonds)18.0%
beverages7.1%
tobacco6.2%
milling industry products5.8%

Main export destinations

share of exports of goods, %, 2023 Source: UN Comtrade, 2023; share of total merchandise exports, HS chapters (2 digits). Period: 2023

DR Congo27.4%
UAE20.9%
Switzerland8.8%
Belgium5.7%
Sudan5.2%

Investment areas

Agro-processing (coffee, tea)
Mining (nickel, rare earth metals, gold)
Hydropower
Nuclear technologies under the intergovernmental agreement

Agreements with Russia

Investment protection

There is no bilateral agreement with Russia on the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments.

Absent
Double taxation

There is no double taxation agreement with Russia.

Absent
Visa requirements

Russian citizens holding ordinary passports require a visa. A 30-day visa is available on arrival at Melchior Ndadaye International Airport in Bujumbura

Visa required
Peaceful nuclear energy
- intergovernmental agreement dated 27 July 2023, in force since 20 March 2024
Intergovernmental agreement

Other agreements

Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Burundi on the Mutual Waiver of Visa Formalities for Holders of Diplomatic or Service Passports (2018).
Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Burundi on Military-Technical Cooperation (2022).
Memorandum of Understanding between Rostrud and Burundi’s Ministry of Labor on Employment, dated 27 July 2023.
Cooperation Program between the Ministries of Justice for 2025–2026, including legal support for commercial transactions and the orderly resolution of disputes between businesses from the two countries.

Incentives

Main regimes and incentives: Investment Code 2021. To qualify for government tax and customs incentives under the Investment Code, a foreign investor must invest at least USD 500,000 in a project if production is located in the capital, Bujumbura, or at least USD 250,000 in other regions of the country.

Burundi’s legislation provides for non-discriminatory treatment of foreign investors relative to domestic investors. Foreign investors may own 100% of enterprises in most sectors of the economy (except subsurface resources).

Duty exemptions on imports of industrial equipment, construction materials, specialized vehicles and raw materials.

Corporate tax reductions subject to compliance with local workforce hiring requirements. Special economic zone regime.
Source: UNCTAD (https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/investment-policy-monitor/measures/3724/burundi-amendment-of-the-investment-code-and-new-investment-entity)
Type of measure: Reduced tax rateDuty exemptionSpecial territorial regimes (SEZ)
Administering organisation: ADB — Burundi Development Agency (Agence de Développement du Burundi)