With a surface area of 27,830 sq km, an estimated population of 11.5 million inhabitants, and a landlocked territory, Burundi faces economic challenges including high transport costs, a high trade deficit, and a narrow export base. Burundi’s economy is heavily reliant on the agricultural sector, which, despite the paucity of arable land, employs 80% of the population

GDP growth improved to an estimated 3.8% in 2018, following a 0.2% contraction in 2017. This slight recovery in GDP was due to resurgence in the services sector (7.4%) and increased production of key export items such as coffee and tea. Manufacturing and agro-processing also contributed to the recovery by growing at 3.2%.

Economic growth is projected to continue at a slower pace— 0.4% in 2019 and 1.2% in 2020. 

Burundi’s most vulnerable in society remain at risk as the economy slowly stabilises. Private sector investment and more inclusive trading opportunties are needed for continued growth. Whilst improvements have been made in connecting Burundi to the region through the Northern and Central corridors, a supply response is in need of improvement. TMA has adopted a market-integrated approach to economic development to address this contraint. The programme in Burundi focuses on investments in high potential areas and offer a mechanism for supporting vulnerable groups that have been socio-economically disadvantaged as a result of past political instability, thus integrate them into regional trade players.

Women’s economic empowerment remains a key cross-cutting issue. In line with TMA’s strategy, we deliver programming based on a short term, medium term and long term approach.

In the short term,the programme leans towards private sector driven projects. Over the medium term, should the country macro-economic and governance structure stabilise, the programme shall strongly re-engage with wider public sector entities and diversify its portfolio by investing in trade facilitation measures.