Burundi
Capital: Gitega (political)
Population
Approximately 13.2 million (2023 estimate)
Area
27,834 km²
GDP
$3.2 billion (2024)
Bordering Countries
3
Overview
East-Central Africa, bordered by Rwanda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo
Burundi is a small, densely populated landlocked country reliant on coffee and tea exports. It faces extreme poverty, food insecurity, and high inflation, with agriculture employing most of the population.
Bordering Countries: Rwanda, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo
Economic Profile
Primary Exports
Coffee and tea (90% of foreign exchange earnings)
Key Industries
Agriculture (50% of GDP), subsistence farming
Main Trade Partners
Regional neighbors, coffee and tea importers
Economic Challenges
High poverty (80% below poverty line), food insecurity, chronic malnutrition, high inflation (nearly 40% early 2025), landlocked and resource-poor
Trade & Transit Infrastructure
Main Transit Corridors
Routes through Tanzania to Dar es Salaam; routes through Rwanda and Uganda to Mombasa
Key Border Crossing Points
Gatumba (DRC), Kobero (Tanzania), Ruhwa (Rwanda)
Port Access
Tanzanian and Kenyan ports
Transport Infrastructure Quality
Poor road and rail infrastructure
Trade & Transit Challenges
High transport costs, border delays, security concerns, dependence on neighbors
Key Statistics & Indicators
National Trade & Development Strategies
National Development Plan 2020-2025: infrastructure development, agricultural productivity, trade facilitation aligned with EAC
Ongoing and Planned Projects
Transport corridor improvements, border post upgrades, energy projects (new power plants), food security programs