Investment Opportunities in Burundi -2025
Burundi, located in the heart of East Africa, is an emerging market with significant investment potential across several sectors. Despite its small size, the country offers a wealth of untapped natural resources, a strategic location with access to regional markets, and a growing demand for infrastructure and services. Burundi is actively pursuing economic reforms to foster a favorable environment for local and foreign investments.
Key Investment Sectors
- Agriculture and Agribusiness: Agriculture is the backbone of Burundi's economy, with coffee, tea, and cotton being the primary exports. Investment opportunities exist in coffee processing, tea production, and crop diversification such as horticulture, floriculture, and livestock farming.
- Mining and Natural Resources: Burundi is rich in untapped mineral resources, including nickel, cobalt, gold, and tin. The mining sector presents lucrative opportunities in exploration, extraction, and beneficiation of minerals.
- Tourism: Burundi's natural beauty, including Lake Tanganyika, national parks, and wildlife, presents an opportunity for the development of eco-tourism, hospitality, and adventure tourism services.
- Infrastructure and Construction: Burundi’s growing population and need for urbanization create investment opportunities in housing, roads, energy infrastructure, and water supply. The government encourages investment in both rural and urban infrastructure development.
- Energy and Power: Burundi has significant potential for renewable energy sources such as hydro, solar, and biomass. Investments in energy production, distribution, and energy-efficient technologies are highly encouraged.
- Manufacturing: With an emphasis on industrialization, there are opportunities in textile manufacturing, food processing, beverages, and consumer goods production. Burundi is looking to attract investors who can add value to locally produced raw materials.
- ICT and Technology: As internet penetration increases, there are growing opportunities for investments in mobile services, fintech, e-commerce, software development, and tech infrastructure.
Why Invest in Burundi?
- Strategic location in East Africa with access to the East African Community (EAC) market.
- Agricultural potential, particularly in coffee and tea production.
- Availability of untapped natural resources, including minerals like nickel and gold.
- Government reforms to encourage private sector investment and improve the business climate.
- Investment incentives in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and tax exemptions for certain sectors.
Investment Incentives
Burundi offers several incentives to foreign investors, including reduced customs duties, tax exemptions for manufacturing activities, and investment allowances. The government also provides access to land in designated industrial zones for specific investment projects.
Key Investment Promotion Contact
Burundi Investment Promotion Authority (API)
Website: www.api.bi
Email: info@api.bi
Tel: +257 22 25 90 10