Country Snapshot
| Population (2019, millions)¹ | 11.531 |
| Population Projections (2030, millions)¹ | 15.77 |
| Capital | Bujumbura |
| Surface Area (km²)² | 27,830 |
| Weather¹¹ | Average annual temperature, 24°C; driest months, June-September; wettest months, February-May; average monthly rainfall, 65 mm |
| Languages³ | Official: Kirundi and French Others: Swahili, English and others |
| Main Religions³ | Main: Catholic and Protestant – Others: Muslim and others |
| Time⁴ | Central Africa Time (CAT) +0200 UTC |
| Driving Orientation⁵ | Right Side |
| Internet Country Code⁶ | .bi |
| Country Calling Code | +257 |
| Plug, Socket and Voltage⁷ | Type C and E – 220V/50Hz |
| Currency | Burundi Franc (BIF) |
| Exchange Rate (As of 28 January 2019, per USD) | 1,928 (buy rate) |
| GDP at Market Prices (2018, current, billions of USD)⁹ | 3.078 |
| GDP Growth (2018, annual %)⁹ | 1.6 |
| Average GDP Growth (2014-2018, annual %)⁹ | 0.36 |
| GDP per Capita, PPP (2018, current international $)⁹ | 742.8 |
Sources:
¹United Nations Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
²COMESA Statistics, COMESTAT Data Hub.
³CIA World Factbook.
⁴Time and Date Portal.
⁵Chartsbin Portal, “Worldwide Driving Orientation by Country”.
⁶Wikipedia, “List of Internet top-level domains”; and, Internet Assigned Numbers Authority, Root Zone Database.
⁷International Electrotechnical Commission, World Plugs.
⁹World Bank, World Development Indicators 2019.
¹¹Economist Intelligence Unit.
¹²AFDB Socioeconomic Database.
Reasons to Invest in Burundi
- Burundi is member of economic communities CEPGL, COMESA, EAC totaling more than 21 countries and 450 million consumers.
- Capital Transfer Advantages:
- Free transfer of foreign capital and income after payment of taxes
- The transfer of capital remuneration in the form of dividends, in full for enterprises with foreign capital
- Protection of private property
- Non–nationalization and non–expropriation of investments implemented in its territory as well as any measures of equivalent scope
- Burundi has a strategic geographical position allowing direct access to neighbouring countries
- Burundi has a business environment in constant improvement (Doing Business Reports: Burundi was ranked among the top 10 reformers in the world for 3 consecutive years)
- Burundi offers freedom of establishment and investment
- Burundi is a member of the COMESA Free Trade Area and EAC Common Market
- Labour costs in Burundi are relatively cheaper compared to other countries in the sub-region.
Source: Burundi Investment Authority – API
Population
Population Projections (millions)
| Population (2019) | 11.53 |
| Population Projections (2030) | 15.77 |
Source: United Nations Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
Population Residing in Urban Areas (%)
| Population Projections (2019) | 13.36 |
| Percentage of Population Residing in Urban Areas (2030) | 17.59 |
Source: United Nations Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
Economy Overview
GDP
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | |
| GDP at Market Prices (current, billions of USD) | 4.2 | (3.9) | (0.6) | 0.5 | 1.6 |
| GDP Growth (annual %) | 4.59 | 4.66 | 3.92 | 0.57 | 0.52 |
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators 2019.
Value Added by Sector (% of GDP)
| Indicator | 2018 | 2019 |
| Agriculture | 48.78 | 48.38 |
| Manufacturing | 14.03 | 13.99 |
| Industry | 19.59 | 19.38 |
| Services | 50.64 | 51.23 |
| Construction | 4.18 | 4.04 |
| Electricity, gas and water | 0.92 | 0.92 |
| Mining and quarrying | 0.45 | 0.43 |
| Education | 7.81 | 7.79 |
| Finance, real estate and business services | 5.60 | 5.88 |
| Public administration and Defense | 8.71 | 8.83 |
| Health and Social Work | 3.98 | 4.04 |
| Other services | 3.36 | 3.56 |
| Transport, storage and communication | 5.09 | 5.36 |
| Wholesale and retail trade, hotels and restaurants | 21.21 | 21.20 |
Source: AFDB Socio Economic Database
Trade Profile
Import Partners (Imported Value, thousands, USD)
| Exporters | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
| World | 672,579 | 560,585 | 625,328 | 783,299 | 793,512 |
| Saudi Arabia | 73,452 | 35,530 | 18,299 | 73,718 | 136,098 |
| China | 72,488 | 70,541 | 103,602 | 108,051 | 102,931 |
| United Arab Emirates | 28,273 | 27,744 | 41,978 | 56,771 | 69,849 |
| India | 75,161 | 67,146 | 88,399 | 109,594 | 55,969 |
| Tanzania, United Republic of | 56,298 | 44,027 | 51,584 | 59,237 | 49,810 |
Source: International Trade Centre COMTRADE Statistics.
Export Partners (Exported Value, thousands, USD)
| Importers | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
| World | 141,501 | 113,791 | 123,056 | 149,406 | 169,071 |
| United Arab Emirates | 24,944 | 14,492 | 16,063 | 38,268 | 50,216 |
| Congo, Democratic Republic of the | 28,400 | 28,272 | 27,471 | 26,648 | 18,904 |
| Pakistan | – | – | – | 13,812 | 13,145 |
| Belgium | 5,863 | 4,261 | 7,295 | 8,093 | 12,148 |
| Switzerland | 23,471 | 22,516 | 21,991 | 8,833 | 9,468 |
Source: International Trade Centre COMTRADE Statistics.
Investment Profile
FDI Inflows (millions of USD)
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
| FDI Inflows | 0.1 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 6.1 |
Source:United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, World Investment Report 2021
FDI Outflows (millions of USD)
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
| FDI Inflows | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 1.7 |
Source:United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, World Investment Report 2021
FDI Inward Stock (millions of USD)
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
| FDI Inward Stock | 241.4 | 231.0 | 226.7 | 227.7 | 233.8 |
Source: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, World Investment Report 2021
FDI Outflows Stock (millions of USD)
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
| FDI Inward Stock | 2.6 | 2.5 | 2.4 | 3.2 | 4.9 |
Source: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, World Investment Report 2021
FDI Inflows Main Source Countries (in terms of number of projects)
Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Netherlands, South Africa, Switzerland, UK, United States, Vietnam and Egypt.
Source: Financial Times, fDi Markets, 2018.
FDI Inflows Main Sectors (in terms of number of projects)
Financial Services, Communications, Business Services, Building and Construction Materials, Metals, Rubber, Renewable Energy, Food and Tobacco, Healthcare, Tourism.
Source: Financial Times, fDi Markets, 2018.
FDI Inflows Main Companies (in terms of number of projects)
Diamond Trust Bank, Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), Rainbow Rare Earths, Viettel Burundi, CityBlue Hotels, PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Ecobank Transnational, Viettel, SEW-Eurodrive, Equity Bank.
Source: Financial Times, fDi Markets, 2018.
Doing Business
Overall Doing Business Ranking
| 2020 | 166/190 |
| 2019 | 168/190 |
Source: World Bank, Doing Business, 2020
Starting a Business
| 2020 Rank | 44/190 |
| Procedures (number) | 4 |
| Time (days) | 5 |
| Cost (% of income per capita*) | 12.3 |
| Paid-in Minimum Capital (% of income per capita*) | 0.0 |
*GNI per capita used: USD 280
Source: World Bank, Doing Business, 2020
Paying Taxes
Paying Taxes
| 2020 Rank | 140/190 |
| Payments (number per year) | 24 |
| Time (hours per year) | 232 |
| Total Tax Rate (% of profit) | 41.2 |
| Profit Tax (% of profit) | 28.5 |
| Labour Tax and Contributions (% of profit) | 10.2 |
| Other Taxes (% of profit) | 2.5 |
Source: World Bank, Doing Business, 2020
Trading Across Borders
| 2020 Rank | 169/190 |
| Time to Export: Border Compliance (hours) | 59 |
| Cost to Export: Border Compliance (USD) | 109 |
| Time to Export: Documentary Compliance (hours) | 120 |
| Cost to Export: Documentary Compliance (USD) | 150 |
| Time to Import: Border Compliance (hours) | 154 |
| Cost to Import: Border Compliance (USD) | 444 |
| Time to Import: Documentary Compliance (hours) | 180 |
| Cost to Import: Documentary Compliance (USD) | 1025 |
Assumptions
- It is assumed that shipment travels from a warehouse in the largest business city of the exporting economy to a warehouse in the largest business city of the importing economy.
- It is assumed that each economy imports a standardized shipment of 15 metric tons of containerized auto parts (HS 8708) from its natural import partner—the economy from which it imports the largest value (price times quantity) of auto parts. It is assumed that each economy exports the product of its comparative advantage (defined by the largest export value) to its natural export partner—the economy that is the largest purchaser of this product.
- A shipment is a unit of trade. Export shipments do not necessarily need to be containerized, while import shipments of auto parts are assumed to be containerized.
- Shipping cost based on weight is assumed to be greater than shipping cost based on volume.
- If government fees are determined by the value of the shipment, the value is assumed to be $50,000.
- The mode of transport is the one most widely used for the chosen export or import product and the trading partner, as is the seaport, airport or land border crossing.
- Time is measured in hours, and 1 day is 24 hours.
- Costs do not include tariffs.
Source: World Bank, Doing Business, 2020
Investment Regime
Legal Framework
Investment Code – Law N. 1/24 of the 10th of September 2008
Key guarantees in terms of investment protection include:
- Protection against expropriation or nationalization of investments
- Free transfer of foreign capital and income after taxes as well as the return on capital as dividends of companies with foreign or mixed capital
- For dispute settlement, investors can choose between using an internal institutional arbitrage or institutional arbitration under the rules established by the ICSID
Source: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, iGuide Burundi.
Investment Incentives
- Acquisition of buildings and plots, essential for the achievement of the exploitation is exempted from transfer taxes.
- Customs duties exemption on all imported duties produced in the EAC and
- If the business profit results in a loss in a tax period, the loss may be deducted from the business profit in the next five (5) tax periods, earlier losses being deducted before later losses.
- Tax discount and exemption – A registered investment entity that operates in a Free Trade Zone (FTZ), and foreign companies that have their headquarters in Burundi, that fulfil the requirements stipulated in the Burundian Law on Investment Promotion, is entitled to:
- Exemption from CIT for 10 years of business.
- 15% CIT from year-11 and upwards.
- 10% CIT if the investor employs more than 100 Burundians.
- Exemption from 15% WHT on dividends.
- Tax-free repatriation of profits.
- Free transfer on purchase or sale of buildings.
- Tax discount and exemption – A registered investment entity that operates in a Free Trade Zone (FTZ), and foreign companies that have their headquarters in Burundi, that fulfil the requirements stipulated in the Burundian Law on Investment Promotion, is entitled to:
- A registered investor shall be entitled to a profit tax discount of:
- (2%) if the investor employs between 50 and 200 Burundians; and
- (5%) if the investor employs more than 200 Burundians.
- The workers taken into account are those having a taxable remuneration.
Source: KPMG, Burundi Fiscal Guide 2018 and Deloitte, Guide to Fiscal Information, Key Economies in Africa 2018
Country Snapshot
| Population (2019, millions)¹ | 11.531 |
| Population Projections (2030, millions)¹ | 15.77 |
| Capital | Bujumbura |
| Surface Area (km²)² | 27,830 |
| Weather¹¹ | Average annual temperature, 24°C; driest months, June-September; wettest months, February-May; average monthly rainfall, 65 mm |
| Languages³ | Official: Kirundi and French Others: Swahili, English and others |
| Main Religions³ | Main: Catholic and Protestant – Others: Muslim and others |
| Time⁴ | Central Africa Time (CAT) +0200 UTC |
| Driving Orientation⁵ | Right Side |
| Internet Country Code⁶ | .bi |
| Country Calling Code | +257 |
| Plug, Socket and Voltage⁷ | Type C and E – 220V/50Hz |
| Currency | Burundi Franc (BIF) |
| Exchange Rate (As of 28 January 2019, per USD) | 1,928 (buy rate) |
| GDP at Market Prices (2018, current, billions of USD)⁹ | 3.078 |
| GDP Growth (2018, annual %)⁹ | 1.6 |
| Average GDP Growth (2014-2018, annual %)⁹ | 0.36 |
| GDP per Capita, PPP (2018, current international $)⁹ | 742.8 |
Sources:
¹United Nations Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
²COMESA Statistics, COMESTAT Data Hub.
³CIA World Factbook.
⁴Time and Date Portal.
⁵Chartsbin Portal, “Worldwide Driving Orientation by Country”.
⁶Wikipedia, “List of Internet top-level domains”; and, Internet Assigned Numbers Authority, Root Zone Database.
⁷International Electrotechnical Commission, World Plugs.
⁹World Bank, World Development Indicators 2019.
¹¹Economist Intelligence Unit.
¹²AFDB Socioeconomic Database.
Reasons to Invest in Burundi
- Burundi is member of economic communities CEPGL, COMESA, EAC totaling more than 21 countries and 450 million consumers.
- Capital Transfer Advantages:
- Free transfer of foreign capital and income after payment of taxes
- The transfer of capital remuneration in the form of dividends, in full for enterprises with foreign capital
- Protection of private property
- Non–nationalization and non–expropriation of investments implemented in its territory as well as any measures of equivalent scope
- Burundi has a strategic geographical position allowing direct access to neighbouring countries
- Burundi has a business environment in constant improvement (Doing Business Reports: Burundi was ranked among the top 10 reformers in the world for 3 consecutive years)
- Burundi offers freedom of establishment and investment
- Burundi is a member of the COMESA Free Trade Area and EAC Common Market
- Labour costs in Burundi are relatively cheaper compared to other countries in the sub-region.
Source: Burundi Investment Authority – API
Population
Population Projections (millions)
| Population (2019) | 11.53 |
| Population Projections (2030) | 15.77 |
Source: United Nations Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
Population Residing in Urban Areas (%)
| Population Projections (2019) | 13.36 |
| Percentage of Population Residing in Urban Areas (2030) | 17.59 |
Source: United Nations Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
Economy Overview
GDP
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | |
| GDP at Market Prices (current, billions of USD) | 4.2 | (3.9) | (0.6) | 0.5 | 1.6 |
| GDP Growth (annual %) | 4.59 | 4.66 | 3.92 | 0.57 | 0.52 |
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators 2019.
Value Added by Sector (% of GDP)
| Indicator | 2018 | 2019 |
| Agriculture | 48.78 | 48.38 |
| Manufacturing | 14.03 | 13.99 |
| Industry | 19.59 | 19.38 |
| Services | 50.64 | 51.23 |
| Construction | 4.18 | 4.04 |
| Electricity, gas and water | 0.92 | 0.92 |
| Mining and quarrying | 0.45 | 0.43 |
| Education | 7.81 | 7.79 |
| Finance, real estate and business services | 5.60 | 5.88 |
| Public administration and Defense | 8.71 | 8.83 |
| Health and Social Work | 3.98 | 4.04 |
| Other services | 3.36 | 3.56 |
| Transport, storage and communication | 5.09 | 5.36 |
| Wholesale and retail trade, hotels and restaurants | 21.21 | 21.20 |
Source: AFDB Socio Economic Database
Trade Profile
Import Partners (Imported Value, thousands, USD)
| Exporters | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
| World | 672,579 | 560,585 | 625,328 | 783,299 | 793,512 |
| Saudi Arabia | 73,452 | 35,530 | 18,299 | 73,718 | 136,098 |
| China | 72,488 | 70,541 | 103,602 | 108,051 | 102,931 |
| United Arab Emirates | 28,273 | 27,744 | 41,978 | 56,771 | 69,849 |
| India | 75,161 | 67,146 | 88,399 | 109,594 | 55,969 |
| Tanzania, United Republic of | 56,298 | 44,027 | 51,584 | 59,237 | 49,810 |
Source: International Trade Centre COMTRADE Statistics.
Export Partners (Exported Value, thousands, USD)
| Importers | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
| World | 141,501 | 113,791 | 123,056 | 149,406 | 169,071 |
| United Arab Emirates | 24,944 | 14,492 | 16,063 | 38,268 | 50,216 |
| Congo, Democratic Republic of the | 28,400 | 28,272 | 27,471 | 26,648 | 18,904 |
| Pakistan | – | – | – | 13,812 | 13,145 |
| Belgium | 5,863 | 4,261 | 7,295 | 8,093 | 12,148 |
| Switzerland | 23,471 | 22,516 | 21,991 | 8,833 | 9,468 |
Source: International Trade Centre COMTRADE Statistics.
Investment Profile
FDI Inflows (millions of USD)
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
| FDI Inflows | 0.1 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 6.1 |
Source:United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, World Investment Report 2021
FDI Outflows (millions of USD)
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
| FDI Inflows | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 1.7 |
Source:United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, World Investment Report 2021
FDI Inward Stock (millions of USD)
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
| FDI Inward Stock | 241.4 | 231.0 | 226.7 | 227.7 | 233.8 |
Source: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, World Investment Report 2021
FDI Outflows Stock (millions of USD)
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
| FDI Inward Stock | 2.6 | 2.5 | 2.4 | 3.2 | 4.9 |
Source: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, World Investment Report 2021
FDI Inflows Main Source Countries (in terms of number of projects)
Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Netherlands, South Africa, Switzerland, UK, United States, Vietnam and Egypt.
Source: Financial Times, fDi Markets, 2018.
FDI Inflows Main Sectors (in terms of number of projects)
Financial Services, Communications, Business Services, Building and Construction Materials, Metals, Rubber, Renewable Energy, Food and Tobacco, Healthcare, Tourism.
Source: Financial Times, fDi Markets, 2018.
FDI Inflows Main Companies (in terms of number of projects)
Diamond Trust Bank, Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), Rainbow Rare Earths, Viettel Burundi, CityBlue Hotels, PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Ecobank Transnational, Viettel, SEW-Eurodrive, Equity Bank.
Source: Financial Times, fDi Markets, 2018.
Doing Business
Overall Doing Business Ranking
| 2020 | 166/190 |
| 2019 | 168/190 |
Source: World Bank, Doing Business, 2020
Starting a Business
| 2020 Rank | 44/190 |
| Procedures (number) | 4 |
| Time (days) | 5 |
| Cost (% of income per capita*) | 12.3 |
| Paid-in Minimum Capital (% of income per capita*) | 0.0 |
*GNI per capita used: USD 280
Source: World Bank, Doing Business, 2020
Paying Taxes
Paying Taxes
| 2020 Rank | 140/190 |
| Payments (number per year) | 24 |
| Time (hours per year) | 232 |
| Total Tax Rate (% of profit) | 41.2 |
| Profit Tax (% of profit) | 28.5 |
| Labour Tax and Contributions (% of profit) | 10.2 |
| Other Taxes (% of profit) | 2.5 |
Source: World Bank, Doing Business, 2020
Trading Across Borders
| 2020 Rank | 169/190 |
| Time to Export: Border Compliance (hours) | 59 |
| Cost to Export: Border Compliance (USD) | 109 |
| Time to Export: Documentary Compliance (hours) | 120 |
| Cost to Export: Documentary Compliance (USD) | 150 |
| Time to Import: Border Compliance (hours) | 154 |
| Cost to Import: Border Compliance (USD) | 444 |
| Time to Import: Documentary Compliance (hours) | 180 |
| Cost to Import: Documentary Compliance (USD) | 1025 |
Assumptions
- It is assumed that shipment travels from a warehouse in the largest business city of the exporting economy to a warehouse in the largest business city of the importing economy.
- It is assumed that each economy imports a standardized shipment of 15 metric tons of containerized auto parts (HS 8708) from its natural import partner—the economy from which it imports the largest value (price times quantity) of auto parts. It is assumed that each economy exports the product of its comparative advantage (defined by the largest export value) to its natural export partner—the economy that is the largest purchaser of this product.
- A shipment is a unit of trade. Export shipments do not necessarily need to be containerized, while import shipments of auto parts are assumed to be containerized.
- Shipping cost based on weight is assumed to be greater than shipping cost based on volume.
- If government fees are determined by the value of the shipment, the value is assumed to be $50,000.
- The mode of transport is the one most widely used for the chosen export or import product and the trading partner, as is the seaport, airport or land border crossing.
- Time is measured in hours, and 1 day is 24 hours.
- Costs do not include tariffs.
Source: World Bank, Doing Business, 2020
Investment Regime
Legal Framework
Investment Code – Law N. 1/24 of the 10th of September 2008
Key guarantees in terms of investment protection include:
- Protection against expropriation or nationalization of investments
- Free transfer of foreign capital and income after taxes as well as the return on capital as dividends of companies with foreign or mixed capital
- For dispute settlement, investors can choose between using an internal institutional arbitrage or institutional arbitration under the rules established by the ICSID
Source: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, iGuide Burundi.
Investment Incentives
- Acquisition of buildings and plots, essential for the achievement of the exploitation is exempted from transfer taxes.
- Customs duties exemption on all imported duties produced in the EAC and
- If the business profit results in a loss in a tax period, the loss may be deducted from the business profit in the next five (5) tax periods, earlier losses being deducted before later losses.
- Tax discount and exemption – A registered investment entity that operates in a Free Trade Zone (FTZ), and foreign companies that have their headquarters in Burundi, that fulfil the requirements stipulated in the Burundian Law on Investment Promotion, is entitled to:
- Exemption from CIT for 10 years of business.
- 15% CIT from year-11 and upwards.
- 10% CIT if the investor employs more than 100 Burundians.
- Exemption from 15% WHT on dividends.
- Tax-free repatriation of profits.
- Free transfer on purchase or sale of buildings.
- Tax discount and exemption – A registered investment entity that operates in a Free Trade Zone (FTZ), and foreign companies that have their headquarters in Burundi, that fulfil the requirements stipulated in the Burundian Law on Investment Promotion, is entitled to:
- A registered investor shall be entitled to a profit tax discount of:
- (2%) if the investor employs between 50 and 200 Burundians; and
- (5%) if the investor employs more than 200 Burundians.
- The workers taken into account are those having a taxable remuneration.
Source: KPMG, Burundi Fiscal Guide 2018 and Deloitte, Guide to Fiscal Information, Key Economies in Africa 2018