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  ANNEX 1 BURUNDI  WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  TABLE OF CONTENTS  
1   ECONOMIC ENVIRON MENT  ................................ ................................ ........................  57 
1.1   Main features of the economy  ................................ ................................ ...................... 57 
1.2   Recent economic developments  ................................ ................................ .................... 57 
1.3   Trade and investment performance  ................................ ................................ ............... 61 
1.3.1    Trends and patterns of trade in goods and services  ................................ ...................... 61 
1.3.2    FDI trends and structure  ................................ ................................ ........................... 63 
2   TRADE AND INVEST MENT REGIMES ................................ ................................ ...........  65 
2.1   General framework  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....65 
2.2   Trade policy formulation and objectives  ................................ ................................ ......... 66 
2.3   Trade agreements and arrangements  ................................ ................................ ............ 67 
2.3.1    WTO ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................... 67 
2.3.2    Regional and preferential agreements  ................................ ................................ ........ 68 
2.4   Investment regime  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....68 
2.4.1    Overview  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................ 68 
2.4.2    Free zone regime  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....71 
3   TRADE POLICIES A ND PRACTICES BY MEAS URE ................................ ........................  72 
3.1   Measures directly affecting imports  ................................ ................................ ............... 72 
3.1.1    Customs procedures, valuation and requirements  ................................ ........................ 72 
3.1.2    Rules of origin  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 73 
3.1.3    Customs duties  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........ 73 
3.1.4    Other taxes on imports  ................................ ................................ ............................. 74 
3.1.5    Duty and tax concessions  ................................ ................................ ......................... 74 
3.1.6    Import prohibitions, quantitative restrictions and licensing  ................................ ............ 75 
3.1.7    Anti-dumping, countervailing  and safeguard measures  ................................ ................. 75 
3.1.8    Other measures affecting imports  ................................ ................................ .............. 75 
3.2   Measures directly affecting exports  ................................ ................................ ............... 75 
3.2.1    Customs procedures and requirements  ................................ ................................ .......75 
3.2.2    Taxes, charges and levies  ................................ ................................ ......................... 75 
3.2.3    Export prohibitions, restrictions and licensing  ................................ .............................. 76 
3.2.4    Export support and promotion  ................................ ................................ ................... 76 
3.3   Measures affecting production and trade  ................................ ................................ .......76 
3.3.1    Incentives  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 76 
3.3.2    Standards and other technical regulations  ................................ ................................ ...76 
3.3.3    Sanitary and phytosanitary requirements  ................................ ................................ ....79 
3.3.4    Competition policy and price control  ................................ ................................ ........... 80 
3.3.5    State trading, State -owned enterprises and privatization  ................................ .............. 80 
3.3.6    Government procurement  ................................ ................................ ......................... 82 
3.3.7    Intellectual property rights  ................................ ................................ ........................ 83 
4   TRADE POLICIES BY SECT OR ................................ ................................ .....................  85 WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  4.1   Agriculture, forestry and fishing  ................................ ................................ ................... 85 
4.1.1    Agricultural policy  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....85 
4.1.1.1    Policy by subsector  ................................ ................................ ............................... 87 
4.1.1.1.1    Agriculture  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........ 87 
4.1.1.1.1.1    Coffee  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............ 87 
4.1.1.1.1.2    Tea ................................ ................................ ................................ ................ 88 
4.1.1.1.1.3    Cotton  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........... 89 
4.1.1.1.1.4    Sugar  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............ 89 
4.1.1.1.1.5    Livestock  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........ 89 
4.1.1.1.1.6    Fishing  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........... 90 
4.1.1.1.1.7    Forestry  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 91 
4.2   Mining and energy  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......91 
4.2.1    Mining produ cts ................................ ................................ ................................ .......91 
4.2.2    Energy and water  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....93 
4.2.2.1    Water  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................. 93 
4.2.2.2    Electricity  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 93 
4.2.2.3    Hydrocarbons  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......95 
4.3   Manufacturing  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............ 95 
4.4   Services  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................... 96 
4.4.1    Postal and telecommunications services ................................ ................................ ......96 
4.4.1.1    Telecommunications  ................................ ................................ .............................. 97 
4.4.1.2    Postal services  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......98 
4.4.2    Transport  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................ 98 
4.4.2.1    Road transport  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....98 
4.4.2.2    Air transport  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 99 
4.4.2.3    Lake transport  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 100 
4.4.3    Tourism  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  100 
4.4.4    Financial services  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 101 
4.4.4.1    Banks and other financial institutions  ................................ ................................ .... 101 
4.4.4.2    Insurance  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  102 
5   APPENDIX TABLES  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 104  
 
CHARTS  
 
Chart 1.1 Structure of merchandise trade, 2012 and 2017  ................................ ...................... 62 
Chart 1.2 Direction of trade in goods, 2012 and 2017  ................................ ............................. 63 
 
TABLES  
 
Table 1.1 Basic economic indicators, 2011 -2017 ................................ ................................ ....57 
Table 1.2 Balance of payments, 2011 -2017 ................................ ................................ ........... 60 WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  Table 2.1 Main trade laws and regulations, September 2017  ................................ ................... 66 
Table 2.2 Notifications submitted to the WTO between 1 January 2012 and 31 March  2018 ........... 67 
Table 3.1 List of products subject to excise duties, and applied rates (2018)  ............................. 74 
Table 3.2 Fees for preshipment product conformity verification  ................................ ................ 78 
Table 3.3 List of State -invested companies and the State's share, 2011  ................................ ....81 
Table 3.4 Statistics on government procureme nt by procedure, 2012 -2017 ............................... 83 
Table 4.1 Statistics on agricultural products, 2011 -2016 ................................ ......................... 85 
Table 4.2 Trends in mining exports by type of ore, 2011 -2016 ................................ ................ 91 
Table 4.3 Trends in mining production by product, 2011 -2016 ................................ ................. 91 
Table 4.4 Electricity rates applicable throughout Burundi, 2017  ................................ ............... 94 
Table 4.5 Bujumbura International Airport Traffic, 2013 to 2017  ................................ .............. 99 
Table 4.6 Tourist arrivals in Burundi, 2012 -2017 ................................ ................................ .. 100 
 
APPENDIX TABLES  
 
Table A1. 1 Structure des exports, including re -exports, 2012 -2017 ................................ ....... 104 
Table A1. 2 Structure of imports 2012 -2017 ................................ ................................ ........  105 
Table A1. 3 Merchandise exports by destination, including re -exports, 2012 -2017 ...................  106 
Table A1. 4 Origin of imports, 2012 -2017 ................................ ................................ ...........  107 
 
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  1  ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT  
1.1  Main features of the economy  
1.1.  Burundi is a least developed country (LDC) with 11.2  million inhabitants spread over an area 
of 27,830  km2, making it on e of the most densely populated countries in Africa. Its rapid population 
growth (2.6%) places considerable pressure on natural resources.  
1.2.  Thanks to the Government's efforts in the health and educa tion areas, the country's 
Human  Development Index progressed from 0.298 in 2005 to 0.404 in 2015. However, the poverty 
rate remains high, and with some 72.9% of the population living below the poverty line in 2017, 
Burundi ranks 184th out of 188 countries on the Human Development Index.  
1.3.  Burundi's economy, which is poorly diversified and highly vulnerable to external shocks, largely 
depends on agriculture and services. The agricultural sector is dominated by coffee and tea, and 
relies essentially on small farms with low yields. In spite of  the scarcity of arable land, agriculture 
accounts for more than 40% of GDP and employs 80% of the population (Table  1.1). 
1.4.  Burundi is not lacking in natural resources, in particular mineral deposits, but they remain 
under -exploited in an unfavourable busin ess climate plagued by armed conflicts and other episodes 
of political instability and by a lack of infrastructure. Other impediments to the diversification of 
Burundi's economy notably include difficulties in obtaining access to credit for SMEs and the sm all 
size of the market.  
1.5.  In the 2018 edition of the World Bank report "Doing Business", Burundi ranks 164th out of 
190 economies, 7  ranks lower than in 2017. Among other things, the report notes a deterioration in 
terms of starting a business, which has bec ome more expensive. At the same time, there have been 
improvements in property transfer and resolving insolvency.1 
1.6.  Burundi accepted the provisions of Article  VIII of the Articles of Agreement of the 
International  Monetary Fund (IMF), and should, in princip le, maintain an exchange regime without 
restrictions on payments and transfers in respect of current international transactions.  
1.2  Recent economic developments  
1.7.  During the period under review, Burundi's economic performance has depended chiefly on the 
develop ment of the agricultural sector, on the extent of construction work and public infrastructure 
development and, to a lesser extent on the dynamism of the agri -food industry.  
1.8.  Burundi's GDP (in real terms) grew at a fairly sustained rate from 2011 to 2014, wi th a growth 
peak of 4.9% in 2013 (Table  1.1). This was due to a rebound in agricultural production, particularly 
in the coffee sector, and to a vibrant construction sector and the implementation of major 
infrastructure projects, notably in the hydroelectri c power supply area.  
Table 1.1 Basic economic indicators, 2011 -2017  
 2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  
Nominal GDP (billions of BIF at 
current prices)  2,819.5  3,365.8  3,812.5  4,185.1  4,423.2  4,754.9  5,170.8  
Nominal GDP (millions of USD at 
current prices)  2,235.8  2,333.3  2,451.6  2,705.8  2,813.9  2,873.7  2,990.5  
Real GDP (annual % change)  4.0 4.4 4.9 4.2 -0.3 1.7 2.5 
GDP per capita (USD at current 
prices)  247.2  250.4  255.4  273.5  275.9  273.1  275.3  
Unemployment rate (%)  .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 
Inflation ( CPI, % change)  9.6 18.2 7.9 4.4 5.5 5.6 16.1 
Population (millions)  9.0 9.3 9.6 9.9 10.2 10.5 10.9 
National accounts at current prices (% of GDP)a 
Final government consumption  22.9 23.3 24.7 25.9 26.7 27.0 25.3 
                                                
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   2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  
Final private consumption  86.2 84.4 89.1 85.5 84.9 82.9 80.0 
Gross fixed capital formation  15.4 14.8 13.4 14.5 12.3 11.6 12.6 
Changes in inventory  -1.2 7.3 0.8 0.7 -0.6 -2.0 -1.4 
Exports of goods and services  10.5 9.7 9.0 7.6 6.3 6.3 6.0 
Imports of goods and services  33.9 39.5 37.1 34.2 29.6 25.8 22.5 
Sectoral distribution of GDP at current prices (% of GDP)a 
Agriculture, hunting, forestry and 
fishing  41.0 39.3 42.6 39.0 40.5 40.7 42.0 
Mining and quarrying  0.4 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.4 
Manufacturing industries  11.2 11.7 11.9 12.2 11.9 11.8 11.1 
Electricity, gas and water  0.6 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.7 
Construction and public works  4.3 4.6 4.1 3.8 3.4 3.2 3.1 
Services  46.6 46.6 43.1 47.3 47.5 48.0 48.4 
 Wholesale and retail trade, 
restaurants and hotels  20.3 20.3 17.9 18.8 18.0 17.5 17.0 
 Banking, insurance and real 
estate  4.3 3.9 3.5 3.9 4.9 5.4 5.9 
Transport and communications  3.6 3.5 3.1 4.4 4.6 4.6 4.7 
 Public administration and 
defence  6.3 6.7 6.8 7.7 7.4 7.4 7.4 
Education  7.3 7.3 6.6 6.8 6.6 6.4 6.4 
Health and social services  2.7 3.2 3.1 3.2 3.2 3.5 3.8 
Other services  2.2 1.6 2.0 2.6 2.9 3.2 3.4 
Minus financial intermediation 
services  -4.2 -3.5 -3.1 -3.6 -4.4 -4.7 -5.8 
Public finances (%  GDP)  
Revenue and grants  24.1 21.0 22.1 21.0 16.6 15.9 17.3 
Tax revenue  15.6 14.6 13.8 13.7 12.3 12.3 13.5 
Income tax  4.4 4.6 3.8 3.3 3.0 2.8 2.9 
Domestic trade tax  8.7 8.2 8.0 8.4 7.3 7.2 8.4 
VAT and transaction tax  6.3 6.0 5.5 5.7 4.7 4.7 5.2 
 Consumption tax on fuel and 
tobacco  0.7 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.7 0.7 1.3 
  Consumption tax on beer 
and sugar  1.8 2.0 2.3 2.2 1.9 1.8 1.9 
Foreign trade taxes  1.9 1.5 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.4 1.3 
of which, import tax  1.7 1.3 1.1 1.1 1.0 1.2 1.1 
Other tax revenue  0.6 0.3 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 0.9 
Non-tax revenue  1.1 1.0 1.0 2.2 1.3 1.1 1.1 
Grants  7.2 4.6 7.2 5.1 3.2 2.5 2.7 
Expenditure  27.3 24.5 25.0 25.3 22.4 22.0 22.0 
Current expenditure  19.7 17.6 18.1 17.2 18.3 16.5 16.7 
Expenditure on goods and 
services  13.2 11.5 10.9 10.4 10.5 10.8 10.6 
of which, wages  9.7 8.4 7.8 7.5 7.3 7.6 7.5 
Subsidies and transfers  5.0 4.8 5.9 5.6 6.5 4.6 5.4 
Interest payments  1.2 0.9 0.8 0.9 0.9 0.7 0.5 
Special fund expenditure  0.4 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.2 
Capital expenditure  7.6 6.9 6.9 8.1 4.1 5.5 5.3 
Overall balance  -3.2 -3.6 -2.9 -4.4 -5.8 -6.0 -4.8 
Public Debt (millions of USD)  791.8  795.3  780.4  894.7  1,120.8  1,268.4  1,403.2  
Domestic debt (% of GDP)  18.2 16.0 15.7 17.4 24.2 28.9 31.9 
External debt (% of GDP)  17.2 18.1 16.1 15.7 15.6 15.2 15.1 
Memorandum  
BIF/USD (annual average)  1,261.1  1,442.5  1,555.1  1,546.7  1,571.9  1,654.6  1,729.1  
Real effective exchange rates 
(% change: -= depreciation)  -0.8 3.1 0.1 4.1 14.2 0.2 7.4 
Nominal effective exchange rate 
(% change: -= depreciation)  -3.9 -8.6 -3.9 3.2 11.2 -2.6 -4.6 
Gross foreign exchange reserve 
(in millions of USD, at the end 
of the period)  295.6  312.9  321.2  317.3  136.4  95.4 112.9  WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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   2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  
In months of next year's imports  4.0 4.0 4.2 4.2 2.3 1.5 1.7 
FDI inflows (in millions of USD)  3.4 0.6 7.4 47.1 7.4 0.1 0.3 
% of GDP  0.2 0.0 0.3 1.7 0.3 0.00 0.01 
Inward FDI stock (in millions of 
USD)  15.2 13.9 131.7  212.2  252.0  241.4  241.7  
% of GDP  0.7 0.6 5.4 7.8 7.8 7.6 7.6 
Coffee, Arabica (USD/Kg)  6.0 4.1 3.1 4.4 3.5 3.6 3.3 
Tea (USD/Kg)  2.9 2.9 2.9 2.7 2.7 2.6 3.1 
Crude oil, average (USD/bbl)  104.0  105.0  104.1  96.2 50.8 42.8 52.8 
Gold (USD/troy ounce)  1,569.2  1,669.5  1,411.5  1,265.6  1,160.7  1,249.0  1,257.6  
.. Not available.  
a Provisional data for 2017.  
Source:  Bank of the Republic of Burundi, Online statistical information . Viewed at : https://www.brb.bi ; IMF, 
IMF Database . Viewed at: http://elibrary -data.imf.org ; African Statistical Yearbook 2018 . Viewed at: 
https://www.afdb.org/fr/knowledge/publications/african -statistical -yearbook ; World Bank, 
Databank . Viewed at: http://databank.banquemondiale.org/data/home.aspx ; and UNCTADstat . 
Viewed at: http://unctadstat.unctad.org/FR/Index.html . 
1.9.  In 2015, the economy entered into recession, and alth ough the GDP growth rate showed timid 
signs of recovery in 2016, it remained weak in 2017 owing to the fragility of the political environment 
and the direct consequences of that fragility (including population displacements) , to the weakness 
of domestic co nsumption, and to the fall in agricultural production as a result of poor climatic 
conditions, aggravated by the socio -political crisis.  
1.10.   Indeed, the 2015 presidential elections resulted in a political deadlock with, as the main 
stumbling blocks, the implem entation of the Arusha  Peace and Reconciliation  Agreement and respect 
for the Constitution. As a result, following the suspension in January  2016 of the IMF assessment of 
the programme supported by the Extended Credit Facility , the principal donors (the Eu ropean Union 
and the United States) suspended part of their direct aid .2 
1.11.   The overall development framework and the long -term social and economic development 
goals are set forth in "Vision Burundi  2025", adopted in October  2010, while the Growth and Poverty 
Reduction Strategy Framework (GPRSF) is the country's medium -term planning tool. Generally 
speaking, Burundi's economic  policy aims to provide the country with the infrastructure needed to 
promote rapid and sustained growth in accordance with GPRSF  II, adopted in February  2012. 
Accordingly,  2013 saw the launching of major projects in the energy, transport, water, electrici ty 
and telecommunications sectors. GPRSF  II covered the period up to the end of 2015.  
1.12.   Burundi's Na tional Development Plan 2018 -2027 was officially launched on 22  August  2018. 
Its strategic objectives include  the construction and maintenance of infrastructure; the revitalization 
of economic sectors such as agriculture and crafts; improvement of access to basic social services, 
in particular education, health and social protection; environmental protection; imp rovement of 
financial governance, particularly in the financial sector ; and development of regional and 
international partnerships.  
1.13.   Structural and macroeconomic reforms were introduced under the programme supported by 
the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) agr eed with the IMF in January  2012. The main emphasis was 
placed on public debt sustainability and the mobilization of domestic revenue by continuing to reform 
tax administration, more specifically by streamlining procedures, introducing a flexible tax regim e, 
broadening the tax base, decentralizing and modernizing tax collection structures, and bringing the 
tax system into line with the regulations of the East African Community (EAC).  
1.14.   As with expenditure, revenue experienced a downward trend during the revie w period, but at 
a faster rate. The overall budget deficit remained below 5% of GDP from 2011 to 2014, dropping to 
a low of 2.9% in 2013 as a result of the reform s. With the socio -political crisis of 2015, it was 
                                                
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  impossible to pursue the reforms beg un unde r the Extended Credit Facility programme supported 
by the IMF, which was suspended as from 2016. The budget deficit widened considerably, increasing 
progressively from  4.4% from 2014 to 6.8% in 2016 before improving slightly in 2017. With public 
finances d eteriorating as a result of the freeze on much of the country's foreign aid, the Government 
systematically resorted to the statutory advances granted by the Central Bank and to the issue of 
treasury bills to finance part of the deficit.  
1.15.   Burundi's outstandi ng debt remained stable from 2011 to 2014 at approximately 35% of GDP. 
However, the gloomy economic and financial outlook took its toll, and the figure rose from 33.1% 
of GDP in 2014 to 47% in 2016 as the result of an exponential increase in the domestic d ebt. 
According to the debt sustainability analysis conducted by the IMF and the World Bank in 2015, 
Burundi still faces a high risk of over -indebtedness.3 
1.16.   Considerable efforts have been made to improve debt management since 2012, notably the 
introduction o f a computerized foreign debt management system ( SYGADE ) coupled with the 
Government's declared intention to improve the legal framework for debt management. This 
framework was in fact reformed with the promulgation of Law  No. 1/03 of 11  May 2016 promoting  
low-cost and minimal -risk debt management without undermining the sustainability of public 
finances. In principle, the National Debt Management Committee is responsible for developing a debt 
strategy. It sets a ceiling for the overall debt, the maximum am ount of treasury bill issues and of 
State guarantees, and the acceptable concessionality level for loans. But in spite of this institutional 
framework, the country still lacks a medium -term debt strategy.  
1.17.   The Bank of the Republic of Burundi (BRB), whose ma in objective is price stability, is in charge 
of the country's monetary policy. Generally speaking, it acts to keep the growth of the money supply 
within limits that are compatible with GDP growth.  
1.18.   The BRB maintained a relatively expansionist monetary poli cy during the review period, 
facilitating the refinancing of commercial banks in order to support productive investment and 
economic growth. Among other thin gs, it stepped up its liquidity -providing operations associated 
with low interest rates, increasing  both the volume and frequency of its interventions.  
1.19.    The inflation rate remained volatile through the review period. Burundi imports the vast 
majority of its mass consumption goods, and inflation essentially hinged  on the price of staple goods 
abroad and the exchange rate of the Burundi Franc against the main currencies. The inflation rate 
peaked at 18.1% in 2012 mainly owing to the sharp rise in the price of food. The country once again 
experienced two -digit inflation in 2017 owing to  a combination of fac tors such as the massive 
recourse bank financing, a sharp depreciation in the national currency, and poor subsistence farming 
yields which led to an increase in already costly  imports.  
1.20.   Since March  2013, the BRB has regularly intervened to shore up the fran c against  the dollar. 
These interventions on the foreign exchange market limited the depreciation of the official exchange 
rate to 5% in 2016 and 4.6% in 2017. However, between 2015 and 2016 the parallel market 
premium rose from 25% to 60%.  
1.21.   Burundi's exter nal cur rent account remains in deficit, reflecting the goods and services trade 
balance (Table  1.2). As a share of GDP, there has been a downward trend in the country's deficit 
since 2011, thanks chiefly to limited imports (of capital goods in particular) and improved agricultural 
and mining exports.  
Table 1.2 Balance of payments, 2011 -2017  
(BIF billions )  
2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  
Current account  -357.6  -368.0  -401.9  -608.2  586.7  -587.1  -622.5  
Goods  -540.4  -831.4  -904.4  -809.4  -759.2  -691.2  -783.4  
f.o.b. exports  156.4  194.3  146.3  203.8  189.9  181.0  298.5  
f.o.b. imports  696.7  1,025.7  1,050.6  1,013.3  949.2  872.3  1081.9  
Services  -127.6  -171.3  -172.8  -301.7  -269.6  -234.5  -286.0  
                                                
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2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  
Credit 140.8  133.9  197.5  114.6  90.0 120.5  110.4  
Debit 268.4  305.2  370.4  416.3  359.6  355.0  396.4  
Primary income  -22.1 -9.4 2.8 -10.5 -2.6 -1.4 -8.3 
Credit 9.4 16.5 21.7 21.8 24.1 18.2 23.0 
Debit 31.5 25.9 18.9 32.3 26.8 19.6 31.3 
Secondary income  332.4  644.1  672.5  513.4  444.7  340.0  455.2  
Credit 349.4  658.4  697.3  545.5  491.6  391.7  500.2  
Debit 17.1 14.3 24.8 32.0 47.0 51.6 45.0 
Capital  account  121.7  221.7  161.5  126.6  87.3 116.6  136.5  
Credit 142.1  236.9  178.1  136.7  90.4 119.4  139.4  
Debit 20.5 15.2 16.5 10.1 3.0 2.8 3.0 
Financial account  -191.2  -286.7  -294.7  -577.1  -519.3  -419.8  -444.2  
Direct investment  4.2 0.9 -181.3  -126.4  -77.8 -0.03 -0.5 
Portfolio investment  0.0 0.0 -63.0 -87.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Financial derivatives and stock 
options  (net) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Other investments  -202.3  -212.7  -68.3 -360.7  -168.9  -362.1  -469.6  
Special drawing rights  0.0 0.0 0.0 -9.8 -0.4 1.8 17.9 
Reserve assets  6.9 -74.9 17.9 7.0 -272.2  -59.5 25.9 
Errors and omissions  44.8 -140.4  -54.3 -85.7 -19.4 48.9 41.8 
Indicat ors (%)       
 
Current account balance/GDP  -12.7 -10.9 -10.5 -14.5 -13.3 -12.3 -11.4 
Merchandise balance/GDP  -19.2 -24.7 -23.7 -19.3 -17.2 -14.5 -13.4 
Source:  Information provided by the authorities; Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies of Burundi, 
Statistical Yearbook of Burundi 2016 .  
1.22.   Gross external assets, which covered up to four months of imports from 2011 to 2014, fell 
sharply to the point where since 2015, they have c overed only 1.5 to 2.7 months of imports.  
1.23.   The medium -term economic outlook is mixed and depends on the renewal of cooperation with 
the country's  financial partners as well as the climatic vagaries affecting agricultural performance. 
A continued freeze on foreign aid could further undermine GDP growth and jeopardize the progress 
that had been made in the social and rural development areas. On the other hand, stabilization of 
the socio -political situation and renewed cooperation with development partners would brighten the 
economic outlook and open up the prospect of a return to the  kind of growth rates experienced 
before the crisis.  
1.3  Trade and investment performance  
1.3.1   Trends and patterns of trade in goods and services  
1.24.   As a result of the general economic slowdown during the review period, the share in GDP of 
trade in goods and service s, which stood at approximately 44% in 2011, fell in 2017 to about 28%. 
However, a closer look at the trend reveals a certain amount of variability.  
1.25.   Official figures for trade in goods show a downward trend in imports and exports during the 
review period.  Exports (in value terms) began to decline in 2012 with the fall in the prices of 
Burundi's main commodity exports, in particular coffee. Poor harvests in certain years made matters 
worse. The decrease in the value of imports was less significant, and tend ed to vary according to 
the trend in commodity prices (fuel and food).  
1.26.   The overall composition of Burundi's trade has remained unchanged. The country's export 
base remains particularly  narrow and is highly concentrated on a small number of products such as 
gold, agricultural products (in particular coffee, tea and sugar) and other mining products. Mining 
output, which has been plummeting since 2013, was responsible for a sharp fall in e xports in 2017 
(Table  A1.1 and Chart 1.1). Imports consist mainly of food, fuels, transport equipment, textiles, 
cement, medicines and agricultural inputs (Table A1.2 and Chart 1.1).  
1.27.   In terms of destinations, the relative share of Europe (the European Uni on and Switzerland in 
particular) declined considerably, from 30.6% in 2012 to approximately 21.4% in 2017. At the same 
time Africa's share (and in particular the EAC countries) increased from 19.1% to 33.5%, and Asia's 
from 5.1% to 14.4%. In terms of indi vidual countries, the United Arab Emirates remain the 
first destination  for Burundi's exports, in spite of a sharp decline in their share between 2012 
and 2017 (Table A1.3 and Chart 1.2).  WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  1.28.   There were also major changes in the sources of Burundi's imports. A sia, in particular China 
and India whose shares increased considerably between 2012 and 2017, is now the main source of 
imports, followed by Africa and Europe (chiefly the European Union). The other major sources of 
imports are Saudi Arabia, the United Ara b Emirates and Japan (Table A1.4 and Chart  1.2). 
Chart 1.1 Structure of merchandise trade, 2012 and 2017  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations based on data from the UNSD Comtrade Database (SITC Rev.3).  
2012 2017
Exports, including re -exports (f.o.b.)
Other 
agriculture
16.0%
Tea 18.8%Mining and 
quarrying
5.9%
Coffee 23.8%Agriculture
58.6%Manufactured
products
9.4%Gold,
non-monetary
26.0%
Total:   USD 244.8 million Total:   USD 141.7 million
Imports (c.i.f.)
Agriculture  
16.3%Other 
manufactures
62.9%Machinery and 
transport 
equipment
22.6%
Other
semi-
manufactures
11.3%Other
1.9%
Chemicals
13.4%Other manufactured 
articles
9.5%
Iron and steel
6.1%Agricultural raw 
materials
1.2%Food
15.1%
Fuels
18.9%Agriculture  
21.2%Other 
manufactures
57.3%Machinery and 
transport 
equipment
14.9%
Other
semi-manufactures
8.3%Other
1.7%
Chemicals
16.8%Other manufactured 
articles
11.9%
Iron and steel
5.4%
Agricultural raw 
materials
1.8%Food
19.4%
Fuels
19.8%
Total:   USD 798.3 million Total:   USD 725.2 millionOther 
agriculture
4.9%Other
0.2%
Tea 5.9%Mining and 
quarrying
7.8%Coffee 27.2%Agriculture
38.0%Manufactured
products
10.6%Gold,
non-monetary
43.4%WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  Char t 1.2 Direction of trade in goods, 2012 and 2017  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations based on data from the UNSD Comtrade Database.  
1.29.   Burundi  is a net importer of services (Table 1.2). The bulk of such imports relate to freight 
and insurance. Engineering and audit services for major works, particularly in the road building and 
hydro -electricity areas, are also a significant trade item. The smal l income from services trade comes 
from tourism activities.  
1.3.2   FDI trends and structure  
1.30.   The bulk of foreign investment goes to telecommunications, infrastructure construction, and 
activities relating to the tea and coffee sectors. The Government is taking st eps to diversify the 
activities that benefit from FDI by reforming the processing industry. In 2015, it adopted 
2012 2017
Exports, including re -exports (f.o.b.)
Africa
33.5%
Other
3.6%Other African 
countries
6.7%
EU -28
15.9%Uganda 2.7%United Arab 
Emirates
27.1%
Asia
14.4%
Switzerland
5.5%Kenya 2.5%
Egypt  
4.6%
Singapore 3.2%
Other Asian 
countries
2.1%Democratic 
Republic of 
the Congo
17.0%Pakistan 
9.2%
Total:   USD 244.8 million Total:  USD 141.7 million
Imports (c.i.f.)
EU -28
21.0%Saudi Arabia, 
Kingdom of
10.2%
Other 
Asian 
countries
2.0%
America
5.7%Asia
22.8%Africa
31.5%
Other
5.2%India 8.2%Other African 
countries
13.4%
Tanzania
6.6%United Arab 
Emirates
3.6%
Uganda 5.7%
Kenya 5.8%China 9.8%
Japan 2.9%
EU -28
15.0%Saudi Arabia, 
Kingdom of
9.1%
Other Asian 
countries
2.9%
America
3.4%Asia
34.5%
Africa
27.5%
Other
3.2%India  14.2%
Other African 
countries
9.3%
Tanzania
7.3%United Arab 
Emirates
7.2%
Uganda 5.4%
Kenya 5.5%China 
13.8%
Japan 3.5%
Total:   USD 798.3 million Total:   USD 725.2 millionAfrica
19.1%
Other
2.1%Other African 
countries
5.3%
EU -28
16.1%Uganda 2.0%United Arab 
Emirates
43.1%
Asia
5.1%
Switzerland
14.5%Kenya 6.6%
Democratic 
Republic of 
the Congo
5.1%Singapore 
1.2%
Other Asian countries
3.9%WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  Law No. 1/14 of 27 April 2015 establishing the general regime for public -private partnership 
contracts, with high expectations that this will he lp the country to attract FDI.  
1.31.   In spite of the country's major assets, such as its considerable potential for tourism, the 
availability of certain raw materials for the agri -food industries, and the possibility of preferential 
access to the European and A merican markets and within the EAC, the level of FDI is below potential 
because of a business environment hampered by high transaction costs resulting from unreliable 
energy, limited access to finance, high interest rates, and political and macroeconomic u ncertainties.  
1.32.   FDI flows, which were relatively low from 2011 to 2013 with an annual average below 
USD 5 million, increased in 2014 to USD 47 million. This sudden spike appears to be the result of 
significant investment in telecommunications with the estab lishment of the Vietnamese mobile 
telephone company Viettel. However, FDI flows subsided in 2015, returning to their previous level. 
In 2016 and 2017 investments dried up owing to the political crisis and the suspension of 
international cooperation (Table 1.1). WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  2  TRADE AND INVESTMENT  REGIMES  
2.1  General framework  
2.1.  In May 2018, Burundi adopted a new Constitution by referendum. It reproduces most of the 
provisions of the Constitution of February 2005, which proclaims the separation of powers. The 
President of the Republic as well as parliamentarians are elected by dir ect universal suffrage.  
2.2.  A constitutional review took place in 2018. It extended the term of office of the President of 
the Republic from five years to seven years with a term limit of two terms. The current President 
has been in office since 2005, followi ng elections. His term was renewed in 2010. His bid for a 
third term in 2015 was deemed by the opposition to be anti -constitutional and contrary to the spirit 
of the Arusha Peace Agreement, and there resulted a socio -political crisis.  
2.3.  The President of the  Republic is the trustee of national independence, the integrity of the 
territory and the observance of international agreements and treaties. Presidential powers are 
exercised by decrees that are countersigned, where applicable, by the Vice -President and the 
Minister concerned. In the exercise of his or her functions, the President of the Republic is assisted 
by two  Vice-Presidents, appointed by the President pending preliminary approval of their candidature 
by the National Assembly and the Senate. The fir st Vice -President is responsible for coordinating 
political and administrative matters, while the second Vice -President coordinates economic and 
social matters. The Vice -Presidents issue by order all measures required to execute the Presidential 
decrees in  their respective areas of competence. The members of the Government, also appointed 
by the President of the Republic, issue all implementing measures by ordinance.  
2.4.  Parliament, made up of two chambers (the National Assembly and the Senate), exercises 
legislative power and oversees the Government's activities. The National Assembly comprises 
118 members elected by proportional representation for a term of 5 years. The Senate comprises 
49 members elected, also for a term of 5 years, by an electoral college c omposed of members of 
the communal councils. The last legislative elections took place in 2015.  
2.5.  Judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court, which is at the apex of the judicial pyramid, and 
in the courts of appeal and the various other courts and tribu nals. The Constitutional Court is 
responsible for reviewing the constitutionality of laws and regulatory acts. The High Court of Justice 
is empowered to judge the President of the Republic and members of the Government for acts 
deemed to be high treason an d for offences committed in the exercise of their functions. No cases 
have been brought before it to date. Business matters come under the  jurisdiction of the 
Commercial  Court, which has the power to help enforce the provisions of the Commercial Code and 
to rule on any offences relating to the Code.  
2.6.  The Constitution remains the highest ranking law in the country's Legal Order. In the domestic 
hierarchy, it comes before laws, decrees, orders (from the Vice -Presidents) and ordinances (from 
the Ministers). In order to carry out its programme, the Government may request authorization from 
Parliament to take measures that are normally the prerogative of law in the form of decree -laws for 
a limited period. These decree -laws must be ratified by Parliament at its ne xt session. In the absence 
of such ratification, the decree -laws are considered to have lapsed and the Constitutional Court shall 
so rule.  
2.7.  International treaties and agreements are signed by the President or by a minister to whom 
such power has been deleg ated. Once signed, they must be brought before Parliament for 
ratification. The Constitution establishes a monist system that reaffirms the primacy of international 
instruments over Burundi's legal texts, subject to their reciprocal implementation by the p arties.  
2.8.  Generally speaking, policies are formulated and implemented through laws, decrees or 
ordinances. Each ministry is responsible for formulating policies within its sphere of competence and 
for preparing the relevant draft legislation. This is done i n coordination with other ministries that 
may be affected by the measures under consideration.  WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  2.2  Trade policy formulation and objectives  
2.9.  Under the supervision of the second Vice -President, the main function of the ministry 
responsible for trade is to coordi nate technical questions concerning the formulation, evaluation and 
implementation of trade policy, including WTO -related matters and any other trade agreements. 
Other ministries are also involved in formulating and implementing trade policy, in particular  the 
ministry responsible for finance and the ministries responsible for sectoral matters.  
2.10.   Private sector organizations are generally consulted on trade policy formulation, 
implementation and follow -up. In 2008, under the responsibility of the second Vice -President, 
Burundi introduced a Consultative Framework for Dialogue between the Public and Private Sector, a 
discussion forum among domestic economic operators to present the difficulties with which they are 
faced and find solutions through public action.  
2.11.   The Economic and Social Council (CES), as an advisory body, is responsible for all aspects  of 
the country's economic and social development. It may offer advice on all matters brought to its 
attention by the President of the Republic, the Government, the National Assembly, the Senate, or 
any other public institution. It may be consulted on any development or regional and subregional 
integration project. There are a number of laws, ordinances and regulations governing trade policies 
and practices in Burundi (Table 2.1).  
2.12.   Burundi is trying to integrate its trade and investment policy in its develo pment strategies. 
These strategies are essentially guided by Vision Burundi 2025, which derives from the prospective 
national study: Burundi 2025, prepared in 2003. Its main aim is to introduce a diversified production 
sector that is competitive both inter nally and externally as a guarantee of the country's sustainable 
economic development. Burundi has a National Trade and Industrial Development Strategy (SNDIC) 
which aims, among other things, to promote Burundian regional and world economic integration and  
create a business climate conducive to investment, to improved competitiveness and to private 
sector growth. However, the implementation of the strategy remains a challenge for the authorities.  
2.13.   Burundi has considerable export development potential, especi ally in the coffee and tea 
subsectors. It also has significant assets for the development of tourism. The SNDIC has identified 
agro-industry, tourism and mining as priority sectors based on an analysis of their strengths and 
weaknesses.  
 Table 2.1 Main trade laws and regulations, September 2017  
Area  Instrument/text  Date of entry into 
force  
Business activities in 
Burundi (including unfair 
competition and consumer 
protection), competition  Law No. 1 of 16 January 2015 on the Commercial Code  16 January 2015  
Law No. 1/06 of 25 March 2010 on the legal regime for 
competition  25 March 2010  
Law No. 1/14 of 27 April 2015 establishing the general 
regime for public -private partnership contracts  27 April 2015  
Investment guarantees; 
rights and obligations; 
investment regimes  Burundi's new Investment Code  1 January 2009  
Law No. 1/24 of 10 September 2008 on Burundi's 
Investment Code  10 September 2008  
Free zone regime  Law No. 1/ 015 of 31  July 2001 revising Decree Law 
No. 1/3 of 31 August 1992 establishing a free zone 
regime in Burundi. In 2008, this law was incorporated 
into the new Investment Code.  31 July 2001  
Taxes, levies and duties  Law No. 1/12 of 29 July 2013 revising Law No. 1/02 of 
17 February 2009 on the introduction of the value added 
tax (VAT)  29 July 2013  
Ministerial Ordinan ce No. 540/1351 of 
23 September  2013 on measures for the implementation 
of Law No.  1/12 of 29 July 2013 revising Law No. 1/02 of 
February 2000 introducing the value added tax (VAT)  23 September 2013  
Law No. 1/02 of January 2013 on income tax  24 January 2013  
Law No. 1/18 of 6 September 2013 on tax procedures  6 September 2013  WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  Area  Instrument/text  Date of entry into 
force  
Amendment of certain provisions relating to earned 
income tax or occupational tax. Amendment of certain 
provisions relating to the tax on income from moveable 
capital assets or moveable property tax. Revision of  
Law No. 1/011 of 30  December  1998 establish ing a fixed 
levy on certain taxes  13 March 2001  
Customs legislation  Law No. 1/02 of 11  January  2007 establishing the 
Customs Code  11 January 2007  
Intellectual Property 
(Copyright)  Law No. 1/021 of 30  December  2005 on protection of 
copyright and related rights  30 December 2005  
Law No. 1/13 of 28  July 2009 on industrial property in 
Burundi  28 July 2009  
Labour Code  Decree -Law No. 1/ 037 of 7 July 1993 revising Burundi's 
Labour Code  7 July 1993  
Phytosanitary legislation  Decree -Law No. 1/033 of 30 June 1993 on plant 
protection in Burundi  30 June 1993  
State -owned enterprise 
privatization programme  Law No. 1/09 of 30  May 2011 establishing the Code on 
Private and State -Invested Enterprises  30 May 2011  
Law No. 1/07 of 10  September  2002 revising the Law on 
the organization of privatization of State -owned 
enterprises  10 September 2002  
Law No. 1/01 of 4  February  2008 on Burundi's 
Government Procurement Code  
Law on bankruptcy and companies in difficulty  
Law on court -approved arrangements  4 February 2008  
Order No. 120/vp2/027 of 31 January 2013 on the 
establishment, organization and operation of the single 
window for business start -ups in Burundi  31 January 2013  
Source:  Information supplied by the Burundian authorities.  
2.3  Trade agreements and arrangements  
2.3.1   WTO  
2.14.   Burundi is an original Member of the WTO. It grants at least most -favoured -nation (MFN) 
treatment to all its trading partners. It is not a signatory to any plurilateral agreement negotiated 
within the WTO framework and did not take part in the WTO negotiations on basic 
telecommunications or in those on financial services. The concessions made by Burundi at the 
conclusion of the Uruguay Round are contained in Schedule LV as regards goods and in 
document  GATS/SC/116 as regards services. Burundi has not been involved in any dispute under 
the WTO dispute settlement mechanism, whether as a complainant, a respondent or a third party.  
2.15.   Burundi notified very few trade measures to the WTO during the review p eriod. Its 
notifications submitted between 2012 and 2017 are listed in the table below (Table 2.2).  
Table 2.2 Notifications submitted to the WTO between 1 January 2012 and 31 March 2018  
Agreement and 
article  Requirement  Frequency  Document (most 
recent if submitted 
regularly)  Date  
Agreement on Trade Facilitation  
Article  3, Section  II Category  A commitments  Once only  WT/PCTF/N/BDI/1  1/5/2015  
Agreement on Agriculture  
Articles 10 and 18.2, 
ES:1 Export subsidies  On an annual 
basis G/AG/N/BDI/8  7/4/2017  
G/AG/N/BDI/7  28/3/2013  
Article 18.2  
DS:1 Domestic support  On an annual 
basis (or longer 
for developing and 
least developed 
country Members)  G/AG/N/BDI/9  10/4/2017  
G/AG/N/BDI/6  28/10/2013  WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  Agreement and 
article  Requirement  Frequency  Document (most 
recent if submitted 
regularly)  Date  
State trading  
Article XVII:4(a) of 
the GATT 1994 and 
paragraph 1 of the 
Understanding on 
the Interpretation of 
Article XVII  New and full notification 
of state trading 
enterprises  On an annual 
basis G/STR/N/16/BDI  21/4/2017  
Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  
Article 7, Annex B  Sanitary/phytosanitary 
regulations  Ad hoc  G/SPS/N/BDI/1 - 
G/SPS/N/BDI/5  13/2/2014 - 
19/7/2016  
Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade  
Article 15.2  Administrative 
arrangements; 
laws/regulations  Ad hoc  G/TBT/N/2/Add.18  25/7/2016  
G/TBT/N/2  8/11/1995  
Article 2.9  Technical regulations  Ad hoc  G/TBT/N/BDI/1 - 
G/TBT/N/BDI/3  13/11/2013 -
18/12/2017  
Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures  
Article 7.3  Replies to questionnaire  On an annual 
basis G/LIC/N/3/BDI/3  12/4/2017  
Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures  
Article 25.1 – 
Article  XVI:1  Subsidies  Annual (tri -annual 
for full 
notifications and 
annual for 
changes)  G/SCM/N/284/BDI; 
G/SCM/N/315/BDI  18/4/2017  
G/SCM/N/220/BDI; 
G/SCM/N/253/BDI  29/10/2013  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
2.3.2   Regional and preferential agreements  
2.16.   Apart from the EAC, Burundi is also a member of the Economic Community of 
Central  African  States (ECCAS) and the Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (ECGLC). 
Within the EAC, Burundi has been negotiating an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). It also 
belongs to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), of which it implements 
the trade c omponent. In addition to the EAC and COMESA trade preferences, Burundi is granted 
preferential treatment by the European Union and the United States (common report, Section  2). 
2.17.   Burundi participates in the negotiations for the establishment of a tripartite free trade area 
(FTA) bringing together the EAC, COMESA and the Southern African Development Community 
(SADC), as well as in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for which it has not yet 
signed the agreement.  
2.18.   A trade and economic cooperation ag reement has been in force between Burundi and Turkey 
since 2015. It aims to promote trade partnerships between the companies and economic institutions 
of the two  countries.  
2.4  Investment regime  
2.4.1   Overview  
2.19.   Because of its high transaction costs, the Burundian economy is having trouble attracting the 
investment needed for sustainable economic growth. Although efforts have been made over the past 
few years, including the adoption of a legislative framework gran ting tax and customs concessions 
to certain companies, a number of bottlenecks continue to undermine the country's competitiveness 
and attractiveness. In addition to the political uncertainty which causes investors to be on their 
guard, other factors, such  as the difficulty and high cost of accessing capital, the problem of ensuring 
reliable access to energy, and the lack of predictability of the legal framework for business tend to 
discourage investment flows into Burundi.  WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  2.20.   The Burundian authorities recogni ze that the promotion of domestic and foreign investment 
and private sector development are the engines of economic growth. Accordingly, the Government 
has made efforts over the past few years to promote industrial development, including the 
establishment of reliable sources of energy by building hydroelectric power plants, and to establish 
strategic development plans in the main sectors of the economy.  
2.21.   According to the authorities, most of the texts relating to the business climate are being 
reviewed in or der to promote investment and the development of a private sector that can help to 
support long -term economic growth and create decent jobs.  
2.22.   The World Bank report "Doing Business 2018" ranks Burundi 164th out of 190 in terms of ease 
of doing business, i.e.  seven places lower than in 2017. This decline also applies to the ease of 
starting a business, where Burundi has dropped from 18th place out of 190 in 2017 to 42nd in 2018.  
2.23.   The basic legal framework for investment in Burundi remains the 2009 Investment  Code and 
the Law defining the advantages granted under the Code.1 Besides, there are concessions under 
specific regimes, such as the Mining Code and the regime for oil prospecting and exploration. The 
Investment  Code defines the overall framework and the gua rantees given to investors in Burundi. 
It guarantees identical treatment of nationals and foreigners.  
2.24.   The Code further confirms the benefits granted under the free zone regime. Indeed, the Law 
of July  2001 o n the creation of a free zone determines the bene fits available to enterprises that meet 
the eligibility criteria (Section  2.4.2).  
2.25.   The Commercial Code, in force since 20102, contains the legal framework governing 
companies and judicial reorganization procedures.  
2.26.   Companies are eligible for the benefits un der the Code provided they contribute to  meeting 
the following objectives:  
• creation of domestic jobs and training of a qualified local labour force;  
• creation, extension, diversification and modernization of industrial, agricultural/forestry/  
livestock -farming, and services infrastructure;  
• encouragement of investment in exporting industries and the sectors of the economy that use 
local materials and other local products;  
• creation of small and medium -sized enterprises and the development of micro -enterpri ses; 
• transfer of necessary and appropriate technologies;  
• diversification of the export sectors;  
• use of locally produced raw materials, inter alia by stimulating the production of goods and 
services intended for the domestic market;  
• creation of backward and  forward linkages in the economy;  
• investment in settlements located at a distance from urban centres fixed by order of the 
Ministry in charge of finance;  
• rehabilitation and  expansion of enterprises.  
                                                
1 Law N o. 1/24 of 10  September  2008 on the Investment Code and Law No.  1/23 of 24  September  2009 
establishing the tax concessions under the Investment Code.  
2 Law No. 1/07 of 26  April 2010 as amended by Law No. 1/01 of 16  January  2017.  WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  2.27.   In addition to the conditions listed above, in order to b e eligible for the benefits granted under 
the Investment  Code, enterprises must:  
• present  an investment project that is profitable and feasible in time and space;  
• submit a complete application file;  
• invest in what the G overnment deem s to be a priority sector;  
• pay the application fee3; 
• undertake to protect the environment and conduct an environmental impact study (where 
needed) to obtain an environmental compliance certificate provided by the Ministry in charge 
of environment protection; and  
• respect the land management schemes.  
2.28.   If the enterprise is located in Bujumbura or within a radius of 20 km thereof, it must prove 
that it has the capacity to invest at least BIF 100 million in the first year and to create at least 
10 permanent jobs for Burundians. If the enterprise is located more than 20 km from Bujumbura, it 
must prove that it has the capacity to invest at least BIF 50 million in the first year and to create at 
least five permanent jobs for Burundians. At least half of the professional staff must be Burundian 
in both cases.  
2.29.   The Code offers the following concessions: exemption from conveyance duty on the purchase 
of real estate or land essential for making the investment and for its operation; exemption from 
customs duties on raw materials and equipme nt and on special vehicles; countervailing duty rates 
reduced to 5% (instead of 10% or 25%) on semi -finished or finished products used to carry out the 
investment project; and 2% or 5% reduction in the profit tax ( against  the standard rate of 30%). 
For inv estment projects that are "strategic" for Burundi, the Investment Promotion Agency (API) in 
conjunction with the Burundi Revenue Office (OBR) may propose that the Ministry of Finance grant 
additional tax and customs concessions as an exception; and a 2% re duction in profits tax may be 
granted if the project employs between 50 and 200 Burundian workers , and a 5% reduction if it 
employs more than 200 Burundian workers.  
2.30.   The API was created in 2009 and placed under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance, 
Budget and Economic Development Cooperation. Its main function is to promote investment and 
exports in Burundi, and in particular, to keep investors informed on all matters relating to investment 
promotion and exports;  to provide general assistance and supp ort to investors in general and 
exporters in particular, especially in obtaining documents and/or carrying out the formalities required 
by the law; to devise  reforms needed to improve the business climate; and to engag e the 
administrative authorities in th e event of failure to implement , or to properly implement , any law or 
regulation relating to investment and export promotion. The API is responsible for making a 
recommendation, inter alia , on whether or not the investment project is a priority, the regime  under 
which the enterprise is eligible , and the benefits to be granted.  
2.31.   The procedures for an enterprise to benefit from the incentives under the Code have not 
changed substantially since the last review: a pre -investment study highlighting the legal, ec onomic 
and technical features of the project must be deposited with the API, which has created a unit 
responsible for ensuring compliance with the technical specifications. Periodic reports are issued, 
and if the requirements are not met, the OBR is respon sible for applying the relevant penalties.  
2.32.   An investor is free to choose between domestic or international institutional arbitration in 
order to settle a dispute. Burundi is a member of the World Bank's Multilateral Investment Guarantee 
Agency (MIGA) and has also signed the Convention Establishing the International Centre for the 
Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).  
                                                
3 The list of applications and of the sectors considered to have priority are available on the Investment 
Promotion Agency website: http://www.investburundi.bi/index.php/incitation -a-l-investissement/procedures -d-
enregistrement -de-projet . WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  2.33.   Burundi has signed Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (IPPAs) with 
Germany  (1984), Belgium and Luxembourg (1989), and the U nited Kingdom (1990). 
The agreements with the Comoros (2001), Kenya (2009), Mauritius (2001) and the 
Netherlands  (2007) have not yet entered into force.  
2.4.2   Free zone  regime  
2.34.   The free zone regime is regulated by Law No. 1/015 of 31 July 2001 on the creation of  a free 
zone regime in Burundi. It provides for four types of free zone enterprise: agricultural and livestock 
enterprises; industrial and craft enterprises; trading companies; and service companies. Some 
activities do not qualify for the free zone regime:  trade in precious metals and mineral ores; 
exploration, mining, enrichment, refining, buying and selling of mineral ores; and coffee -related 
activities. The eligibility criteria depend on the type of enterprise: the agriculture and livestock as 
well as th e industrial and craft free zone enterprises are required to export all their production and 
generate a "substantial" value added (at least 35%), while the commercial enterprises are required 
to import and re -export imported goods in an unaltered state or after packaging. The services 
companies eligible for free zone status are those intending to provide one or more of the following 
services: assembly of computer equipment; software manufacture; packaging for export; printing 
and publishing; production and distribution of cinematographic films; sound recordings; and tour 
operator services.  
2.35.   Both foreign and domestic investors may obtain free zone status. An advisory commission set 
up by the Ministry responsible for trade and industry is in charge of free zon e enterprises. 
The concessions granted are of a tax or customs nature.  
2.36.   The tax concessions consist of total exemption from indirect taxes, from registration fees and 
stamp duty, and total exemption from profits tax for the first ten years of operation, fo llowed by a 
regime in which the taxation rate is reduced to 15% instead of the standard 30%. Any free zone 
enterprise that has created more than 100 permanent jobs for Burundian nationals is subject to a 
10% profits tax , and any free zone enterprise that reinvests at least 25% of the profits earned over 
the previous ten years of its existence pays 10% less than the standard rate. Free zone trading 
companies pay a 1% turnover tax, which is lowered to 0.8% if the company creates more than 
20 permanent jobs. T he dividends distributed to shareholders are exempt from all taxes during the 
lifetime of the company. Free zone enterprises are also exempt from the 3% tax on the wages of 
foreign workers.  
2.37.   The following customs concessions are granted to free zone enterp rises: exemption from all 
present or future duties on imports of raw materials, intermediate products, ancillaries and capital 
goods; outside -quota exports; and exemption from any present or future export duties.  
2.38.   The following are the main obligations of free zone enterprises: to train Burundian staff and 
to give priority, where qualifications are equivalent, to  recruiting Burundian nationals;  to produce 
goods or services exclusively for export; and to submit to the Minister responsible for foreign trade, 
at the end of each year, a report showing the implementation status of the commitments 
undertaken. Foreign investors are required to pay  a 2% tax on the total amount of their investments 
to the National Treasury. Capital goods imported duty free may not be  moved from the place 
approved by the Minister without written authorization. Finished goods produced by the company 
and raw materials, intermediate products and ancillaries imported duty free may only be moved for 
the purposes of export, re -export or sale  on the domestic market. In the latter case, authorization 
from the Minister responsible for trade and industry is necessary and sales in the customs territory 
may not exceed 10% of output. Such sales are subject to the normal customs regime, in other word s 
they are treated as imports.  
2.39.   The overall performance of free zone enterprises to date has been very uneven. Since the 
free zone was set up, 45 enterprises have been approved, mainly in the fruit, vegetables, flowers 
and ornamental plants subsectors. However, in 2018 only five enterprises are operating under this 
regime (of which three are still at the investment stage), and the overall value of their exports 
remains low.WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  3  TRADE POLICIES AND P RACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.1  Measures directly affecting imports  
3.1.1   Customs procedures, valuation and requirements  
3.1.  Importer registration requirements, which have not changed sin ce Burundi 's last Trade Policy 
Review, are regulated by Law No. 1/07 of 26 April 2010 on the Commercial Code, as amended by 
Law No. 1/01 of 16 January 2015. Under this legislation, any natural or legal person, irrespective of 
nationality, is free to import  authorized products.  
3.2.  Any economic operator  regularly engage d in import activities must apply to the Single Window 
for business start -ups (within the API) for a tax identification number and a registration number in 
the commercial register. This procedure costs BIF 40,000. The Single Window  brings together the 
services of the Commercial Court, the API and the Burundi Revenue Office (OBR).  
3.3.  Under the 2010 foreign -exchange regulations, all imports of goods require a declaration of the 
intention to import (DII)  endorsed by a  commercial bank before the goods are shipped. This must 
be endorsed in advance by the preshipment inspection company, namely Société Générale 
de Surveillance (SGS), upon presentation in five copies of the form providing contact details of th e 
trader, the itemized pro-forma  invoices for the goods, the pro-forma  transport invoices, and 
certificates of insurance for the goods to be paid for with foreign currency. Transport insurance is 
mandatory for imports valued at over BIF 15 million, and must be taken out with a local insurance 
company, unless a waiver is obtained from the Bank of the Republic of Burundi ( BRB). Based on the 
DII, commercial banks are then authorized to allocate an amount in cash determined in accordance 
with the exchange r egulations.  
3.4.  The preshipment inspection system is designed to enforce the mandatory standards for certain 
goods. The importer is charged an administration fee (Section 3.3.2). The SGS is mandated by the 
Government to perform the preshipment inspection of th e goods on Burundi 's behalf. Any product 
subject to the verification programme must be accompanied by a certificate of conformity, which is 
required to clear customs in Burundi. Customs clearance of imported goods without prior inspection 
before embarkatio n and/or without documentary control is punishable by a fine.  
3.5.  The OBR is responsible for customs procedures, as well as for the collection, record -keeping 
and administration of all taxes collected by the State, including customs duties, excise duties and 
VAT on imports. Import procedures are regulated by the Community Customs Code. Importers are 
required to clear their goods through a customs broker. A BIF 50 million bond is required for customs 
clearance alone and one of BIF 100 million for customs clearan ce and transit. For all operations, 
forwarding agents must also post a bond to cover all taxes and duties payable. The customs broker 
receives a commission for services as negotiated with the importer.  
3.6.  Burundi's customs procedures have remained basically u nchanged since the last review of its 
trade policy. Nonetheless, efforts are under way to further modernize customs clearance procedures, 
including information gathering with a view to setting up a single window  for international trade, a 
pilot phase prior  to adopting an electronic payment system and improvement of risk management. 
Since 11 May 2013, the OBR has migrated to the ASYCUDA WORLD system to process customs 
declarations. As a general rule, the following documents are required for the customs decla ration: 
bill of lading, commercial invoice, certificate of origin in the case of goods eligible for preferential 
treatment, packing list, customs declaration, and consignment  note. A certificate issued by the 
preshipment inspection company is also required . Customs authorities may ask the importer to 
provide other supporting documents . 
3.7.  In principle, customs declarations are processed using a risk management method that 
provides for three channel s: a red channel  (high risk), requiring a physical inspection o f both 
documents and goods before customs clearance; a yellow channel  (medium risk), requiring 
inspection  of the documents ; and a green channel  (low risk) for customs clearance without the need 
for inspection. The key factors taken into account in the risk  assessment are: value issues (goods 
that are typically  undervalued in declarations); the type of product imported; country of origin; fiscal 
issues (goods subject to high duties); and significant  fluctuations in the quantity of goods imported. 
However , the authorities reported that the risk management system has yet  to be implemented WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  effectively. As a result, most goods continue to undergo physical checks, regardless of the risk level 
involved.  
3.8.  Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) status is established in Bu rundi under the provisions of 
the EAC Customs Code. This grants a special status to importers, exporters and customs brokers 
who have proven to be reliable partners and respectful of OBR rules. To be recognized as an AEO, 
the part ners in question must have , inter alia, a satisfactory system for handling commercial 
paperwork, proven financial and security capacities and a thorough knowledge of the customs 
procedures in force in Burundi. An application form for importers, exporters and customs brokers is 
available on the OBR website.  
3.9.  In 2014, the OBR introduced  a system that makes it possible to electronically track movements 
of trucks carrying goods, either in transit or bound for Burundi, in real time. As soon as a truck 
arrives at the border, an OBR agent a ffixes a tag enabling it to be tracked (from the OBR office), 
including identification of any unusual stops, unauthorized detours, or removal of the tag.1 
3.10.   Burundi has not notified the WTO of its customs valuation legislation. Nonetheless, in 
principle, customs valuation is based on Annex 4 of the EAC Customs Code. According to the 
authorities, the provisions in question are aligned with those of the WTO Cust oms Valuation 
Agreement. However , the country continues to encounter implementation problem s. The common 
problem in the area of customs valuation is the lack of capacity to detect under -valuations, which 
seem to be common.  
3.11.   Burundi has not yet ratified the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation, but it has notified its 
Category  A measures.  
3.12.   Under the EAC Customs Code (Chapter XX), aggrieved i mporter s or any other authorized 
person may appeal  to the Customs and Excise Commissioner within 30 days of the notifi cation of a 
decision. If the person is not satisfied with the outcome, a further appeal may be made to the 
national courts within 45 days of notification of the Commissioner's ruling.  
3.1.2   Rules of origin  
3.13.   Burundi's most recent notifications to the WTO on rules of origin date from 2001. These state 
that Burundi does not have non -preferential rules of origin.2 
3.14.   It does, however, apply preferential rules of origin under its participation in COMESA and the 
EAC (Common Report, S ections 2 and  3). 
3.1.3   Customs duties  
3.15.   Since 2 009, Burundi has been applying the EAC 's Common External Tariff (CET) 
(Common  Report, Section 3).  
3.16.   The Community Customs Code provides for other duties and charges applicable  to imports, 
such as fees for overtime and cautionary visits, licence fees, and fees for services to the public 
(Common Report, Table 3.6). According to the  authorities , Burundi applies these fees and charges.  
3.17.   In addition to other community duties and taxes, Burundi imposes levies such as 
administrative fees at a rate of 0.5 % on the c.i. f. value of all imports, the security charge at a rate 
of 1.15 % on the c.i.f. value , and a pollution tax of BIF 2 million per vehicle on all vehicles that are 
more than ten years old.  
3.18.   Burundi's tariff bindings cover 22.4 % of all of its tariff lines. All ta riff lines for agricultural 
products (WTO definition) have been bound at a ceiling of 100 %, with the exception of some 6 % of 
lines bound previously at rates ranging from 0 % to 20%. Only 10 % of tariff lines for non -agricultural 
products have been bound: at 24.2% for textiles and clothing; 20.2 % for leather, rubber and 
                                                
1 Online information . Viewed at: https://www.obr.bi/index.php/operations -douanieres . 
2 WTO documents G/RO/N/33 , 2 May 2001 and G/RO/N/34 , 13 June 2001.  WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  footwear; and 11.2 % for transport equipment. For 429 lines, the applied rates are higher than the 
bound rates.  
3.19.   Burundi has bound other import duties and charges at 30 %. 
3.1.4   Other taxes on imports  
3.20.   Value added tax (VAT), introduced in Burundi in 2009, is charged at a standard rate of 18 % 
on most goods and services, including imports.3 Law No. 1/12 of 29 July 2013 introduced a lower 
rate of 10 % on foodstuffs, and agricultural products and inputs. Exports are also zero -rated. The 
Law provides a relatively short list of goods that are VAT exempt (whether imported or locally 
produced). These include: financial transactions; certain real estate transactions; imports an d 
supplies of medicines, pharmaceuticals, equipment and specialized products for medical activities; 
supplies of agricultural products not processed by their producers; supplies of postage stamps, 
revenue  stamps and the like ; imports of goods exempted from  customs duties; and international 
travel fares.  
3.21.   Whereas VAT on imports is calculated on the basis of the c.i.f. price plus import duties , the 
tax base for local products is the selling or assignment  price.  
3.22.   Goods subject to e xcise duties include fuel, suga r, tobacco products, alcoholic beverages and 
carbonated beverages. The rates of these duties (specific and ad valorem ) are identical for both 
imports and products of domestic origin (Table 3.1 ). 
Table 3.1 List of products subject to excise duties, and applied rates (2018)  
Product  Applied rates  
Beer BIF 39,600 per hl (except for 
beers produced with 100% local 
raw materials)  
Beers produced with 100% local raw materials  BIF 12,030 per hl  
Lemonade, soda, fruit juice and other soft drinks not listed in this article  BIF 30,000 per hl  
Wine of any category  BIF 125 per litre  
Alcohol, liqu eurs and other drinks: HS tariff headings between 22082000 
and 220890300  BIF 125 per litre  
Sugar  BIF 600 per kg  
Fuel and lubricants  BIF 210 per litre  
Wine and spirits  80% 
Mineral and aerated water s, whether or not flavoured  13% 
Subscription or purchase of TV and radio recharge cards  12% 
Consumption tax on vehicles included under CET heading 87.03 except 
ambulances, priso n vans and hearses, at the following rates:   
For vehicles with spark ignition reciprocating piston engines, and cylinder 
capacity of:   
Less than or equal to 1,500 cc  5% 
Between 1,501 and 3,000cc  10% 
Greater than 3,000cc  15% 
For motor vehicles, with compression ignition (diesel or semi -diesel), 
and cylinder capacity of:   
Less than or equal to 1,500cc  5% 
Between 1,501 and 2,500cc  10% 
Greater than 2,500cc  15% 
Other vehicles included under this tariff heading  15% 
Source:  2018 Budget Law.  
3.1.5   Duty and tax concessions  
3.23.   The duty and tax exemptions and concessions regime has not changed since the last review. 
Burundi grants duty and tax exemptions under the regimes set out  in the EAC customs legislation 
which specifies the list of benefiting imported goods (Common Report, Section 3.1.5).  
                                                
3 Law No. 1/02 of 17 February 2009 establishing value added tax.  WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  3.24.   In addition, exemptions from customs duties and taxes continue to be granted to firms 
approved  under the Tax and Investment Codes, the 1988 Export Promotion Law  and the 
Mining  Code.  
3.25.   The total value of exemptions granted increased during the review period, from BIF 101 billion 
in 2011 to BIF 157 billion in 2017, despite a sudden steep drop in 2016 ( BIF 89 billion).  
3.1.6   Import prohibitions, quantitative restrictions and licensing  
3.26.   The import  prohibition and licensing regime is regulated largely by the Community Customs 
Code. Goods are classified in two categories, prohibited and restricted. In the latter case, importation 
must be approved by the competent authorities (Common Report, Section 3 .1). 
3.27.   In addition, a phytosanitary certificate is required for imports of seeds and plants. A certificate 
from the Burundian Standardization and Quality Control Bureau  (BBN) is required to import food, 
agricultural chemicals, plants, pharmaceuticals, explos ives, and articles subject to restrictions under 
international conventions.  
3.28.   According to its 2017 notification under the WTO Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures, 
Burundi does not maintain a licensing system to administer  quantitative restrictions; an import 
declaration is apparently required for statistical monitoring purposes and to ensure regular supply.4 
3.1.7   Anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard measures  
3.29.   Since its last review, Burundi has made no major changes to its regime on contingency 
measures.  It has never applied anti -dumping, countervailing or safeguard measures. The legal basis 
for such measures is contained in the provisions of the EAC Customs Code.  
3.1.8   Other measures affecting imports  
3.30.   Burundi applies the trade sanctions adopted by  the United N ations or regional organizations 
to which it belongs . It does not participate in countertrade and has no t signed any agreements with 
governments or foreign firms to influence the quantity or value of goods and services exported to 
its market. There are no buffer stocks or national content requirements.  
3.2  Measures directly affecting exports  
3.2.1   Customs procedures and requirements  
3.31.   The registration formalities required to import goods for commercial purposes are also 
applicable to exports (Section 3.1). The same is true of customs clearance procedures. Moreover, 
any export must be the subject of a customs declaration.  
3.32.   According to the authorities, an export licence is required for statistical and exchange control 
purposes. All exporters are required to repatriate exp ort earnings to a foreign -currency account 
opened at a resident commercial bank.  
3.2.2   Taxes, charges and levies  
3.33.   Special rate export duties (80 % of the f.o.b. value, or US D 0.52 per kilogram) are collected 
on raw hides. The BRB collects a charge of 0.7 % on the value of gold exports. In addition, the OBR 
and BRB levy export duties at rates of 1 % and 3 %, respectively, on exports of the following minerals: 
wolframite, colombo -tantalite, cassiterite and coltan.  
                                                
4 WTO d ocument G/LIC/N/3/BDI/3 , 12 April 2017.  WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  3.2.3   Export prohibitions, restrictions and licensing  
3.34.   Burundi maintains a ban on exports of coffee cherries. In addition, as a party to the 
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), it bans 
the exportation of plants and animals listed as endangered species.  
3.35.   Sugar exports are subject to a quota that varies according to  local demand. The quota is 
managed through Société Sucrière du Moso  (SOSUMO), a firm that holds a de facto  monopoly over 
sugar production. The Government specifies the amount of sugar to be sold to distributors in each 
region based on their demand estimates and the price of sugar on the market. During the review 
period, SOSUMO exported sugar only in 2012 (2,015 tonnes) and in 2017 (4,600 tonnes).  
3.36.   Export restrictions are administered in accordance wit h the Community Customs Code 
(Common Report, Section 3.2.3).  
3.2.4   Export support and promotion  
3.37.   Burundi's latest notifications under Article XVI:1 of the GATT 1994 and under Article 25 of the 
Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures date from 2013 and 2017, respectively. They 
reported the absence of export subsidies in Burundi5, and stated that the main export promotion 
instruments were the incentives described in the customs legislation , the Export Promotion Law of 
1988 and the Free Zone Law (Section 2 ). 
3.38.   The 1988 Export Promotion Law abolished all export taxes. In addition, enterprise s exporting 
non-traditional products were granted a preferential rate equal to half the ordinary tax rate charged 
on profits earned in a given financial year. They are also  eligible for  drawback at 10 % of turnover, 
which allows the refund of customs duties and other taxes on packaging items and inputs used to  
manufacture the goods exported.  
3.39.   The API has an export promotion service which, in coordination with the Ministry resp onsible 
for trade, organizes or finances participation in market -prospecting trips or international trade fairs.  
3.40.   Burundi has no export guarantee or insurance mechanism.  
3.3  Measures affecting production and trade  
3.3.1   Incentives  
3.41.   Burundi grants duty and tax reductions and exemptions under its Investment Code and 
free zone regime , as well as under certain sector -specific regimes ( e.g. the Mining  Code and the 
Petroleum Code) (Section 4).  
3.3.2   Standards and other technical regulations  
3.42.   Standardization, testing and cer tification remain the responsibility of the Burundian 
Standardization and Quality Control Bureau (BBN), a government body with its own legal status and 
financial autonomy. Since 2006, Burundi has accepted the WTO Code of Good Practice for the 
Preparation, Adoption, and Application of Standards.6 
3.43.   The BBN is a correspondent member of the International Organization for Standardization 
(ISO)7, and has been notified as Burundi 's enquiry point under the WTO Agreement on Technical 
Barriers to Trade (TBT). Burundi is neither a member of the International Electrotechnical 
Commission (IEC) nor part of the African Regional Organization for Standardization (ARSO).  
                                                
5 WTO documents G/SCM/N/220/BDI, G/SCM/N/253/BDI , 29 October 2013; and G/SCM/N/284/BDI, 
G/SCM/N/315/BDI , 18 April 2017.  
6 WTO document G/TBT/CS/2/Rev.12 , 17 February 2006.  
7 Correspondent members are allowed to atten d ISO technical and political meetings as observers.  WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  3.44.   The BBN 's main role in the process of developing standards is to prepare working papers, 
convene meetings o f the technical committees, develop draft standards for public comment, and 
publish the standards and enforce them.  
3.45.   The standardization and quality control system is regulated by Law No. 1/03 of 
4 January  2011 on the national standardization system, metrol ogy, quality assurance and testing; 
Decree No. 100/092 of 29 August 2001 on the statutes of the Burundian Standardization and Quality 
Control Bureau (BBN)8; Ordinance No. 750/1582 of 6 November 2013 on the statu s of and procedure 
for drafting national standards; Ordinance No. 750/1583 of 6 November 2013 determining the legal 
units of measurement system; and Ordinance No. 750/1584 of 6 November  2013 establish ing 
requirements for the verification of instruments or measuring and weighing appar atus in legal 
metrology.  
3.46.   In principle, a standardization initiative can originate from the public authorities, or else from 
consumer s' associations, producers or the BBN. Upon receipt of a request for the introduction of a 
standard, the BBN sends the appli cation file t o the relevant technical committee. In 2018, there 
were six technical committees, covering the areas of food, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, 
information and communication technology, electrotechnical engineering, chemistry and the 
environment. Technical committees are responsible for developing standards. Draft standards are 
subjected to a public inquiry to garner amendments from stakeholders. Following this phase, the 
technical committees adopt the draft standards. Lastly, an Ordin ance issued by the Minister 
responsible for industry publishes the standard in the Official Journal.  
3.47.   The bulk of the BBN's standardization activities involve adopting ISO or EAC standards as 
national s tandards . When an EAC standard is adopted, any national  standard having the same 
purpose is cancelled.  
3.48.   Once adopted, Burundian standards apply equally to any person, whether national or foreign, 
carrying on an economic activity in national territory. By A ugust 2018, more than 
1,000  EAC standards had been adopt ed as Burundian standards.9 
3.49.   A Burundian standard may be made compulsory through an Ordinance issued by the Minister 
responsible for industry within his/her jurisdiction. On the recommendation of the BBN Board of 
Directors, the Minister may make a standard wholly or partly mandatory  in Burundi (technical 
regulation). The mandatory  application of a standard must pursue one or more of the following aims: 
to prevent misleading or fraudulent practices; to protect human safety and health; to protect the 
health an d life of wild flora or fauna ; or to protect the environment.  
3.50.   The Board of Directors must ensure that making the standard mandatory  is the most effective 
way to solve a particular problem, and that national legislation and administrative and technical 
infrastructure allow for mandatory  application of the standard. In principle, the WTO Secretariat 
must be notified p ursuant to the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), and the 
EAC Secretariat and member countries in accordance with current procedure s. 
3.51.   Before making a standard mandatory , the Minister may publish his/her intention to do so in 
the Official Journal  of Burundi and in at least one national newspaper. The information provided must 
include the reference and full title of the standard, state the reasons for which it is being made 
mandatory , specify the address at which the standard in question may be consulted or obtained, 
and invite any stakeholder to submit an objection in writing to the BBN Board of Directors  within 
90 days.  
3.52.   A standard cann ot be made mandatory  until everyone that has submitted an objection has 
either been heard or has waived their objection. In 2014, there were some 227 technical regulations 
in force in Burundi, covering food products, chemicals, mechanical and electrical pr oducts, textiles 
                                                
8 WTO documents G/SPS/GEN/1308/Rev.1 and G/TBT/GEN/162/Rev.1 , 28 February 2014.  
9 Online information from the BBN . Viewed at: 
http://bbnburundi.org/Documents/listofnationalstandardsadopted.pdf . WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  and consumer goods, as well as construction and related products.10 However , few of these 
measures have been notified to the WTO (Table 2.2).  
3.53.   A legal metrology system operates in Burundi, based on three laboratories, specializing in the 
control of mass, volume and temperature, respectively. In 2013, the BBN metrology department 
was equipped by the German Institute of Metrology (PTB).  
3.54.   In 2014, a programme for checking compliance with preshipment standards was put in place 
to make sure importe d products conform to standards that are mandatory  in Burundi.  
3.55.   The programme includes physical inspection, product testing in accredited laboratories, 
quality control of production processes ( where  applicable) and document ary review. The programme 
has not yet been notified to the WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade.  
3.56.   The merchandise conformity verification programme is applicable to all products that may be 
imported into Burundi.11 Any product subject to the verification programme must be accompanied  
by a certificate of conformity, which is compulsory for customs clearance in Burundi. If the goods do 
not meet the requirements, a non -conformity report is issued to the exporter, and the goods are not 
allowed to be imported into the country.  
3.57.   The certific ation procedure has three lanes, according to the profile of the trader; and the 
exporter must pay fees for the physical inspection and document ary review (Table 3.2). Sampling 
and testing fees are determined by agents conducting the pre -export verificatio n of conformity 
process (P VoC) on a case -by-case basis. Any goods subject to PVoC arriving at the port of entry 
without a certificate of conformity are charged a destination inspection fee of 15 % of their 
c.i.f. value.  
Table 3.2 Fees for preshipment product conformity verification  
Routes  Description  % of f.o.b. 
value  Fees (USD)  
Minimum  Maximum  
A Applicable to all suppliers/manufacturers that do not 
make regular shipments and to sensitive products 
that require regular control of quality and 
conformity with standards  0.50 235 2,375  
B Applicable to all suppliers/manufacturers with 
regular shipments  and registered products  0.45 235 2,375  
C Applicable to manufacturers only  0.25 235 2,375  
Source:  Online information from the SGS. Viewed at: http://www.sgsgroup.com.cn/ -
/media/global/documents/technical -documents/technical -datasheets/sgs -gis-pca-burundi -datasheet -
a4-fr-15-v5.pdf . 
3.58.   To obtain the certificate of conformity, the goods must undergo a combination of the following 
processes: a physical inspection, testing by an accredited laboratory, an audit of manufacturing 
procedures, or a documentar y verification . 
3.59.   BBN inspectors are tasked with checking the documents accompanying the goods, including 
the certificate of conformity for products subject to SGS inspection and the quality seal for products 
originating in another EAC country. This verifica tion is followed by a physical inspection of the 
products.12 The BBN assigns quality seals.  
                                                
10 Online information from the BBN . Viewed at: 
http://bbnburundi.org/Documents/standard_standards.pdf . 
11 The certificate of conformity is not required for the following: personal and household effects; 
precious stones and metals; works of art; explosives and pyrotechnic articles; ammunition, weapons and 
instruments of war; live animals; newspapers and periodicals ; postal parcels and commercial samples; 
donations by foreign governments or international bodies to the Burundian Government or to recognized 
foundations, charities and humanitarian organizations; donations and supplies to diplomatic and consular 
missions  or to affiliated organizations of the United Nations imported for their own needs.  
12 Online information . Viewed at: http://bbn -burundi.org/Qualite_04_Importation_EN.php . WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  3.60.   The BBN has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kenya Bureau of Standards 
(KEBS).  
3.61.   There is no accreditation body in Burundi.  
3.62.   The legal framework for markin g and labelling appears to be unchanged since the last review. 
Burundi does not have national provisions on  marking, labelling or packaging; and it uses the Codex 
Alimentarius standard as the main reference for food labelling. According to  the Commercial C ode, 
however, the Ministry responsible for trade may, inter alia, lay down requirements on the 
composition, quality, and denomination of  goods in tended  for sale  and the affixing of indications 
specifying their origin, composition, weight, volume, quantity or measurement s. 
3.3.3   Sanitary and phytosanitary requirements  
3.63.   In 2013, Burundi adopted Decree No. 100/99 of 31 March 2013 on the creation , organization, 
role and operation  of the National Committee for the Coordination and Monitoring of Sanitary and 
Phytosanitary Measures. The Committee reports to the national focal points for the CODEX  (BBN) , 
the OIE (Animal Health Department) and the IPPC ( Plant Protection Department)13, which are the 
main agencies in Burundi 's SPS institutional framework.  
3.64.   According to the Decree, the Committee 's objective s are to: coordinate activities related to 
sanitary and phytosanitary measures concerning  animal health, food safety and plant protection at 
the national level; advise on policies relating to sanitary and phytosanita ry measur es and supervise 
their implementation at the national  level; facilitate the dissemination of relevant information among 
all parties involved with sanitary and phytosanitary measure s; coordinate prior consultations with 
all stakeholders in the prep aration of country positions in respect of the international forums that 
address sanitary and phytosanitary matter s; prepare and coordinate SPS training programmes  at 
the national level ; provide a forum for information exchange among focal points ( CODEX, O IE and 
IPPC), and co operat ion on SPS notifications; help raise awareness on issues relating to sanitary and 
phytosanitary measures among all public - and privat e-sector stakeholders throughout the country ; 
and strengthen the partnership between the public a nd private sectors.  
3.65.   In February 2014, under the SPS Agreement, Burundi notified the WTO of Decision 
No. 750/1103/2013 banning the importation, manufacture and marketing of liquor in plastic sachets 
and bottles.14 
3.66.   Law No. 1/123 of 23 November 2017 on plant p rotection in  Burundi (replacing Decree -Law 
No. 1/033 of 30 June 1993) regulates border control of plant imports and exports and the issuance 
of phytosanitary certificate s to exporters. The resulting control s and inspections are performed by 
the Plant Prote ction Department of the Ministry of Agriculture  and Livestock . Fees are charged for 
these services: the phytosanitary certificate costs BIF 5,000 (less than US D 4), while phytosanitary 
inspection fees are not yet being collected pending the adoption of implementation  instruments for 
the 2017 Law.  
3.67.   Ordinances No. 710/837 and No. 710/838 of 29 October 2001 set the status, respectively, of 
pesticides approved for agricultural use and pesticides prohibited for agricultural use in Burundi. 
Ordinance No. 770/406 o f 24 March 2003 establishes a National Code of Conduct for Pesticide 
Management; and several ordinances authorize or prohibit the use of specific pesticides, based on 
information held by the National Committee responsible for the approval and control of pesticides 
(177 pesticides  are approved, and 37 are banned from manufacture, marketing or importation in 
Burundi).  
3.68.   Law No. 1/28 of 24 December 2009 on health policy in respect of domestic animals, wild 
animals, aquaculture and bees covers health control at the border, among other issues. It places 
special emphasis on export and import controls, the establishment of a f und to combat epizootic 
diseases and measures to prevent communicable diseases. In general, imports and exports of 
animals and animal products require a health certificate, and they are subject to inspection by the 
Burundi Animal Protection Service. Import s of animals listed in Article 85 of the Animal Health Law 
                                                
13 WTO document G /SPS/GEN/1306/Rev.1 , 12 March 2014.  
14 WTO document G/SPS/N/BDI/3 , 13 February 2014.  WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  require a health certificate issued by the country of origin. This must state that the animals  do not  
come from an area in which infection by one of the communicable diseases listed in Burundian 
legislation has been notified in the last 42 days or more.  
3.69.   In June 2017, Burundi ratified the EAC Protocol on SPS Measures, which was adopted by the 
Council of Ministers of the Member States and signed in July 2013. The protocol aims to harmonize 
sanitary an d phytosanitary protection measures and to facilitate the circulation of plants, 
phytosanitary products, food and animals within the subregion.  
3.70.   On 1 August 2008, Burundi ratified the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on 
Biological Diversity . The country currently has a biosafety policy, a national biosafety committee, 
and a clearing house for information on the subject. A draft biotechnology safety law sets out basic 
rules to protect the population and the environment against the risks of ge netically modified 
organisms (GMOs) and products derived therefrom through modern biotechnology. Once adopted, 
the law will apply to the import, export, transit, contained use, release or placing on the market of 
any GMO, whether intended for dissemination  in the environment, or as a food, livestock feed, or 
processed product, or one derived from a GMO.  
3.3.4   Competition policy and price control  
3.71.   The legal and institutional framework on competition has not changed significantly since 
Burundi's last TPR. Competitio n issues are governed by Law No. 1/06 of 25 March 2010 on the legal 
regime for competition. This legislation deals in particular with free pricing, individual or collective 
anti-competitive practices, and unfair competition. It provides for criminal and ad ministrative 
sanctions in case of violation. Exemptions are granted for certain restrictive practices that aim, 
among other things, to promote Burundian exports, increase the efficiency of production and 
maintain the quality of services. The Law applies to  any activity involving the production or 
distribution of goods and provision of services, or intellectual property rights undertaken in 
Burundian territory by natural or legal persons, whether public or private. It also applies in the 
following situations : when the effects of practices restricting competition implemented by firms 
located outside Burundi are perceived in national territory, subject to the relevant agreements; or 
when the effects of restrictive practices implemented by firms located in the c ountry affect trade, 
particularly between States parties to the relevant agreements and treaties.  
3.72.   The Law provides for  the creation of a competition commission to rule on violations of the law 
and impose sanctions, among other tasks. It can be actuated by the Minister responsible for trade 
and business; and it also has freedom to act on its own initiative. However , its implementing decree 
has not yet been adopted; and, in practice, the Commercial Court deals with competition issues.  
3.73.   The Ministry responsible for trade and industry is the authority in charge of competition issues. 
It proposes measures to the Government which it considers appropriate for the restoration of 
competition in certain spheres; it conducts sector -level studies on competition; and it identifies 
practices that could hinder competition along with the appropriate procedures to address them.  
3.74.   In general, the principle of free pricing remains in force in Burundi. However , the authorities, 
acting through the Directorate  of Domestic Trade, reserve the right to regulate the prices of strategic 
goods and services. They may also intervene if conditions are not competitive, particularly in sectors 
where  there are monopolies  (either de facto  or de jure ). For example, the Gover nment sets or 
administers prices for a certain number of products (Section 4); and it sets producer prices for 
coffee, tea, cotton and sugar. Selling prices are fixed for petroleum products, non-alcoholic 
carbonated beverage s, beer and sugar, among other i tems. The Government also sets prices for a 
number of services, including electricity, water, passenger road transport, and fixed telephony. In 
the case of selling prices, the relevant decisions are notified  through an ordinance from the 
Minister  of Trade or by a decision of the boards of directors, duly approved, either tacitly or explicitly, 
by the Minister  responsible . 
3.3.5   State trading, State -owned enterprises and privatization  
3.75.   In 2017, pursuant to Article XVII:4(a) of the GATT 1994 and paragraph 1 of the M emorandum 
of Understanding on the Interpretation of Article XVII, Burundi notified the WTO that it maintains no 
state trading enterprise within the meaning of the working definition given in paragraph 1 of the WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  aforementioned Memorandum.15 However , the State  holds shares in several firms operating across 
most sectors of the economy (Table 3.3).  
Table 3.3 List of State-invested companies and the State's share, 2011  
Name of company  State share  
(%) 
Commercial Bank of Burundi (BANCOBU)  3.03 
Water and Electricity Distribution Authority (REGIDESO)  100.00  
Credit Bank of Bujumbura (BCB)  10.65  
Public Real Estate Corporation (SIP)  87.50  
Burundian Trade and Investment Bank (BBCI)  3.30 
National Bank for Economic Development (BNDE)  40.10  
Burundian Airport Management Company (SOBUGEA)  90.00  
Burundi Insurance Corporation (SOCABU)  25.00  
Curing and Marketing Company (SODECO)  100.00  
Urban Housing Promotion Fund (FPHU)  83.10  
AFRICARE  0.67 
Kayunza  Washing Stations Management Company (Sogestal Kayanza)  14.24  
AIR Burundi  100.00  
Kirimiro Washing Stations Management Company (Sogestal Kirimiro)  68.80  
CAMEBU  100.00  
Kirundo Washing Stations Management Company (Sogestal Kirundo)  42.82  
Cotton Management Company (COGERCO)  100.00  
Mumirwa Washing Stations Management Company (Sogestal Mumirwa)  81.00  
Supervision of social constructions and land development (ECOSAT)  100.00  
Ngozi Washing Stations Management Company (Sogestal Ngozi)  26.86  
Bujumbura  Port Operating Company (EPB)  40.58  
Imbo Rice -growing Development Company (SRD Imbo)  100.00  
National Guarantee Fund (FNG)  n.a. 
Moso Sugar Company (SOSUMO)  99.00  
Source du Nil Hotel  54.90  
Brasseries et Limonaderies du Burundi (BRARUDI SA)  40.74  
National Lottery of Burundi (LONA)  100.00  
National Peat Office (ONATOUR)  100.00  
National Telecommunications Office (ONATEL ) 100.00  
Public Transport Board (OTRACO)  100.00  
Burundi Tea Office (OTB)  100.00  
Régie de Productions Pédagogiques (RPP)  100.00  
n.a. Not available.  
Source:  Information provided by the Burundian authorities.  
3.76.   The legal and institutional framework for privatization has not changed, and privatization 
operations appear to have made little progress.  
3.77.   Law No. 1/03 of 19 February 2009 revis ing the law on the organization of the privatization of 
state-owned  enterprises, services and public works, regulates the privatization and operation of 
state-owned enterprises in Burundi. The main bodies in charge of privatization include: 
(i) the Intermi nisterial Privatization Committee (CIP); (ii) the Technical Valuation Commission 
(CTE); and (iii) the State -Owned  Enterprise Service ( SCEP).  
                                                
15 WTO document G/STR/N/16/BDI , 21 April 2017.  WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  3.78.   Privatization is implemented either by a public offer of sale or through an invitation to tender. 
The programme for  the privatization and reform of the public service s sector is the responsibility of 
the Ministry  in charge of privatization , whose tasks include : (i) preparing and following up the policy 
for privatization  of state -owned enterprises ; and (ii) preparing an d following up strategies for 
privatization of state-owned  enterprises. The SCEP studies and analyses the respective bids, and 
makes recommendations to the CIP, which then makes the appropriate decision. The CTE is 
responsible for evaluating the bids submi tted; it also reviews the business development plans 
submitted by bidders whose technical files are in good standing; and it decides whether each plan 
meets the requirements . The CIP is the privatization decision -making body.  
3.3.6   Government procurement  
3.79.   Until J anuary 2018, Law No. 1/01 of 4 February 2008 on Burundi's Government Procurement 
Code was the main legal framework governing the award of public contracts. The Code 's main 
innovation was to have introduced structures for the control and regulation of gover nment  
procurement. Thus, within the respective institutional framework, the National Directorate for the 
Control of Government Procurement (DNCMP) is responsible  for initial control of compliance with the 
relevant regulations. This includes monitoring the execution of government procurement processes. 
The Regulatory Authority for Government Procurement is responsible, among other things, for 
making to the Government any recommendations likely to improve and enhance  the efficiency of 
the government procurement system, for implementation of the relevant  regulations and 
procedures, for out-of-court settlement of disputes arising from government  procurement 
procedures, and for the collection and centralization of statist ics on the award, fulfilment  and 
monitoring  of government procurement  contracts on its website (www. armp.bi).  
3.80.   In January 2018, Law No. 1/04 of 29 January 2018 was adopted, amending Law No. 1/01 of 
4 February 2008 on the Government  Procurement Code. The new Law makes several changes to 
government  procurement procedures, such as shortening deadlines, redefining the conditions for 
using government  procurement methods other than competitive tendering, and raising the threshold 
for prio r control.  
3.81.   The Code applies mainly to acquisitions by public -law corporations and certain private -law 
corporations  or mixed enterprises acting on behalf of, or financially assisted by, public -law 
corporations , with a view to t he execution  of works , the sup ply of goods, the provision of services, 
or intellectual services, provided that the estimated amount of the contract is equal to or above the 
current thresholds: BIF 10 million for works contracts and BIF 5 million for supplies and services.16 
A single thr eshold of BIF 10 million is applicable in the case of contracts awarded by public 
enterprises.17 Procurement contracts awarded under international financing agreements or treaties 
are subject to the provisions of the Code, except where contrary to  the provi sions of the agreements 
and treaties in question. The procurement threshold is BIF 10 million.18 
3.82.   Procurement documents are prepared by the contracting authorities benefiting from the 
procurement, through their procurement management units. Among other things, the contracting 
authority draws up the annual procurement plans , which must receive the DNCMP's notice of no 
objection. Once this is obtained, the entire procurement proce dure is conducted by the 
Public  Procurement Management Unit.  
3.83.   Pursuant to the legislation, the invitation to tender may be open, restricted or involve a 
competition. Open tendering is in principle the rule; the use of any other procurement method must 
be except ional and justified by the contracting authority. In processes involving amounts below the 
procurement thresholds, the contracting authority may use the request for quotation procedure, 
provided that the procedures followed comply with  the principles laid down in the Code . 
                                                
16 Ministerial Ordinance No. 540/1035/2008 of 26 October 2008 defining the thresholds for awarding 
contracts, control and publi cation of government procurement.  
17 Ministerial Ordinance No. 540/249/2010 of 14 February 2010 defining the threshold for awarding 
contracts, control and publication of government procurement by state -owned enterprises of a commercial 
nature.  
18 Ministerial  Ordinance No. 540/753/2009 of 8 June 2009 defining the thresholds for awarding 
contracts, control and publication of externally financed public contracts.  WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  3.84.   Invitations to tender and pre -qualification notifications must be published in the government  
procurement journal, on the government  procurement website, or in a national or international 
newspaper.  
3.85.   In exceptional cases, contracts may be awarded by direct negotiation or mutual agreement. 
Recourse to direct negotiation or mutual agreement should be exceptional, be justified in advance 
by the contracting authority in accordance with the conditions laid down by the Code and pending  
special au thorization from the DNCMP. The contracting authorities must ensure that, in each financial 
year, the cumulative  amount of direct awards made by each contracting authority does not exceed 
10% of the total amount of its government  procurement contracts. In the event that a contracting 
authority requests an authorization to negotiate a contract  directly and the 10 % threshold is 
exceeded, the ARMP must be called upon to validate the procedure. Recourse to direct negotiation 
or mutual agreement i s subject to the limitations  provided for in Articles 99 and 101 respectively. 
These include the urgent nature of the case  and other specific factors. During the period under 
review, open tenders were the main mode of procurement (Table 3.4 ). 
Table 3.4 Statistics on government  procurement by procedure , 2012 -2017  
Procedure  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  
Direct negotiation  47 35 25 36 24 42 
Restricted 
consultation  7 55 7 3 3 5 
Open tender  400 421 472 405 607 671 
Total  454 511 504 444 634 718 
Source:  Government  Procurement Regulatory Authority (ARMP), Rapport Annuel 2016 . Online information . 
Viewed at: http://www.armp.bi/files/Rapports/Rap ports%20Annuels/Rapport_2016.pdf . 
3.86.   In principle, national preference may be granted to domestic firms fulfilling the criteria defined 
by legislation. In no case may this exceed 10 % for works or 15 % for supplies and services. The 
margin must be quantified in  the tender documents  as a percentage of the amount of the bid. 
3.87.   Bidders that consider themselves to have been unfairly treated may lodge a complaint with 
the Contracting Authority or a higher authority within five working days of the date of publication of 
the award decision. Any such complaint must invoke a manifest violation of the government  
procurement regulation s. Decisions  by the Contracting Authority may be appealed to the ARMP; and 
the latter 's decision s may be appealed to a juri sdictional authority . 
3.3.7   Intellectual property rights  
3.88.   During the review period, Burundi signed several agreements on intellectual property right s 
(IPRs). Within the framework of the treaties  administered by the World Intellec tual Property 
Organization (WIPO), Burundi has signed the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and 
Artistic Works (12 April 2016) and the WIPO Copyright Treaty (12 April 2016). It is also a contracting 
party to the Convention Establishing the Wo rld Intellectual Property Organization (30 March 1977) 
and the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (3 September 1977). In addition, 
it signed the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of 
Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity (12 October 2014). 
Burundi is also a signatory to several other IPR agreements.19 
3.89.   The Industrial Property Department (within the Directorate  responsible for industry ) has 
primar y responsibility for reviewing and approving applications to register industrial property rights; 
and it serves as the contact  point for all industrial property matters. The Burundian Office for 
Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (OBDA), located in the Mini stry responsible for culture , is 
responsible for copyright and related -rights issues.  
3.90.   The main IPR laws in force in Burundi are: Law No. 1/13 of 28 July 2009 on industrial property 
in Burundi (in force since 2009) and Law No. 1/021 of 30 December 2005 on t he protection of 
copyright and neighbouring rights in Burundi (2005). These laws have not yet been notified to the 
WTO, however.  
                                                
19 Online information . Viewed at: http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/profile.jsp?code=BI . WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  3.91.  The Law on Industrial Property governs rights in respect of the following: patents, geographical 
indications, undisclosed information (trade secrets), trademarks, utility models, trade  names, 
protection of new plant varieties, genetic resources, traditional knowledge, layout designs of integrated 
circuits. It specifies the scope, duration and any exclusions for each type of r ight. 
3.92.   Burundian legislation allows compulsory licen ces to be issued in certain cases. At the request 
of any interested party or the Public Prosecutor's Office, submitted after the expiry of four years 
from the date on which the patent application was filed , or three years from the granting of the 
patent, whichever is later, a compulsory or non -voluntary licen ce may be granted if one or more of 
the following conditions are met:  
• the public interest, particularly national security, nutrition, health or the dev elopment of 
other vital sectors of the national economy, so requires;  
• a judicial or administrative body has ruled that the patent holder or licensee is making use 
of the invention in an abusive or anti -competitive fashion, or does not meet the  demand 
for the protected product on reasonable terms in sufficient quality and quantity;  
• the patent -holder refuses  to grant licenc es under reasonable commercial terms and 
conditions;  
• the establishment or development of industrial or commercial activities is unfairly o r 
substantially prejudiced.  
3.93.   The main responsibility of the Directorate -General for Industry is to review and approve 
applications for the registration of industrial property rights. Nonetheless, in practice, the demand 
for and granting of industrial proper ty rights is virtually non -existent in Burundi20, possibly owing to 
the absence of regulation in this area for a considerable time.  
3.94.   In 2012, the authorities adopted the following instruments : Ministerial Ordinance 
No. 540/2046 of 24 December 2012 on procedu res for the deposit and registration of trademarks,  
service  marks , collective  marks, trade names and certification marks ; Ministerial Ordinance 
No. 540/2042 of 24 December 2012 on procedures for the deposit and registration of industrial 
designs; Ministeri al Ord inance  No. 540/2047 of 24 December 2012 on procedures for the deposit 
and registration of geographical indications; and Joint Ord inance  No. 540/750/1582 of 
14 September  2012 on fees for services rendered in respect of industrial property.  
3.95.  The Law on the Protection of Copyright and Neighbouring Rights covers, inter alia , literary, musical, 
artistic and audiovisual works. Authors are entitled to commercially exploit their work themselves or to 
assign commercial rights in such a way as to obta in a profit, where applicable. The term of protection 
granted by law for economic rights in protected works extends throughout the lifetime of the author and 
for 50 years after the author's death. Anonymous or pseudonymous works are protected for 50 years 
from the date on which the work in question was legally made available to the public. However, when 
the identity of the author is disclosed, or there is no doubt as to the author's actual identity prior to the 
end of that period, the protection is the same  as that granted for economic rights.  
3.96.   Among its other duties, the OBDA is responsible for enforcing  copyright. It represents the 
copyright  owners, in respect of musical production s and performance s, audiovisual performance s, 
and reproduction of works . 
3.97.   Although the law provides for sanctions and border measures to prevent counterfeit or pirated 
goods from being imported, application of the measures remains very sketchy or non -existent.  
3.98.   The most common IPR violations recorded in Burundi are counterfeiting, fr audulent imitation 
and forgery . The products involved include pharmaceuticals, textiles, cosmetics, electrical and 
electronic goods and computer programs. Most of these items seem to be  imported. Weak 
enforcement of the sanctions provided for in the law an d the low price of counterfeit products appear 
to be the main causes of intellectual property violations.  
                                                
20 Online information from the WIPO . Viewed at: 
http://www.wipo.int/ipstats/en/statistics/country_profile/profile.jsp?code=BI . WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  4  TRADE POLICIES BY SE CTOR  
4.1  Agriculture, forestry and fishing  
4.1.  Agriculture (including forestry, livestock and fishing) remains the main e conomic sector, 
representing over 40 % of GDP and employing about 90 % of the country's workforce. It consists 
chiefly of family farms producing coffee (on which about 800,000 planters depend directly), followed 
by tea; it is characterized by traditional far ming methods with low productivity. Livestock farming is 
generally extensive and accounts for about 19 % of agricultural GDP and 4 % of total GDP. Despite 
the fishery potential of Lake Tanganyika, fishing remains a marginal artisanal activity.  
4.2.  Agricultural p roducts (mainly coffee and tea) are the main source of foreign exchange; although 
their contribution to export earnings dipped below 50 % in 2012 and 2013, it bounced back to over 
60% in 2015 and 2016. The main food crops are legumes, in particular beans, s oya beans, peas and 
green bananas; tubers and other root vegetables, in particular cassava, sweet potatoes, potatoes 
and yams; and cereals, including maize, sorghum, rice and wheat. The Burundian livestock 
population consists of bovine cattle, goats, poult ry, sheep, rabbits and pigs (Table 4.1). Food -crop 
and livestock farming production is primarily intended for domestic consumption.  
Table 4.1 Statistics on agricultural products, 2011 -2016  
Indicator  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
Main agricultural products 
(thousands of tonnes)        
Cereals  327 246.3  243.6  226.3  219.3  4,502  
Legumes  232 236.7  258.8  274.9  282.9  1,367  
Roots and tubers  1,560  2,051.3  3,333.0  3,203.2  3,462.1  26,359  
Bananas  149 1,184.1  2,235.7  1,362.8  865.6  n.a. 
Export crops (tonnes)        
Quantity of cherry coffee (tonnes)  41,960  83,943  36,383  68,142  96,254  21,283  
Quantity of green tea  40,852  42,148  41,817  53,893  50,578  n.a. 
Seed cotton  1,890  1,622  2,238  2,457  2,299  2,010  
Livestock products        
Bovine cattle (thousands of head)  654 609 640 689 760 623 
Sheep (thousands of head)  333 441 406 426 602 229 
Goats (thousands of head)  2,286  2,489  2,349  2,348  2,368  2,357  
Pigs (thousands of head)  444 404 436 540 561 333 
Poultry (thousands of head)  2,553  2,449  1,979  2,984  2,664  1,677  
Fishing        
Traditional fishing (tonnes)  710 865 774 1,218  2,080  1,560  
Artisanal fishing (tonnes)  11,360  13,578  12,458  14,794  18,198  20,245  
n.a. Not available.  
Source:  ENAB, Farm Year 2014 -2015, taken from the Assessment of the Implementation of the Poverty 
Reduction Strategy Paper PRSP  II: 2012 -2015, December  2016.  
4.3.  Burundi's agricultural sector has several strong points, including the variety of ecosystems, the 
presence of unexploited marsh land, irrigable plains and a very extensive network of lakes and rivers. 
However, it still faces many constraints, in particular demographic pressure, climatic vagaries, 
limited access to credit, rudimentary modernization of production methods and soil deg radation, 
with the result that productivity is low. Demographic pressures on the land remain a major challenge 
for land tenure security, which is a key factor in investment decision -making in the agricultural 
sector.  
4.1.1   Agricultural policy  
4.4.  The main responsibi lities of the Ministry in charge of agriculture are the design, formulation 
and implementation of agricultural policy.1 Several other entities also intervene in the agricultural 
sector: the Ministry responsible for rural development (MDR); the Ministry res ponsible for trade (in 
connection with trade relations); the Ministry in charge of finance (tax matters); the Ministry 
                                                
1 Decree No. 100/115 of 30 April 2013 on the reorganization of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.  WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  responsible for the economy (price controls); the Ministry in charge of health (for some sanitary and 
phytosanitary matters); and produce rs' associations.  
4.5.  Burundi's development strategy guidelines, as set out in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper 
(PRSP), consider the agricultural sector to be a lever for poverty reduction. However, the allocation 
of public resources to agriculture continu es to fluctuate, and during the review period has generally 
been small, falling short of the commitment made by the African Head s of State at the 
Maputo  African Union Summit in July  2003 to devote 10 % of national budgetary resources to 
agriculture. The aut horities have indicated that Burundi does attain the 10 % target if the agricultural 
components of other ministries are taken into account.  
4.6.  Food security remains the objective of government policy and action in the agricultural sector. 
To this end, Burundi intends to move forward from subsistence agriculture to commercial agriculture, 
through an improvement in productivity leading to higher food production as well as encouraging 
the creation of decent jobs in the sector.  
4.7.  In 2008 the Government drew up a Nati onal Agricultural Strategy (SAN), but this appears to 
have suffered from a lack of effective operationalization despite the preparation of an action 
programme and a set of subsectoral strategies. With a view to implementing the national strategic 
guideline s, the Government adopted some subsectoral strategy papers, in particular the national 
food security programme (PNSA); the strategy paper for livestock (DOS -Elevage); the national 
aquaculture strategy; and the strategic master plan for watershed and marshl and research and 
management. Phase II of the SAN (2018 -2022) is currently being prepared and is expected to be 
adopted by the end of 2018. The SAN specifically aims to boost agricultural productivity and output 
and develop sustainable production systems; p romote specific crops and agri -business in order to 
develop and diversify sources of growth; professionalize producers and develop private enterprise; 
and strengthen management and sustainable development capacity in the agricultural sector in order 
to tra nsform Burundi's subsistence agriculture into a profitable and professionally managed market 
agriculture.  
4.8.  In 2011, in cooperation with all the sector's stakeholders, the Government established a 
National Agricultural Investment Plan (PNIA) in order to revi ve agricultural production and tackle the 
food deficit. The PNIA is thus the operationalization framework for all the investment needed in order 
to implement all the strategies in the agricultural sector. The mobilization of financial resources, 
profession alization of producers and promotion of innovation, development of specific subsectors 
and agri -business, and public institution building, have been the anchor points for implementation 
of the PNIA. During the review period, a number of programmes have thu s been implemented.2 
4.9.  From 2012 to 2015, action taken in the PNIA framework led to the development of 6,877 ha 
of marshland and 31,260 ha of water catchment areas, and the construction of the KAJEKE irrigation 
dam which, once completed, should allow the irr igation of 3,000 ha in the Imbo floodplain. In 
addition, the launch of the national fertilizer subsidy programme resulted in the distribution of 
high-quality inputs for farmers, although at a slower pace from 2014 onwards owing to the scarcity 
of resources . Agronomic and post -harvest research activities were intensified with respect to  
industrial crops, cereals, legumes, roots and tubers and the horticultural chain. The promotion of 
applied research also boosted propagation by root cuttings for coffee plant s, coffee plants from seed, 
tea tree root cuttings, macadamia, maize and rice plants, cassava root cuttings, potatoes and rooting 
slips. 
4.10.   The implementation of the PNIA has also led to other achievements such as the dissemination 
of processing methods for p roducing fruit juice and jam from pineapples, papayas, mangoes and 
maracuja (passion -fruit); the production of equipment such as machinery for mincing cassava 
leaves, improved chimney solar drying plants, and weeding hoes; and the introduction of yam bean 
crops, semen for artificial insemination, forage seeds and forestry and agro -forestry seedlings. 
However, the impact of these measures on food crop production still appears to be insufficient in 
relation to food security needs. Following a clear increase i n food crop production between the 
                                                
2 UNDP, Bilan de Mise en Oeuvre du Cadre Stratégique de Croissance et d e Lutte contre la Pauvreté 
(Progress on Implementation of the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper) PRSP II: 2012 -2015, 
Bujumbura, December 2016.  WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  2011-2012 and 2012 -2013 farm years, the ensuing periods showed limited results, with successive 
declines in the 2013 -2014 and 2014 -2015 farm years (Table 4.1).  
4.11.   With a view to alleviating land tenure uncertainty and the tensions arising from the return of 
refugees and displaced persons, in 2011 the Government adopted a Land Tenure Code. The reform 
was primarily aimed at increasing land tenure security and the prevention of conflict. The major 
innovations consist of strict er rules governing expropriation and attribution of state -owned land, and 
the creation of new communal land services. In particular, a system of land management formally 
recognized by the State was introduced, under which certificates are issued by the new  communal 
land services. The Code also set up a National Land Commission, which is responsible for monitoring 
the effective implementation of the La nd Tenure Code and to act as a n ational observatory for land 
tenure issues in Burundi.  
4.12.   The agricultural sect or enjoys relatively high nominal tariff protection as well as some tax 
exemptions or relief (Common  Report, S ection 3.1.4). The simple average of customs duties in the 
agricultural sector (SITC definition) is 18.1 %, with rates ranging from zero to 75 %. As in the case 
of the previous review, relatively high rates apply in particular to imports of meat, fish and most 
fishery products, coffee, tea, cocoa and some legumes. Imports of agricultural products, including 
food, are in principle subject to sanitary r equirements (Section 3.3.3).  
4.13.   Agricultural and livestock products are exempt from VAT or taxed at a reduced rate  
(Section  3.1.4). Other exemptions are aimed at encouraging investment in agriculture. Thus, unbuilt 
property exclusively used for agricultural p urposes is exempt from the property tax, and 
animal -drawn vehicles or vehicles used for agriculture are not subject to the vehicle tax.  
4.14.   Several state-owned enterprises are still involved in the coffee, tea and cotton subsectors and 
subsidize the inputs, in  particular seeds, fertilizers and pesticides, which they provide to farmers 
(Section 3.3.5).  
4.1.1.1   Policy by subsector  
4.1.1.1.1   Agriculture  
4.1.1.1.1.1   Coffee  
4.15.   Coffee is still by far the biggest foreign exchange earner in Burundi, accounting for around 
36% in 2016. About 800,000  households work in the coffee subsector. An area of some 60,000  ha 
is devoted to coffee growing, mainly for the production of Arabica, which accounts for 96 % of total 
national output, the rest being Robusta. The subsector continues to face huge challenges. There are 
generally large fluctuations in production, owing in particular to weather conditions, soil erosion 
resulting from over -exploitation of the land without the possibility of its being left fallow, the ageing 
of the coffee t rees, and conflict, all of which is compounded by very limited access to suitable 
fertilizers.  
4.16.   Two regulatory bodies are responsible for the management of the subsector: the Coffee Chain 
Regulatory Authority of Burundi (ARFIC), an administrative public est ablishment which is primarily 
responsible for coordinating and monitoring the activities of all the stakeholders in the coffee 
subsector ; and INTERCAFE Burundi, an association of all those who participate in the Burundian 
coffee subsector , with responsibil ity for supporting the various groupings operating within the chain, 
from producers to traders, via the processors. The coffee producers are grouped in associations, 
from "colline" level to national level (National Confederation of Coffee Growers (CNAC)). The 
remuneration of the ARFIC, as well as that of all the other bodies of the subsector, is based on the 
services it delivers to the coffee subsector.  
4.17.   The subsector consists of a number of stakeholders. Producers are for the most part grouped 
in associatio ns (about 600,000 households). The industrial link of the chain, which mainly comprises 
first and second stage processing, consists of the washing station management companies 
(SOGESTALs) and milling companies.  WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  4.18.   The procedures in the value chain have not ch anged since the previous review. Processing is 
done by the washing companies (SOGESTALs) that convert the cherries into parchment, and the 
milling companies that convert the parchment into green coffee.  
4.19.   The five SOGESTALs are mixed (semi -public) enterprise s, in which the State holds between 
14 and 81 % of the capital. These companies own 133 modern washing stations spread over the 
country's various regions. The SOGESTALs purchase the coffee cherries from the planters at a 
provisional price fixed in consultat ion with representatives of all the stakeholders in the chain. The 
provisional price is submitted to the Council of Ministers for approval. Even after adoption by the 
Council, the price remains subject to upward (not downward) adjustment if the estimates a re 
exceeded, whereas deficits are not passed on to the planters. The SOGESTALs deduct the cost of 
the inputs supplied on credit from the sum paid to the planters.  
4.20.   The SOGESTALs deliver the parchment to the millers, who remove the parchment skin. There 
are four of these companies, of which two are public (SODECOs) and two private (SONICOFF and 
SIVCA). The millers are paid by the SOGESTALs for the services rendered, the green coffee they 
produce remaining the property of the SOGESTALs. The SOGESTALs bear the parchment transport 
and storage costs. The planters may also pulp and dry the cherries and turn them into parchment, 
which they then sell to traders, without passing through the washing stations. The traders then sell 
the parchment to the millers. However,  the coffee thus produced is often of inferior quality.  
4.21.   Government efforts to support coffee production under the PNIA have essentially been geared 
to boosting yields and improving quality, in particular through the supply of inputs and production 
equipmen t. Actions aimed at quality improvement have led to an increase in the production of 
exportable coffee, as well as to the equipping of several coffee washing stations with wastewater 
treatment systems.  
4.22.   Imports of unprocessed coffee, other than beans, are s ubject to an average tariff of 19.6 % 
(Section 3.1.3).  
4.1.1.1.1.2   Tea 
4.23.   Tea production represents a major opportunity for exports and for poverty reduction in 
Burundi. Around 2 % of Burundian households grow tea, a percentage that rises to nearly 15 % in 
the areas where t here is a tea factory. Moreover, tea accounts on average for over 10 % of the value 
of total exports.  
4.24.   Tea is grown in an area of about 8,000 ha, with a yield of about 13,965 tonnes in 2017. 
Almost three quarters of total production comes from family holding s, and the rest from plantations 
belonging to industrial units of the Burundi Tea Board (OTB), a wholly state -owned enterprise.  
4.25.   The OTB carries out almost the full range of activities, from the supply of s eedlings  and 
fertiliz ers, the collection and proces sing of the green leaves, to the export of the finished product. 
Since the Government launched the liberalization process in 2007, four companies have been 
approved to work in the subsector, and one of them (PROTHEM) began operations to purchase and 
proces s green leaves in 2011.  
4.26.   The OTB is also responsible for extension services to support tea planters, to whom it supplies 
seeds free of charge and sells inputs such as fertilizers and herbicides on credit and at cost price. It 
is also in charge of training t he planters in plucking techniques. It buys the tea leaves from the 
planters at a price determined on the basis of technical parameters and projections of the price of 
dry tea on the international market. The cost of the inputs is deducted from the price p aid to the 
planters; this price is, on average, 30 to 35 % of the market price for the dry tea.  
4.27.   Almost 95 % of the tea produced in the OTB's factories is exported, mainly through the 
Mombasa tea auction (on average, 60 % of production). The sales are made for  the account of the 
OTB by international brokers with whom the Board negotiates annual contracts. Producers may also 
export their own products.  
4.28.   Action under the PNIA has also targeted the tea subsector. As a result of the OTB's efforts 
aimed at increasing the size of plantations, introducing new plants and boosting the capacity of the WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  Rwegura factory, there has been an improvement not only in the level of output but also in terms 
of income.  
4.29.   Imports of tea and other products in the same group are subject to an average tariff of 25 %. 
4.1.1.1.1.3   Cotton  
4.30.   Burundi's cotton exports are marginal. The collapse of production may basically be attributed 
to producer prices, which the farmers consider inadequate and unattractive compared with those for 
other crops. Other significant  factors are the high operating costs and the closure of COTEBU, which 
absorbed the whole of domestic cotton production, and inadequate extension services to support 
the cotton producers.  
4.31.   The Compagnie de Gérance du Coton (Cotton Management Company – COGERCO), a 
state-owned company, and local private growers own the cotton plantations. COGERCO buys the 
cotton from the private growers (at agreed prices) and after processing it into fibre sells the entire 
output to the textile factory belonging to the M auricienne Afritexile, a private company.  
4.32.   Under the PNIA, efforts to revive cotton production have primarily targeted increasing the 
planted areas, boosting cotton fibre yields per hectare, providing more inputs and raising producer 
prices. These actions h ave borne fruit and raised production from 1,622 tonnes in 2012 to 
2,457  tonnes in 2014, before a drop to 2,300 tonnes in 2015.  
4.33.   Imports of raw cotton bear a zero -rated customs duty, while products obtained by processing 
raw cotton, such as yarn and fabrics , and cotton clothing, are subject to higher average rates, of 
19.6% and 25.3 % respectively.  
4.1.1.1.1.4   Sugar  
4.34.   The main stakeholders in the sugar industry have not changed since the previous review. 
Almost 90 % of cane sugar is produced by industrial units belonging to  the Moso Sugar Company 
(SOSUMO), a semi -public company with a government -appointed Board, which owns the only factory 
for converting raw cane sugar into white sugar. The remaining 10 % is produced by small plantations, 
mostly situated within a 15 km radius  of the factory. SOSUMO provides the small plantations with 
inputs, such as fertilizer and pesticides, on credit.  
4.35.   SOSUMO has had an average annual output of about 22,000 tonnes since 2011, with a rising 
trend.3 
4.36.   In April  2017, the Government announced the i ntroduction of a sugar import quota depending 
on the local market demand situation. There is also a sugar export quota (Section 3.2.3).  
4.1.1.1.1.5   Livestock  
4.37.   A livestock development strategy paper, linked with the SAN and the PNIA, was prepared in 
2009 and adopted in 2012 to provide a detailed overview of the livestock sector with a view to 
drawing up the Strategy Paper (DOS).  
4.38.   Animal production (about 5 % of GDP) has remained stable overall since 2011 (Table 4.1). All 
livestock production is intended for domestic consum ption. Livestock farming also provides inputs 
for crop production by providing manure and draft animals.  
4.39.   In principle, all cattle must be taken to an approved slaughterhouse before the meat can be 
marketed. The Bujumbura abattoir, a public enterprise under  the Ministry responsible for livestock, 
is the main slaughterhouse. It charges a slaughter tax of BIF  3,000 per head for cattle and BIF  1,700 
per head for sheep, goats and pigs. Milk is mainly produced by private dairy farmers, mostly located 
in the regio n of Bujumbura, the principal market. Poultry production continues to contend with a 
lack of, or high -priced, inputs as well as competing cheap imports.  
                                                
3 Online information . Viewed at: http://sosumo -burundi.com/images/rapport_annuel_2013_2014.pdf . WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  4.40.   There are other constraints on the development of livestock production, such as the 
shortcomings of the  technical support services for livestock breeders, especially in terms of 
veterinary care and balanced feeding; the poor state of the production facilities and basic 
infrastructure; and the high cost of getting products to market. This partly explains the  difference 
in price between local products and imports. In addition, the traditional extensive system remains 
the main mode of animal production, but modern methods are beginning to develop, in particular in 
the poultry sector around Bujumbura.  
4.41.   In recent years, the Government has introduced programmes for restocking the herds of 
livestock farmers with higher quality animals – cattle, goats, pigs, and poultry (in particular laying 
hens) as well as rabbits. At the same time, genetic improvement through cattl e insemination and 
the protection of livestock against diseases through vaccination against foot and mouth disease have 
had a positive effect on livestock productivity, especially in the case of cattle and poultry raising, 
where performance has improved.  
4.1.1.1.1.6   Fishing  
4.42.   The bodies of water where fishing is done consist mainly of Lake Tanganyika (8 % of the total 
area of the lake, or 2,280 km², and 9 % of the length of the shoreline, or 159  km), the southern 
parts of Lakes Cohoha and Rweru in the northwest (about 140 km²), the waters of the eight other 
natural lakes in the north and the watercourses draining Burundi, and the waters of its artificial 
ponds and lakes.  
4.43.   Fishing (including aquaculture) remains marginal, accounting for about 2 % of Burundi's 
agricultural GDP.  It provides a livelihood for about 100,000  people and contributes a third of the 
population's animal protein consumption. Law No.  01/17 of 30  November  2016 on the organization 
of fishing and aquaculture in Burundi regulates this subsector. Two types of fi shing are practised: 
traditional and artisanal. There is a large difference between traditional and artisanal fishing, 
although both types have greatly increased their production (Table 4.1), which is essentially intended 
for the domestic market.  
4.44.   Tradition al fishing is a form of inshore subsistence fishing practised in the northern part of 
Lake Tanganyika as well as on Lakes Cohoha and Rweru. Artisanal fishing, a small -scale commercial 
activity practised close to the shores of Lake Tanganyika and in the sou th of the country, accounts 
for most of the catch. There are 54 landing sites along the shores of Lake Tanganyika at which the 
fish are first sold. Transport costs and the lack of storage facilities make it difficult to distribute the 
fish within the count ry. Industrial fishing is negligible; according to the authorities, it is practised 
mainly by foreign and a few domestic entrepreneurs. Processing activities are confined to smoking 
or drying using artisanal methods.  
4.45.   Government efforts to develop fishing a nd promote aquaculture have targeted the distribution 
of tilapia and clarias fry and the restocking of the artificial lakes of Kavuruga and Rwegura, as well 
as capacity -building for fish farmers. Nevertheless, there are still major needs in terms of 
modern ization through greater use of modern fishing methods that favour the preservation of 
species, improve working conditions and ensure the promotion of suitable conservation measures.  
4.46.   Fishery products bear an average customs duty of 24.6 %. The Government lev ies a specific 
tax of BIF  5 per kg of fish sold (whether local or imported). The cost of fishing licences varies 
according to the type of activity: BIF  2,500 for traditional fishing, BIF  5,000 per year for artisanal 
fishing and BIF  400,000 per year for ind ustrial fishing. Fishermen must also obtain a registration 
certificate (BIF  3,500), a certificate of seaworthiness (BIF  5,000) and a voyage permit (BIF  500 per 
trip). Industrial fishermen must also pay a tax of BIF  3,000 per cubic metre on their vessels. 
According to the authorities, these rates are currently being revised pursuant to Law No.  01 /017 of 
30 November  2016.  
4.47.   A national aquaculture development strategy has been in place since 2010, centred on 
improving production systems, strengthening support s ervices and organizing the subsector. 
However, implementation seems to be facing enormous difficulties; the authorities indicate that the 
process is underway, in particular as regards fish farming.  WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  4.1.1.1.1.7   Forestry  
4.48.   Burundi's natural forests cover about 103,000 ha,  or 3.70 % of the country's territory. Artificial 
forests cover 69,000 ha, or 2.47 %. The forestry and agro -forestry subsector contributes about 2 % 
of GDP and provides 6 % of jobs.  
4.49.   In 2012, Burundi adopted a forestry policy paper providing the overall guideli nes for public 
action in the regulation of the use of woodland areas and the management and exploitation of 
forestry resources. A new law amending the Forestry Code of 1985 was adopted in 2016.4 It 
establishes the regime for the development, conservation, exploitation and use of the country's 
forestry resources.  
4.50.   Two types of tax are applied in the forestry subsector, a transport tax and a reforestation tax. 
The transport tax on forestry products (set at 5 % of the sales price of the product) is paid by the 
trader to obtain the authorization to transport and sell forestry products, whether purchased or 
coming from the trader's own logging activity. The reforestation tax (set at 30 % of the value of t he 
cutting permit for communal woodland) is paid by the holder of the cutting permit for the restoration 
of the felled areas and as far as possible the creation of new woodland. The average customs duty 
on forestry products is 13.4 %. 
4.2  Mining and energy  
4.2.1   Mining products  
4.51.   Burundi has a large and varied mining potential, mainly involving nickel and its associated 
minerals, namely copper, cobalt and the elements of the platinum group, vanadium, cassiterite, 
colombo -tantalite (coltan), wolframite, rare earths, gold , peat, and signs of hydrocarbons. Despite 
this potential, the sector contributes less than 1 % of GDP. However, mining accounts for a 
substantial proportion of foreign exchange earnings, averaging over 5 % of exports since 2012. Tin, 
tungsten, coltan and go ld are the main ores extracted and exported (Table 4.2).  
Table 4.2 Trends in mining exports by type of ore, 2011 -2016  
 Gold Tin Coltan  Tungsten  
2011  1,051,926.7 51,844.2  158,781.7  505,105 
2012  2,146,859.48  116,720.2  258,578.1  564,769.6  
2013  2,823,238.35 3,132.2  73,518.3  115,212.7  
2014  649,725 - 105,546.7  48,909.3  
2015  548,502.04 71,717.5  53,092.5  39,564 
2016  396 25,200 73,192 166,898 
Source:  Assessment of the Implementation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper PRSP  II: 2012 -2015, 
December  2016.  
4.52.   Mining is primarily artisanal and small -scale. Artisanal mining is an important means of 
survival for nearly 34,000 people in rural areas.5 Mining production was generally unstable over the 
review period, w ith a sharp drop in gold production between 2013 and 2015 (Table 4.3).  
Table 4.3 Trends in mining production by product, 2011 -2016  
Indicator  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
Gold 1,051.9  2,146.9  2,823.2  649.7  548.5  396 
Tin 51,844.2  11,672.2  3,132.2  - 71,717.5  22,243.5  
Coltan  158,781.7  258,578.1  73,518.3  105,546.7  53,092.5  31,687.1  
Wolframite  505,105 564,769.6  115,213 48,909.3  39,564 131,432 
Source:  Assessment of Implementation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper PRSP  II: 2012 -2015, 
December  2016.  
                                                
4 Law No. 1/07 of 15 July 2016 amending the Forestry Code.  
5 Online information . Viewed at: 
http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/494681468190181664/pdf/103086 -WP-P145997 -Box394854B -
PUBLIC -Burundi -English -1607197 -Web-FRENCH.pdf . WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  4.53.   Burundi enacted a new Mining Code in 20136 to replace Decree -Law No.  1/138 of 17  July 1976 
establishing the Mining and Petroleum Code. However, there has been some delay in the issuing of 
its legal and regu latory implementing instruments. Its provisions apply to all operations of 
exploration, prospecting, industrial and artisanal exploitation, processing, storage, transport and 
marketing, as well as closure of mines, relating to mineral or fossil substances,  thermal waters and 
quarrying products on the territory and in the territor ial waters of Burundi, with the exception of 
liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons, which are governed by specific laws. Under the Code, the State has 
the role of regulator and does not en gage in mining activities.  
4.54.   The Code provides for the following types of authorization: prospecting permits, which do not 
confer upon their holder any right to dispose of discovered substances, which remain the property 
of the State; exploration permits; ex ploitation permits; and artisanal exploitation permits. According 
to the authorities, so far six exploration permits and ten industrial exploitation permits for mining 
and quarrying have been issued. A charge is levied for the issuing and renewal of mining  and 
quarrying permits. The amounts and methods for the payment of this charge are set out in 
Decree -Law No.  1/12 of 15  October  2013 establishing the Mining Code of Burundi.  
4.55.   To obtain an exploration permit, the applicant must submit to the Ministry respons ible for 
mining a dossier that complies with the regulatory requirements, including: an overall work 
programme for the duration requested that is adapted to the geographical and geological features 
of the area concerned; the information to enable the Minis try to judge the applicant's technical and 
financial capacity to carry out the programme; and an environmental impact study. The maximum 
duration of an exploration permit is three years from the date of issue, renewable twice, each time 
for a period of two  years.  
4.56.   The mining title consists of an exploitation permit that must be accompanied by a mining 
agreement. The mining agreement attached to an exploitation permit must as a minimum contain 
clauses stipulating the mining company's undertakings with respect  to the creation of infrastructure, 
socio-economic contributions and the recruitment of employees or subcontractors who are Burundian 
nationals, provided they are equally qualified; a  ministerial ordinance  establishes the model for such 
mining agreements c oncluded with the State.  
4.57.   The grant of an industrial exploitation permit entitles the State, free of charge, to at least 
10% of the shares or in -kind shares of the mining company. The duration o f the mining permit is 
25 years, and thereafter it may be renew ed for periods of ten years at a time. Exploitation permits 
may only be granted for substances for which an exploration permit has been granted.  
4.58.   In the case of artisanal exploitation of minerals, a permit for a specified perimeter is required. 
Only mining cooperatives set up in accordance with the Code of Private and State -Invested 
Companies may obtain an artisanal mining permit. The artisanal explo itation permit is valid for 
two years, renewable under the same conditions as the initial application for peri ods of two years at 
a time.  
4.59.   Pursuant to the Code, the enterprises which it regulates are subject to the ordinary tax and 
customs regime of Burundi. In addition, an annual surface -area royalty is levied on mining and 
quarrying rights. The surface -area royal ty is payable for any mining and quarrying permit during its 
term of validity, calculated according to the hectare, with a fraction of a hectare counting as a 
hectare. The surface -area royalty is fixed by a regulation. Artisanal mining and quarrying as wel l as 
the mineral trading agencies ( comptoirs ) are subject to an ad valorem tax based on the product 
value. The ad valorem tax rate for mining permits is 3 % for base metals, 0.7 % for precious metals, 
2% for precious stones, and 1.5 % for other minerals.  
4.60.   Political and social instability, the lack of electricity and the absence of a railway are factors 
that hinder investment in both prospecting and exploitation. Furthermore, the rational planning of 
the mining sector remains complex owing to the difficulties in  collecting reliable statistics, especially 
given the predominance of generally informal artisanal activities. Other explanatory factors include 
the inadequate dissemination of the Mining Code, and the unregulated activities of some small -scale 
                                                
6 Law No. 1/21 of 15 October 2013 on the Mining Code of Burundi.  WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  gold miners  (orpailleurs) who refuse to join up in associations and sell their production to the 
approved agencies.  
4.61.   The Government is reportedly preparing to submit Burundi's candidacy to the Secretariat of 
the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.  
4.2.2   Energy and water  
4.2.2.1   Water  
4.62.   Burundi has extensive water resources, in particular ground water. However, it still faces a 
serious lack of basic equipment and of an efficient water supply management system.  
4.63.   Since 2009 the Government has set about reorganizing the subsec tor in order to ensure the 
rational and sustainable management of water resources and water works of public interest. Thus, 
it adopted a national water policy (2009), a national water strategy (period 2011 -2020), a national 
water sanitation policy (2013) a nd a Water Code (2012). The latter regulates the use and 
management of water for different purposes (agriculture, drinking water, hydroelectricity, industrial 
use). However, the implementing texts have not yet been finalized. Overall, the rate of coverage of 
drinking water appears to have improved, at 92.6 % in urban areas and 67 % in rural areas.7 
4.64.   REGIDESO is responsible for the production, distribution and marketing of water in urban 
areas, whereas since 2010 in rural areas municipalities (communes outside the REGIDESO 
perimeter) have been responsible for protecting water resources, ensuring the maintenance and 
development of infrastructure, and organizing the proper operation of water supply services. The 
formal division of responsibilities between the stak eholders in local water management is set out in 
a public service concession contract between the commune and the communal water board (an 
association set up under private law).  
4.65.   The Rural Water Agency (AHR), under the Ministry responsible for water, suppor ts the 
planning, programming, monitoring and evaluation, supervision and studies relating to rural water 
works, and provides technical advice for communes. The AHR is responsible in particular for the 
organization and training of the staff of several commu nal water boards.  
4.66.   The National Coordinating Committee for the Water Sector (CNCE) is responsible for ensuring 
dialogue and coordination among all the stakeholders.  
4.2.2.2   Electricity  
4.67.   The contribution of electricity to Burundi's GDP is estimated at only 1 %. The availability of 
power remains very limited, at less than 5 % of the population. The Water and Electricity Distribution 
Authority (REGIDESO), a state -owned company, has a total generating capacity of about 36 MW, of 
which 30 MW are hydroelectric, spread over  9 power stations of very different sizes, ranging from 
Rwegura (18 MW)  to Mugere (8 MW), Nyemanga (2.8 MW), Ruvyironza (1.5 MW) and Gikonge 
(1 MW); and 5.5 MW of diesel generated electricity. The Burundian Agency for Rural Electrification 
(ABER) operates five hydroelectric mini -power stations for a total generation of 0.47 MW supplying 
small isolated centres. In addition there are several small hydraulic plants operated by private 
entities (diplomatic missions, Burundi Tea Board) for an estimated total pow er of 0.65 MW.  
4.68.   Supply continues to fall short of demand, and therefore REGIDESO has to import about 29 % 
of electric power. In this context, two hydraulic power stations on the  Ruzizi River are shared by 
Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Buru ndi. Ruzizi I power station is operated by 
SNEL, a Congolese company, while Ruzizi II is operated by the Société Internationale d'électricité 
des Pays des Grands -Lacs (SINELAC), a tri -national company. The electricity is sold in equal shares 
to the three n ational power companies, at a price that is regularly revised by agreement among the 
three countries.  
                                                
7 UNDP Burundi, Assessment of the Implementation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper 
PRSP II: 2012-2015, Bujumbura December 2016.  WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  4.69.   Roughly 58 % of domestic electricity production is hydraulic and 10% comes from thermal 
power stations. The electricity generation deficit varies between 1 3 MW during the rainy season and 
25 MW during the dry season, when the hydroelectric power stations operate at reduced capacity. 
The equipment is old and badly maintained, resulting in a line loss rate of over 15 %. The unreliability 
of the grid creates man y difficulties for economic operators, such as interruptions of activity and 
spoiled goods caused by power cuts, and therefore manufacturers resort to the establishment of 
back-up systems. Thus, t he Burundi Tea Board has a 450 k W hydraulic micro station th at can cover 
about 70 % of the electricity needs of its Teza factory, and thermal generating units for its other 
factories that operate during power cuts. The Moso Sugar Company is self -reliant during the sugar 
production period thanks to its cogeneration u nit (2 x 2 MW).8 
4.70.   The Government is aiming at an electrification rate of 13 % by 2020, by stepping up the 
reforms to improv e the performance of REGIDESO  and to  complet e work on the new regional 
infrastructures, namely Rusumo Falls (80 MW), Ruzizi III, (147 M W) and the establishment of new 
high-voltage lines, including the Gitega -Ngozi -Butare -Kigoma 220  KV line, the 
Kamanyora -Bujumbura 220 KV line and the Rusumo Falls -Gitega –Bujumbura 220 KV line.  
4.71.   In addition, the legal and regulatory framework has been revise d to allow private investment 
in electricity generation in order to accompany the country's industrialization. Thus Law No.  1/014 
of 20 August  2000 on the Liberalization and Regulation of the Drinking Water and Electricity Sector 
put an end in principle to  REGIDESO's monopoly over electricity production in the national territory. 
However, the implementing texts were only adopted in 2016.9 As a result, the state -owned company 
REGIDESO has remained the dominant operator in the Burundian electricity subsector,  and is 
responsible for managing and operating the power plants, transport lines and distribution networks.  
4.72.   In 2011, Burundi adopted the Law establishing the Regulatory Agency for the Drinking Water, 
Electricity and Mining Sectors (AREEM), whose members we re reportedly appointed only in 2017. 
The AREEM is thus responsible for regulating activities in the electricity sector, including competition 
and the approval of tariffs.  
4.73.   REGIDESO  adopted a new table of rates  in 2017 (Table 4.4 ). The tariffs depend on a n umber 
of factors, including the voltage category, level of subscribed power and consumption tier.  
Table 4.4 Electricity rates  applicable throughout Burundi, 2017  
Tier New tariff  Fixed charges  
1. Low voltage, households  
0 to 50 kWh  
51 to 150 kWh  
151 and over  82 
290 
546 0.00 
0.00 
6,822  
2. Low voltage, commercial  
0 to 100 kWh  
101 to 250 kWh  
251 and over  195 
313 
399 4,122  
8,266  
12,398  
3. Government  
Single tier  313 11,500  
4. Medium voltage customers  
4.1 Medium voltage with subscribed power (SP) and peak  
Subscribed power   9,274  
(New fixed premium  
BIF/kWh/Month)  
SP surcharge   18,547  
(New fixed premium  
BIF/kWh/Month)  
Peak hours (first 150 hours)  281 
(New tariff per kWh  
BIF/kWh)   
                                                
8 Diagnostic study of the Burundi energy sector in the framework of  the Sustainable Energy for 
All Initiative, Bujumbura, June 2013.  
9 Decree No. 100/130 of 23 June 2016 on the reorganization of the transport, distribution and 
marketing of electricity; and Decree No. 100/132 of 23 June 2016 on th e procedures for the development of a 
power plant for exclusive and commercial use.  WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  Tier New tariff  Fixed charges  
Off-peak hours (151 and over)  195 
(New tariff per kWh  
BIF/kWh)   
4.2 Medium -voltage with subscribed power (SP) and without peak  
Subscribed power   16,283  
(New fixed premium  
BIF/kWh/Month)  
SP surcharge   16,283  
(New fixed premium  
BIF/kWh/Month)  
Single tier  218 
(New tariff per kWh  
BIF/kWh)   
4.3 Medium -voltage without subscribed power (SP) and without peak  
Single tier  319 
(New tariff per kWh  
BIF/kWh)   
Source:  Information provided by the Burundian authorities.  
4.74.   Electricity is imported duty -free. 
4.2.2.3   Hydrocarbons  
4.75.   Burundi is not an oil producer, and the explorations conducted in collaboration with the 
Democratic Republic of the Congo along Lake Tanganyika were unsuccessful.  
4.76.   Burundi currently imports all the petroleum products it needs. In 2016, these imports 
accounted for about 17.1 % of total imports. The poor state of the roads has contributed to the 
increase in the prices of petroleum products as the Government has been forced to reduce the upper 
limit on the amount of petrol transported by lorry from 60,000  litres to 30,000 litres to p revent 
further deterioration of the road surface.  
4.77.   Decree -Law No.  1/138 of 17  July 1976 establishing the Mining and Petroleum Code (whose 
provisions relating to hydrocarbons are currently being reviewed) regulates the hydrocarbons sector 
in Burundi. Decree No. 100/110 of 25  June 2008 on the regulation of the importation and marketing 
of petroleum products specifically regulates activities relating to the import and marketing of these 
products. Private enterprises must be approved by the Ministry responsible for trade in order to 
import and sell petroleum products. The application for approval must include: the trade registry 
enrolment record specifying importation of petroleum products; the importer's registration code; the 
tax identification number  (NIF); th e company by -laws; a tax clearance certificate from the public 
treasury; a certificate from an approved commercial bank certifying the deposit of a minimum capital 
of BIF  1 billion intended exclusively for the importation of petroleum products; and an unde rtaking 
duly signed by the applicant to comply unreservedly with all regulations.  
4.78.   The approved importers for petroleum products are Interpetrol, Mogas Burundi, 
Delta  Petroleum Burundi, Jet Fuel, BPP Engen, Yakeime Oil Company, Mount Meru, New Oil 
Company, Asha Ramy Energy, Merez Petroleum, Sippebu, Engen Petroleum Burundi and Kobil 
Burundi, all private companies . 
4.79.   There are two storage facilities in Burundi, the Bujumbura facility managed by Engen and the 
Gitega tank farm managed by Interpetrol.  
4.80.   Fuel prices (except for aviation fuel) are set each month by a tripartite commission 
(Government, importers and consumers). The price is supposed to cover all the importers' and 
dealers' costs, and can vary according to the province.  
4.3  Manufacturing  
4.81.   The share of manufac turing in GDP has remained stable at around 11 %. Industrial production 
is characterized by the predominance of state -owned enterprises and small units, operating 
particularly in the agri -food industry, and consists mainly of brewers, soft drink manufacturi ng, tea 
factories and sugar mills. There are also some small and medium -sized enterprises in the textiles WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  industry. The past decade has seen heavy investment in information and communications technology 
(ICT), which has become an essential factor in Burund i's efforts to overcome its landlocked status.  
4.82.   The country has a National T rade and Industrial Development Strategy (SNDIC) (Section 2.2), 
aimed at: improving the business climate; establishing infrastructure; developing economic, 
technological and industr ial zones; deepening the regional integration process; improving economic 
competitiveness; reviving industrialization by targeting investment at three priority sectors 
(agri-food industry, tourism , and mining and quarrying ); establishing public -private par tnerships; 
certification capacity -building; facilitating financing for agro -industrial and rural entrepreneurs' 
projects; and diversifying sources of finance for industrial and trade activities.  
4.83.   Burundi is reportedly finalizing its national industrializati on policy and drawing up a plan of 
action for its implementation.  
4.84.   Despite preferential access to markets in the United States (AGOA) and the European Union 
(Everything but Arms), Burundi's manufacturing export potential is limited and at best subregional.  
4.85.   There are still many challenges facing the development of the sector. The lack of 
implementation of the government strategies is compounded by  competition from the other 
EAC countries, transport and electricity constraints, high operating costs, small mark et size, lack of 
skilled labour and weakness of the local private sector.  
4.86.   The simple average of applied MFN rates in the manufacturing sector (SITC definition) is 
12.7%. For manufactures as a whole, the tariff displays mixed escalation ( common report, 
Table 3.6), with negative escalation for raw materials (15.9 %) to semi -finished products (9.9 %) and 
positive escalation from semi -finished to finished products (14.3 %), which burdens the production 
costs of enterprises using taxed inputs and/or discourages them from improving their 
competitiveness.  
4.4  Services  
4.87.   Services account for about 40 % of GDP and employ less than 10 % of the active population. 
The main branches of the services sector, in terms of their contribution to GDP, are transport, 
telecommunications,  tourism and financial services, including banking. Tourism has been severely 
constrained, first by the civil war and once again since the 2015 political crisis.  
4.88.   Burundi has undertaken commitments with respect to a numbe r of services under the 
General  Agreement on Trade and Services (GATS), namely business services, construction and 
related engineering services, distribution services, health -related services, and social services.10 For 
these services, Burundi has bound, without limitations on market access a nd national treatment, all 
the measures affecting their cross -border supply, their consumption abroad and commercial 
presence with a view to supplying those services. With the exception of medical specialists, 
managers and specialized senior management (su bject to horizontal concessions), measures 
affecting the presence of natural persons have not been bound. Burundi did not participate either in 
the WTO negotiations on basic telecommunications or in those on financial services.  
4.4.1   Postal and telecommunications services  
4.89.   During the review period, postal and telecommunications services accounted for roughly 3 % 
of GDP on average. The regulatory and institutional frameworks for the subsector have not changed 
significantly.  
4.90.   Telecommunications servic es are governed by the Law of 4  September  1997, which opened 
up the subsector to private investment. It also led to the establishment of the Telecommunications 
Regulation and Control Agency (ARCT) pursuant to Decree No.  100/182 of 30  September  1997. The 
ARCT operates under the authority of the President of the Republic. It is responsible, inter alia , for 
ensuring compliance with the licensing regulations in the subsector and with competition rules, and 
for establishing the technical and administrative speci fications for the type approval of 
communications equipment. In addition to the ARCT, the National Commission for the Information 
                                                
10 WTO Document GATS/SC/116 , 15 April 1994.  WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  Society (CNSI) and the Executive Secretariat for Information and Communications Technologies 
(SETIC) also have responsibilitie s relating to telecommunications.  
4.91.   The CNSI is tasked with supporting the Government in the coordination, implementation and 
monitoring of the national policy for the development of information and communications 
technologies. The SETIC's responsibilities i nclude the design, coordination, follow up and evaluation 
of all projects and programmes relating to the development of information and communications 
technologies.  
4.92.   During the previous trade policy review of Burundi, the Government planned (i) to review th e 
mandates of, and divide up responsibilities between, the ARCT, CNSI and SETIC to ensure greater 
coherence and efficiency; (ii) to complete the privatization of ONATEL; (iii) to strengthen the 
independence of the ARCT as a regulatory authority; (iv) to dr aw up a plan for cooperation with the 
bodies in the EAC countries responsible for telecommunications matters and to share information to 
facilitate subregional comparisons of prices and competition; and (v)  to define the pricing 
mechanisms and the range of  telecommunications services  for the laws on competition and 
consumer protection . 
4.93.   Pursuant to Ministerial Ord inance  No. 520/730/540/231 of 9  April 1999 establishing the 
operating conditions for activities in the telecommunications sector, licences are gran ted by the 
Ministry responsible for telecommunications on the recommendation of the ARCT. The price of a 
licence is US D 200,000 for the basic telephone and mobile cellular networks, and US D 100,000 for 
the fixed cellular network. Operators must also pay a USD 1,000 administrative tax, a US D 500 
equipment approval tax and an annual fee of 0.5 % of turnover.  
4.94.   Decree No.  100/186 of 16  October  2017 on the creation and management of the fund for the 
universal service in information and communication technologies i n Burundi provides a framework 
for the organization of the Universal Service Access Fund placed under the responsibility of the ARCT. 
The Fund was established to finance, inter alia , universal access to basic telecommunications 
services for all inhabitants  of isolated areas at an affordable price; support for disadvantaged 
segments of the economy ; and the free delivery of emergency electronic communications. The 
resources of the Fund come primarily from a 1 % levy on the turnover of telecommunications 
operat ors. 
4.95.   A draft Law establishing the Electronic Communications and Postal Services Code was adopted 
in 2016. It provides a single framework governing the electronic communications and postal services 
sectors and sets out the legal regime for electronic commun ications and postal activities in Burundi.  
4.4.1.1   Telecommunications  
4.96.   The telecommunications market has grown rapidly in recent years. The number of mobile 
telephone subscribers rose from roughly 1,240,000 (or about 14.5 %) in 2011 to 5,920,000 (roughly 
50%) in 201 7. The mobile telephony market consists of four operators: LACELL, ONATEL 
MOBILE  (the 100 % State -owned incumbent operator), ECONET LEO and VIETTEL (since 2014). They 
are licensed to establish and operate technologically neutral mobile telecommunication net works in 
order to provide broadband mobile Internet services.  
4.97.   Two operators share the fixed telephony market (ONATEL FIXE and VIETTEL). ONATEL, the 
incumbent operator, provides wired fixed telephony, while since 2015 VIETTEL provides wireless 
fixed telepho ny. The country had 21,000 fixed telephone lines in 2017.  
4.98.   In 2017, six operators were licensed to provide fixed broadband Internet services (CBINET, 
SPIDERNET, OSANET, USAN, LAMIWIRELESS, and NT GLOBAL). The Internet penetration rate rose 
from about 1 % to roughly 7 % in 2017. The number of Internet subscribers consists largely of mobile 
Internet subscribers, for 99.6 % of the Internet market, as against 0.4 % of fixed Internet 
subscribers. The ARCT is responsible for the supervision and management of Burundian  domain 
names, ".bi", through the National Informatics Centre.  
4.99.   A fund for access to the universal telecommunications service has been set up under Decree 
No. 100/186 of 16  October  2017 on the creation  and management of the ICT Universal Service Fund  
in Bur undi. A tax of 1 % is levied on turnover (excluding taxes and interconnection charges) during WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  the previous financial year as a contribution by operators to the universal electronic communications 
and postal service.  
4.4.1.2   Postal services  
4.100.   Under the Ministry respon sible for postal services, the National Postal Authority (RNP), a 
government agency, offers postal and financial (current account) services in Burundi through a 
functional network of seven post offices in the Commune of Bujumbura and 21 others throughout 
the country. Some services are reserved for the RNP, in particular the distribution of letters and 
other missives, sealed or open, postcards and advertisements, circulars and prospectuses when they 
bear the address of the intended recipient.  
4.101.   The collection and distribution of express letters and small parcels sent by international mail 
are open to private operators, including foreign operators, who must sign an agreement with the 
RNP stipulating the conditions under which they are approved to carry on their activities in Burundi.  
4.4.2   Transport  
4.102.   In recent years, Burundi's national development strategies, in particular the PRSP II, have 
emphasized the promotion of multimodal transport combining complementary road, lake and air 
transport. The objective is significant ly to reduce transport costs, which are a major component in 
the pricing of goods.  
4.103.   Burundi does not have direct access to the sea. It depends on its road, rail and air links as 
well as lake transport on Lake Tanganyika for the carriage of its imports and e xports.  
4.104.   Air transport primarily concerns passengers and plays only a minor role in freight transport 
owing to its high cost. Roads are therefore the main means of transport used in Burundi, given the 
current unreliability of the Tanzanian rail network link  with Kigoma. There is no domestic rail 
network.  
4.4.2.1   Road transport  
4.105.   The legal framework governing road transport has not changed significantly since the 
previous trade policy review of Burundi.11 
4.106.   Law No.  1/04 of 17  February  2009 on inland road transport is the main regulatory text in 
this field. Road transport policy is formulated and implemented by the Ministry responsible for 
transport. The Ministries responsible for public works and infrastructure and for rural development 
deal with road infrastructure. The B urundian Agency for Public Interest Works (ABUTIP) implements 
donor -supported projects, including projects in the road sector, by concluding construction contracts. 
The planning, supervision and coordination of construction and maintenance activities for t he road 
network are the responsibility of the Burundi Highway Board (OdR), under the supervision of the 
Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure. The National Road Fund was created to mobilize financial 
resources for the maintenance of the road network.  Pursuant to Law No.  1/06 of 
10 September  2002, it is financed by the proceeds of fuel taxes, driving licences, road tolls, axle 
charges, motor vehicle import taxes, compensation paid for damage to the road network, possible 
State contributions, as well as  grants or contributions from international organizations intended for 
road maintenance.  
4.107.   Most road freight services are provided by private operators that carry food products, 
agricultural products, cattle, manufactured consumer products and other industri al products along 
two main corridors. About 500 Burundian goods vehicles are engaged in international transport, 
compared with about 40,000 Tanzanian goods vehicles.  
4.108.   Passenger transport is provided by private minibus operators or by the Public Transport 
Board (OTRACO), a state -owned enterprise. Intercity transport has been liberalized and is dominated 
by private operators. H owever, as part of its strategy the Government intends to increase the 
subsidies granted to OTRACO to improve rural services. An interministerial committee in which other 
                                                
11 WTO Document WT/TPR/S/271/BDI/Rev.1 , 23 November 2012.  WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  public and private organizations also participate sets the rates for transport within Bujumbura. The 
Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Infrastructure has developed a sectoral policy (2011 -2025) 
containing an analysis of the subsector and proposals for future action.  
4.4.2.2   Air transport  
4.109.   Burundi has one international airport (Bujumbura International Airport) and four national 
aerodromes (Gitega, Kirundo, Ngozi and Gihofi). The national carrier, Air Burundi, ceased operating 
in 2007. Traffic at Bujumbura Airport has been relatively stable since 2017, after decreasing slightly 
in 2015 and 2016 (Table 4.5).  
4.110.   International services are provided by seven international carriers under bilateral 
agreements on air services. T hese are Kenya Airways, SN Brussels Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, 
Rwandair Express, Air Tanzania, South African Airways and TMK (Democratic Republic of the Congo).  
4.111.   Law No.  1/13 of 2  May 2012 establishing the Civil Aviation Code is the main legislation 
governing civil aviation in Burundi.  
4.112.   Under the Ministry responsible for transport, the Burundi Civil Aviation Authority (AACB), 
formerly the Aviation Services Authority (RSA), provides services relating to the regulation and 
control of civil aviation. Its main  responsibilities include the issuing of air transport licences; provision 
of air navigation, assistance and aeronautical information services; airport management and 
operation; aircraft registration and the safety of air navigation and of aircraft, in par ticular 
airworthiness; the regulation of air transport services; and advising the Government on civil aviation 
matters. Freight handling services at Bujumbura Airport are provided by the Burundi Airport 
Management Company (SOBUGEA). The AACB fixes the land ing fees and charges relating to storage 
and loading of goods : (i) a landing fee, which increases with the weight of the aircraft; 
(ii) an overflight fee, which increases with the weight of the airc raft; (iii) a parking tax of USD  0.1 
multiplied by the num ber of hours of parking and the weight; (iv) a passenger tax of US D 40 
per person; and (v) a lighting charge of US D 200 per landing or take -off. 
4.113.   In general, in addition to the technical requirements, one of the conditions for the allocation 
of traffic righ ts to a company is the existence of a multilateral or bilateral agreement. Burundi has 
signed bilateral agreements with 18 countries12; these agreements define the frequency of the 
services and the number of passengers. Of these agreements, 11 are being or have been 
implemented since being signed. All international flights operate d by the airlines use 
Bujumbura  Airport. Burundi is a signatory to the Yamoussoukro Decision and the Convention on 
International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention); it is also a me mber of the International Civil 
Aviation Organization (ICAO).  
Table 4.5 Bujumbura International Airport Traffic, 2013 to 2017  
Arrivals  Departures  
Period  Passengers  Baggage  
(tonnes)  Freight  
(tonnes)  Mail 
(tonnes)  Passengers  Baggage 
(tonnes)  Freight  
(tonnes)  Mail 
(tonnes)  Aircraft  
arrivals +  
departures  
2013  148,395  36 2,148  37  109,208  5 335 47 6,830  
2014  134,438  103 2,448  39 106,684  n.a. 345 100 6,235  
2015  120,136  n.a. 2,246  29 86,941  n.a. 293 43 5,466  
2016  105,886  n.a. 1,738  32 75,494  n.a. 267 65 4,181  
2017  131,476  2,097  2,042  47 77,140  348 120 62 4,930  
n.a. Not available.  
Source:  Information provided by the authorities.  
                                                
12 Belgium, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, 
Kenya, Republic of the Congo, Romania, Russia n Federation , Rwanda, South Africa, Switzerland, Tanzania, 
Uganda and  Zambia.  WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  4.4.2.3   Lake transport  
4.114.   Lake transport in Burundi takes place over Lake Tanganyika from the port of Bujumbura and 
secondarily the port of Rumonge. Lake transport links Burundi with Tanzania, Zambia and the 
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).  
4.115.   Bujumbura Port has three main dock s: a 400 -metre berthing dock with four cranes for 
general goods, a 100 -metre container berthing dock and a 100 -metre petroleum dock. It handles 
traffic on the north -south corridor from Sudan to South Africa. The goods transiting through this 
port often com e from Zambia (Mpulungu port). However, goods are now mostly carried by road 
because of the chronic problems caused by the poor operation of the Dar -es-Salaam to Kigoma 
railway. Two companies, ARNOLAC and BATRALAC, dominate the Burundian merchant fleet.  
4.116.   Law No.  1/11 of 16  May 2010 establishing the Lake Navigation and Transport Code is the 
main legislation in this area.  
4.117.   Operators from lakeside countries and Rwanda are permitted to engage in cabotage. Lake 
transport freight tariffs are fixed by decree of th e Ministry responsible for trade and industry. The 
tariff rates also cover administrative costs and other expenses (in particular cleaning) associated 
with the transport of goods. The tariffs charged vary according to the chosen route and the nature 
of the  goods. Thus, on both the Bujumbura -Kigoma and Bujumbura -Mpulungu routes, the tariff for 
coffee is lower than that for other goods.  
4.118.   The Maritime, Ports and Railway Authority (AMPF), under the supervision of the Ministry in 
charge of transport, is responsib le for the administration and management of ports in Burundi. 
However in December  2012 the company Global Port Services Burundi (GPSB) was given a concession 
for the operation (including maintenance and storage) of Bujumbura Port for a period of 30 years.  
4.4.3   Tourism  
4.119.   Tourism accounts for about 8 % of Burundi's GDP and is one of its main sources of foreign 
exchange. The number of visitors remains low and seems to consist primarily of business travellers. 
According to the authorities, hotel capacity has increased considerably, especially in Bujumbura. 
Whereas the country had only 87 hotels in 2010 (for a total of 1,568 rooms), in 2018 more than 
570 hotels were registered in Burundi, with a capacity of 7,232 rooms.  
4.120.   Tourist arrivals, mostly from African countries, de clined in 2015 and 2016 before bouncing 
back in 2017 (Table 4.6).  
Table 4.6 Tourist arrivals in Burundi, 2012 -2017  
 
2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  
Arrivals by region        
Total  147 234 235 131 187 299 
Africa  125 148 152 58 85 138 
Americas  3 10 5 26 28 33 
East Asia and Pacific  4 11 12 7 21 42 
Europe  9 38 37 1 2 8 
Middle East  1 14 13 22 25 55 
South Asia  3 7 8 11 17 15 
Other, not classified  2 6 8 6 9 8 
Arrivals, by main purpose        
Total  147 234 235 131 187 299 
Personal reasons  134 217 193 121 156 224 
Holidays, leisure  121 183 172 103 135 132 
Other personal reasons  13 34 21 18 21 28 
Business and professional reasons  13 17 42 10 31 47 
Arrivals, by means of transport        
Total  147 234 235 131 187 299 
Air 41 92 86 46 74 89 
Water  14 21 26 13 15 16 
Land 92 121 123 72 98 107 
Road 92 121 123 72 98 87 
Source:  Data provided by the National Tourist Office of Burundi.  WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  4.121.   In 2011, the Government drew up a national strategy for the sustainable development of 
tourism over the period 2011 -2020. It contains a number of priority action programmes to attract 
private investment and boost demand in order to make a significant contribution to the country's 
economy. Accordingly, the authorities reorganiz ed the National Tourist Office, tasking it primarily 
with promoting tourism in Burundi in line with the tourism development policy; designed and 
produced tourism promotion materials; made an inventory, classificatio n and delimitation of 
126 tourist sites, together with their signage (100 sites have been evaluated and classified); and 
carried out studies to develop hot springs (Munini, Muhweza, Ruhwa, Kabezi and Gisagara) , the 
Karera falls and the monument to the meeting between Livingstone and Stanley ). 
4.122.   The National S trategy Paper for the sustainable development of tourism states that the 
country's regulatory framework for tourism is obsolete and does not reflect current realities. The 
main legal instrument is Ord inance  41/291 of 2  September  1955 on the oper ation of hotels, 
restaurants, family boarding houses and bars. It deals substantively with the conditions for the grant 
of operating licences in the tourism area and is supplemented by some provisions of the Commercial 
Code. Law No.  1/10 of 11  July 2008 re introducing the hotel and tourism tax, and Ord inance  
No. 750/753 of 6  May 2010 revising the conditions for obtaining licences to operate hotels, 
restaurants and bars, are the legal instruments regulating the sector pending the introduction of the 
Tourism F ramework Law and its implementing texts, which are in the process of being finalized. The 
rules on classification of hotels, restaurants and other tourist facilities adopted by the member 
countries of the EAC have already been published in Burundi and prep arations are being made to 
train hotel classification assessors.  
4.123.   A framework law is reportedly under preparation to address the shortcomings of the current 
regulatory framework, together with three draft decrees. The latter concern the regulation of the 
construction of tourism establishments; the activities of travel agents, tour operators, car rental 
agencies and the tourist guide profession; and the creation of two crosscutting bodies, namely a 
National Tourism Commission and a Technical Committee on Appr oval and Classification.  
4.124.   Burundi has a large and varied range of tourist attractions. These include Lake Tanganyika, 
the Gishora sacred drum sanctuary, Fort Bomani at Gitega, the Gitega national ethnographical 
museum, and the Rubumba coronation site in Mur amyva province. The country also has bountiful 
natural forest reserves that are home to a wide variety of wild fauna and flora.  
4.4.4   Financial services  
4.4.4.1   Banks and other financial institutions  
4.125.   The Bank of the Republic of Burundi (BRB), the Central Bank, is respon sible for the 
supervision and regulation of the activities of banks, non -banking financial institutions  and 
microfinance. In 2017, the banking sector consisted of ten banks, two non -banking financial 
institution s (the National Economic Development Bank (BN DE) and the Fund for the Promotion of 
Urban Housing (FPHU), 40 microfinance institutions, including 17 credit cooper atives, and 
73 approved foreign -exchange offices.  
4.126.   Since 2017, Law No.  1/017 of 23  October  2003 on the regulation of banks and financial 
institution s and Decree No.  100/203 of 22  July 2006 regulating microfinance activities in Burundi 
have been replaced by Law No.  1/17 of 22  August  2017 regulating the activities of banks and 
financial institution s with the exception of insurance establishments.  The Law sets out the criteria to 
be fulfilled by institution s providing financial services; the organization and management of such 
institution s; their financial liability; the regulation, control, insolvency, dissolution and winding up of 
such institutio ns; and appeal procedures.  
4.127.   The minimum capital requirements are BIF  10 billion for banks and BIF  6 billion for other 
financial institutions. The other criteria for approval are set out in Articles 3 and 5 of Circular No.  20 
of 17 August  2018 on the conditi ons for the approval of credit establishments and the representative 
offices of foreign credit establishments issued pursuant to the new banking law. These include in 
particular a letter of request addressed to the Governor of the Central Bank, a list of t he directors 
and managers, and the information substantiating their good repute. For the purpose of opening a 
subsidiary, in addition to the elements set out in Articles 3 and 5 of the Circular, the subsidiaries 
must provide evidence of the consent of the banking supervisory authority in their country of origin.  WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  4.128.   According to the authorities, the BRB abides by the Basel Committee rules for determining 
the prudential rules for commercial banks. The current prudential management rules require the 
equity capita l to be at least equal to the minimum regulatory capital; the solvency ratio to be at 
least 1 4.5% ; a ratio of stable resources to fixed uses of at least 60 %; and a liquidity ratio of at least 
100%. Without the authorization of the BRB no bank or other fina ncial institution may grant the 
same natural or legal person a loan or enter into any commitment in their favour for an amount 
greater than 20 % of its equity capital. Access to foreign credit is subject to the approval of the BRB, 
which in taking its decis ion will take into account the nature of the loan, the sector concerned, and 
the viability of the project to be financed. The BRB does not impose any special conditions on 
foreigners wishing to obtain access to credit through Burundian institutions.  
4.129.   Althou gh relatively small, the banking system largely dominates the financial sector, of which 
it accounts for about 75 %. In 2014, the total assets of the ten banks that make up the sector 
amounted to some US D 824 million (30 % of GDP).13 There are several challen ges confronting the 
development of banking. The relative inefficiency of macroeconomic policies is compounded by 
political instability and a business environment that discourage the development of a dynamic private 
sector. Furthermore, access to financial services is seriously limited: about 2 % of the population 
have a bank account. Overall, current banking activities do not appear to be in line with the country's 
development objectives. Loans to the public sector are relatively large (more than 35 % of tota l 
lending); and the sectoral distribution of loans granted is more favourable to services than to 
agriculture and manufacturing. Furthermore, lending consists largely of short -term loans, whereas 
productive investment is based on long -term lending. These i nconsistencies may be explained by 
the existence of major risks that are not covered by appropriate insurance mechanisms.  
4.130.   In 2016, the BRB established a Technical Committee on Financial Stability (CTFS) and an 
Internal Financial Stability Committee (CISF).  The latter is the decision -making body with respect to 
macro -prudential policy.  
4.131.   At the end of 2017, the three largest banks, namely, the Credit Bank of Bujumbura (BCB), 
the Commercial Bank of Burundi (BANCOBU) and Interbank Burundi (IBB), accounted for 63 .7% of 
assets, 61.3 % of loans and 64.7 % of deposits. Banking operations are confined to the taking of 
deposits and the granting of very short -term loans to a very small client base: large companies, 
wholesale and retail traders, and coffee enterprises.14 
4.132.   Interest rates are market -driven and influenced by changes in the BRB base rate.  
4.133.   Microfinance accounted for 15.9 % of total financial system assets in 2016, and the sector 
has great development potential. In 2012, the authorities established the "Policy and Strategy for 
the Microfinance Sector 2012 -2016", primarily aimed at promoting the widening of accessibility and 
variety of products and services offered by microfinance institutions (MFIs); enhancing the 
professionalism of microfinance establishments; and strengthening the financial security and 
protection of users.  
4.134.   The resources of the MFIs are limited and they are  unable to grant enough loans. To 
supplement these resources, they turn to banks which lend to them at high rates in relation to the 
interbank market. Under the Decree regulating microfinance activities  in Burundi , MFIs have to 
constitute reserves of 20 % of their net turnover, to be allocated to their equity capital without any 
limitation on the duration or amount.15 
4.4.4.2   Insurance  
4.135.   Insurance activities are regulated by the Insurance Regulation and Control Agency, under 
the Ministry responsible for finance. Law No. 1/02 of 7  January  2014 establishing the Insurance Code 
sets out the conditions for the grant and withdrawal of licences for insurance establishments. 
Since 2014 a number of innovations have thus been made, including in particular the introduction 
                                                
13 The banking system consists of: The Commercial Bank of Burundi (BANCOBU); the Credit Bank of 
Bujumbura (BC B); the Burundian Trade and Investment Bank (BBCI); the Management and Finance Bank 
(BGF); ECOBANK; FINBANK; Interbank Burundi (IBB); DTBB; CRDB; and the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB).  
14 IMF, Staff Report for the 2014 Article IV Consultation, Fifth Review Un der the Three -Year 
Arrangement Under the Extended Credit Facility, IMF Report No. 14/293, July 2014.  
15 Bank of the Republic of Burundi (2016).  WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  of six new types of compulsory insurance in addition to motor vehicle liability insurance, namely, 
insurance of imports; professional liability insurance for doctors; professional liability insurance for 
lawyers; liability insurance for operators of commercial property against fire or explosion; insurance 
of office buildings against fire or explosion; and construction risk insurance.  
4.136.   The new Law also establishes the obligation for insurers to provide for participation by the 
insured in the profits made in life i nsurance and capitalization; provisions on insurance 
intermediaries (brokers and general agents); prudential rules governing the activity of insurance 
establishments; and organization of the supervision of the activities of insurance establishments.  
4.137.   When a pproving an insurance company, the ARCA takes into account: the proposed technical 
and financial resources to be committed and their adequacy in relation to the establishment's 
programme of activities; the good repute and qualification of the persons respo nsible for the 
activities; the capital distribution; the establishment of internal control procedures and information 
technologies; and the general organization of the market. The decision to grant or refuse approval 
must be taken within three months of re ceipt by ARCA of the applicant's dossier.  
4.138.   Insurance companies cannot engage in both life insurance and non -life insurance activities 
at the same time. Non -life insurance companies must have equity capital of at least BIF  1 billion, 
not including contributi ons in kind, while companies engaged in life and capitalization activities must 
have an equity of BIF  500 million.  
4.139.   There are no special conditions imposed on foreigners wishing to access Burundian insurance 
services. Access by Burundians to foreign insuran ce services is subject to ARCA approval.  
4.140.   In 2017, Burundi had seven insurance companies with a penetration rate of less than 1 %. 
Insurance activities consist primarily of non -life insurance products (roughly 67 % of the total). Now 
that many insurance produ cts have been made compulsory, the penetration rate should increase 
over the coming years.  
4.141.   Regulation No.  001 of 6  January  2017 on co -insurance in Burundi was adopted in 2017. It 
allows risk sharing among insurers, and helps to strengthen communication amo ng companies and 
affords an overall view of risks that a single company could not cover alone. According to the 
authorities, this Regulation enables insurance companies to make foreign -exchange savings because 
the amounts to be ceded to reinsurers are smal l in the case of co -insurance.  WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  5  APPENDIX TABLES  
Table A1. 1 Structure des exports, including re -exports, 2012 -2017  
 
2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  
Total e xports ( USD mi llion) 244.8  216.4  155.5  125.6  123.2  141.7  
 % of total 
Total primary products  45.9 31.7 60.4 66.7 69.4 64.6 
Agriculture  38.0 26.4 56.4 63.2 64.0 58.6 
Food  35.8 25.5 56.0 60.7 63.1 58.3 
0711 – Coffee, not roasted , whether or not decaffeinated ; 
coffee husks and skin  27.2 13.2 35.2 31.6 36.7 23.8 
0741 – Tea 5.9 6.7 9.6 12.3 11.2 18.8 
0461 – Wheat or meslin flour  0.0 1.3 3.4 5.1 4.6 5.5 
1222 – Cigarettes containing tobacco  1.2 1.9 2.5 4.7 4.0 4.4 
1123 – Beer made from malt  (including ale, stout and porter ) 1.1 1.3 3.8 5.2 4.4 4.3 
Agricultural raw materials  2.2 0.9 0.4 2.5 0.9 0.3 
Mining and quarrying  7.8 5.4 3.9 3.5 5.5 5.9 
Ores and other m inerals 7.6 5.2 3.1 3.0 3.6 5.8 
2878 – Ores and concentrates of molybdenum , niobium, 
tantal um, titanium, vanadium and zirconium  0.0 1.3 2.0 2.0 2.1 4.7 
2879 – Ores and concentrates of other non -ferrous base 
metals  7.0 1.8 0.3 0.2 0.8 0.9 
Non-ferrous metals  0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.0 
Fuels 0.2 0.0 0.7 0.4 1.8 0.2 
Manufactured products  10.6 12.1 23.4 21.4 18.2 9.4 
Iron and steel  0.5 1.2 1.4 1.2 0.7 0.6 
Chemicals  2.6 3.9 6.1 6.0 4.2 1.0 
5541 – Soap; paper, wadding , etc., impregnated with soap or 
detergent  2.3 3.7 5.1 5.4 3.5 0.7 
Other semi -finished products  2.2 2.0 6.2 6.4 4.1 3.0 
6651 – Containers, of glass, of a kind used for the 
conveyance or packing of goods  1.2 0.4 2.7 3.5 3.1 2.5 
Transport machinery and equipment  4.0 4.3 5.2 3.1 5.1 1.6 
Power -generating machinery  0.1 0.5 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.1 
Other non -electrical machinery  1.0 1.0 2.3 0.7 1.5 0.5 
Agricultural machines and tractors  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Office machines and telecommunications equipment  0.3 0.1 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.1 
Other electrical machinery  0.1 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.2 
Automotive products  2.1 1.7 2.1 1.3 2.3 0.5 
Other transport equipment  0.4 0.8 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.2 
Textiles  0.0 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 
Clothing  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Other consumer goods  1.3 0.5 4.4 4.6 4.0 3.1 
8931 – Articles for the conveyance or packing of goods, of 
plastics  0.9 0.2 3.7 3.3 2.6 2.1 
Other  43.5 56.1 16.2 11.9 12.4 26.0 
9710 – Gold, non -monetary (excluding gold ores and 
concentrates)  43.4 55.4 16.2 11.9 12.4 26.0 
Note:  Based on SITC Rev.3  product classification .  
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations based on data provided by the authorities; and data from the 
UNSD  Comtrade database (SITC Rev.3).   
 WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  Table A1. 2 Structure of import s 2012 -2017  
 
2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  
Total i mport s (USD million)  798.3  645.8  802.4  730.1  628.3  725.2  
 % of total 
Total primary products  36.6 25.8 37.6 30.9 36.7 41.7 
Agriculture  16.3 18.2 15.1 13.7 18.4 21.2 
Food 15.1 17.1 13.8 12.0 16.7 19.4 
0612 – Other beet or cane sugar and chemically pure sucrose, 
in solid form  1.6 1.1 1.1 1.2 1.6 3.2 
0422 – Rice, husked but not further prepared  1.0 1.9 0.8 0.8 0.9 3.0 
0412 – Other wheat and meslin, unmilled  1.0 1.7 2.9 1.4 2.7 2.8 
0449 – Other maize, unmilled  1.0 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.9 1.5 
0482 – Malt, whether or not roasted  (including  malt flour) 1.7 1.7 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.2 
0989 – Food preparations, n.e.s.  0.3 0.5 0.6 1.2 1.4 1.0 
Agricultural raw materials  1.2 1.1 1.3 1.7 1.7 1.8 
2690 – Worn clothing and other worn textile articles, rags  0.8 0.8 1.0 1.1 1.4 1.5 
Mining and quarrying  20.3 7.5 22.5 17.2 18.2 20.5 
Ores and other minerals  1.2 0.7 0.6 0.9 1.0 0.6 
Non-ferrous metals  0.2 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.1 
Fuels 18.9 6.6 21.7 16.0 17.1 19.8 
334 – Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous 
minerals (other than crude)  18.5 6.1 21.3 15.6 16.6 19.4 
Manufactured products  62.9 73.8 62.4 68.5 63.2 57.3 
Iron and steel  6.1 5.7 5.4 4.7 5.4 5.4 
6741 – Flat-rolled products of iron or non -alloy steel, plated or 
coated with zinc  1.4 0.9 1.1 0.7 1.3 1.1 
6762 – Bars and rods of iron and steel  0.0 1.2 0.9 0.7 0.7 1.1 
Chemicals  13.4 18.7 15.7 15.6 17.9 16.8 
5429 – Medicaments, n.e.s.  4.7 6.5 5.9 6.2 7.0 6.5 
5629 – Fertilizers, n.e.s.  1.3 2.9 2.4 2.1 2.7 2.7 
5416 – Glycosides  1.5 1.6 1.5 2.3 1.3 1.4 
Other semi -manufactures  11.3 10.4 9.1 8.6 8.9 8.3 
6612 – Portland cement, aluminous cements, slag cement, 
super sulphate cement and similar hydraulic cements, whether 
or not coloured  3.7 3.2 2.7 1.7 2.2 1.7 
6255 – Other tyres  0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 1.2 
Machin ery and transport  equipment  22.6 27.5 22.2 29.1 19.4 14.9 
Power -generating machinery  1.7 2.2 0.6 1.5 0.7 0.6 
Other non -electrical machinery  5.8 7.3 4.2 9.0 3.9 2.6 
Agricultural machines and tractors  0.2 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.1 
Office machines and telecommunications equipment  3.6 4.3 4.7 8.4 5.3 2.7 
Other electrical machines  4.1 3.1 4.4 2.4 2.4 2.0 
Automotive products  6.1 9.6 6.9 6.4 5.8 6.0 
7812 – Motor vehicles for the transport of persons, n.e.s.  2.4 4.9 3.5 3.2 3.2 3.6 
7821 – Motor vehicles for the transport of goods  2.0 1.2 1.7 1.9 1.4 1.3 
Other transport equipment  1.4 1.0 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.0 
Textiles  1.5 3.0 2.3 1.2 1.4 3.3 
Clothing  1.4 1.7 1.3 2.0 2.2 1.6 
Other consumer goods  6.5 6.9 6.2 7.1 7.9 6.9 
Other  0.5 0.4 0.1 0.7 0.1 1.1 
Note:  Based on SITC Rev.3  product classification .  
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations based on data provided by the authorities; and data from the 
UNSD  Comtrade database (SITC Rev.3).   
 WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  Table A1. 3 Merchandise e xports by destination, including re -exports , 201 2-2017  
  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  
Total exports (USD million)  244.8  216.4  155.5  125.6  123.2  141.7  
 % of total 
America  0.5 0.5 0.8 1.3 2.1 1.4 
United States  0.2 0.4 0.5 1.1 1.9 1.2 
Other countries of America  0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 
Europe  31.0 14.2 33.1 26.4 32.8 21.4 
EU (28) 16.1 7.0 17.0 8.1 14.9 15.9 
Germany  2.7 1.7 8.2 1.2 6.0 6.2 
Belgiu m 4.1 2.1 4.2 3.9 5.9 5.4 
United Kingdom  5.8 1.0 1.1 0.5 1.0 3.3 
France  0.2 0.3 0.5 0.6 0.8 0.3 
Romania  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 
EFTA 14.6 7.1 16.1 18.2 17.9 5.5 
Switzerland  14.5 7.1 15.9 18.1 17.8 5.5 
Other countries of Europe  0.4 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Commonwealth of Independent States (C IS) 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 
Africa  19.1 24.5 42.7 49.6 47.2 33.5 
Democratic Republic of the Congo  5.1 6.9 20.1 24.9 22.4 17.0 
Egypt 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.6 
Uganda  2.0 2.8 2.5 3.3 3.2 2.7 
Kenya  6.6 6.3 9.3 11.9 11.7 2.5 
Sudan 0.0 0.7 1.8 2.0 2.0 2.3 
Rwanda  2.7 4.5 4.9 4.7 4.5 1.6 
Tanzania  2.1 1.4 2.0 1.8 1.0 0.9 
Zambi a 0.0 1.6 0.2 0.2 0.6 0.7 
Mauritius  0.0 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.4 0.4 
Togo 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 
Middle East  44.1 56.3 17.7 14.7 14.3 29.2 
United Arab Emirates  43.1 55.5 16.7 12.5 13.0 27.1 
Oman  1.0 0.8 1.0 2.2 1.3 2.1 
Asia 5.1 4.4 5.8 7.9 3.5 14.4 
China  0.7 0.5 1.6 1.6 0.9 1.6 
Japan  0.2 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.1 
Other countries of Asia  4.3 3.7 3.9 6.0 2.5 12.7 
Pakistan  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 9.2 
Singapo re 1.2 2.2 2.7 4.2 1.7 3.2 
Other  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Memorandum:        
East African Communitya 13.5 15.0 18.6 21.8 20.5 7.7 
a Including WTO Members of the EAC .  
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations based on data provided by the authorities; and data from the 
UNSD  Comtrade database.  
 WT/TPR/S/384 /Rev.1  • Burundi  
 
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  Table A1. 4 Origin of i mports, 2012 -2017  
  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  
Total imports (USD million)  798.3  645.8  802.4  730.1  628.3  725.2  
 % of total 
America 5.7 6.5 2.2 2.2 1.9 3.4 
United States  4.2 6.0 1.3 1.5 1.5 2.5 
Other countries of America  1.5 0.5 0.9 0.7 0.4 0.9 
Europe  24.0 26.4 19.2 24.1 19.6 16.2 
EU (28) 21.0 25.1 17.5 23.2 18.3 15.0 
Belgiu m 9.8 9.6 6.6 7.0 4.5 3.9 
France  3.6 3.4 3.6 3.4 4.4 3.7 
Germany  1.9 3.4 1.7 3.1 2.0 1.9 
Denmark  1.2 1.4 1.2 2.1 2.2 1.7 
Netherlands  1.1 3.7 2.0 5.7 1.1 1.2 
United Kingdom  1.2 1.0 0.7 0.8 2.4 0.7 
Italy 1.2 2.0 1.1 0.7 1.0 0.7 
EFTA 0.9 0.6 0.9 0.2 0.7 0.2 
Other countries of Europe  2.1 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.6 1.0 
Turkey 2.0 0.7 0.8 0.7 0.6 1.0 
Commonwealth of Independent States (C IS) 0.9 2.0 2.8 1.0 1.0 1.8 
Russian Federation  0.1 0.4 2.4 0.8 0.9 1.8 
Africa 31.5 33.6 29.5 27.3 31.0 27.5 
Tanzania  6.6 9.2 8.4 7.4 8.2 7.3 
Kenya  5.8 8.4 6.8 6.6 7.6 5.5 
Uganda  5.7 7.1 4.5 5.7 7.2 5.4 
Zambia  4.4 1.9 1.2 1.0 2.6 4.1 
Egypt  1.7 2.6 2.3 1.0 1.2 1.3 
South Africa  4.0 1.6 4.0 3.3 1.2 1.0 
Central African Republic  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 
Rwanda  1.6 1.9 1.3 1.1 2.0 0.9 
Middle East  15.1 7.7 15.5 10.9 10.0 16.5 
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of  10.2 2.8 9.6 5.3 2.9 9.1 
United Arab Emirates  3.6 4.4 5.5 5.4 6.8 7.2 
Asia 22.8 23.7 30.8 34.5 36.6 34.5 
China  9.8 9.8 12.8 13.6 16.6 13.8 
Japan  2.9 2.7 3.3 2.9 3.2 3.5 
Other countries of Asia  10.2 11.3 14.7 18.0 16.8 17.2 
India 8.2 8.9 10.5 10.2 14.1 14.2 
Other  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Memorandum:        
East African Communitya 19.9 26.6 21.0 20.7 25.0 19.1 
a Including WTO Members of the  EAC.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations based on data provided by the authorities; and data from the 
UNSD  Comtrade database.  
 