The Agence de développement du Burundi (ADB) held a press briefing on Friday, August 21, 2026, to outline its strategic priorities for enhancing Burundi's economy. The briefing served as a key platform to inform the media about the ADB's main achievements during the recently concluded 2025-2026 fiscal year and to detail its perspectives and planned initiatives for the upcoming 2026-2027 fiscal year. A major focus for the ADB is improving the business climate within the country, a foundational element for sustainable economic growth. This effort includes the digitalization of its services, which the agency views as a key step toward streamlining processes, increasing efficiency, and fostering a more attractive environment for investors and entrepreneurs. The ADB emphasized that these internal reforms are integral to its broader mission.
Fiscal Year Achievements
During the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the Agence de développement du Burundi (ADB) reported significant progress in formalizing economic activities and attracting investment. The agency registered 15,985 individuals and 10,393 companies, contributing to a more structured and traceable economic landscape. Beyond mere registration, the ADB also processed 39 companies that received an approval (agrément), which grants them specific advantages under Burundi's Investment Code. These approvals are strategically designed to stimulate economic activity within the country by offering incentives that encourage both local and foreign capital injection.
A detailed breakdown of the approved companies revealed that 90% are owned by Burundian investors, showing the strong role of domestic entrepreneurship in the nation's economic development. Foreign investors own the remaining 10% of these approved enterprises, indicating a growing, albeit nascent, interest from international capital. These approved companies collectively plan an impressive investment volume totaling 872 billion Burundian francs, a substantial sum poised to energize various sectors of the economy. This planned investment is projected to contribute significantly to job creation, with clear plans for the establishment of 2,463 permanent jobs across these enterprises. The ADB noted these figures as tangible indicators of progress in both formalizing the economy and successfully attracting investment, aligning with national development objectives.
Strategic Vision and Priorities
The Agence de développement du Burundi (ADB) has explicitly aligned its strategic ambitions with Burundi's overarching Vision 2040-2060. This ambitious national vision prioritizes the private sector as a primary engine for economic growth, job creation, and broader structural transformation within the country. To support these critical goals, the ADB has initiated full efforts to enhance Burundi's appeal to investors, both domestically and internationally. The agency has diligently developed a country marketing strategy specifically designed to attract and secure both domestic and foreign capital. A key component of this strategy involves establishing a clear and compelling brand image for Burundi, moving beyond traditional perceptions. The ADB is actively working on a rigorous process to identify and define this national brand, aiming to communicate Burundi's unique economic advantages and investment opportunities effectively to a global audience.
Collaboration and Outlook
The press briefing served as a vital opportunity to update media on the Agence de développement du Burundi's (ADB) key accomplishments from the 2025-2026 fiscal year, showcasing concrete results and progress. During the event, the ADB also outlined its strategic outlook and planned initiatives for the upcoming 2026-2027 fiscal year, providing transparency regarding its future direction. This proactive communication effort is part of the agency's broader strategy to enhance transparency and foster deeper engagement with all stakeholders regarding its key role in Burundi's economic development. The ADB emphasized its unwavering commitment to fostering a more attractive investment climate and driving formalization within the economy, anticipating continued progress and positive impact in these key areas in the years to come.