Burundi's mandatory SIM card re-registration deadline passed on June 25, leading to significant disruption across the country. Mobile operator agencies are currently experiencing high demand, resulting in long queues and service disruptions for customers. In several provinces, hundreds of people are queuing for hours, with some individuals spending a full day attempting to re-register their SIM cards without being served. The missed deadline has exacerbated the situation, contributing to the ongoing chaos at registration points and noting the challenges faced by both citizens and service providers.
Mandatory Re-registration Drive
The Agence de Régulation et de Contrôle des Télécommunications (ARCT) launched the re-registration campaign with stated goals of strengthening communication security, better identifying SIM card holders, and cleaning up the telecommunications sector. This initiative was presented as a critical step towards enhancing national digital infrastructure and ensuring accountability within the mobile communication sphere. ARCT issued a communiqué on June 3, 2026, explicitly requiring all mobile operators and SIM card holders to re-register their lines. This re-registration requirement is based on a ministerial order that was signed on January 13, 2026, providing the legal framework for the nationwide exercise.
Following the ARCT's directive, mobile operators subsequently sent SMS reminders to their subscribers, warning that non-re-registered SIM cards risked deactivation. These messages urged users to comply with the new regulations promptly to avoid service interruptions. For the re-registration process, the national identity card is the only accepted document. This strict requirement aims to ensure accurate identification of subscribers, aligning with the campaign's security objectives. If identity cards are illegible, agents require subscribers to obtain a new national identity card before their SIM can be successfully re-registered, adding another layer of complexity for many citizens. This strict adherence to documentation has been a significant point of contention and delay for numerous individuals attempting to complete the process.
Operational Challenges and Delays
Despite the official deadline of June 25 having expired, the SIM card re-registration process remains ongoing across Burundi. This continuation has resulted in a massive influx of customers at the agencies of mobile operators such as Viettel Burundi and Econet Leo. The high demand has also led to the emergence of commissionaires operating near these agencies, who are reportedly charging fees to assist individuals in completing re-registration procedures or expediting their access to queues. These informal services, while offering a perceived shortcut, often come at an additional cost to already burdened subscribers.
Burundi's recent administrative reform, which reduced the number of provinces from 18 to 5 and communes from 119 to 43, has further impacted the situation. This reform has reorganized administrative services, contributing to lengthened processing times for official documents required for re-registration. The changes in administrative structures appear to have added another layer of complexity to an already strained system, as citizens navigate new administrative boundaries and potentially fewer local service points to acquire necessary identification. This confluence of factors has significantly exacerbated the logistical challenges inherent in a mass re-registration effort.
Subscriber Dissatisfaction and Demands
Some subscribers have reported temporary interruptions of communication services occurring during the re-registration procedure, adding to their frustration and inconvenience. Despite the official deadline, Agence de Régulation et de Contrôle des Télécommunications (ARCT) Director General Samuel Muhizi announced that the re-registration operation would continue beyond June 25, 2026. This extension acknowledges the widespread difficulties faced by the public and operators alike. Mr. Muhizi also issued instructions to mobile operators, directing them not to deactivate SIM cards for subscribers who had not yet completed the required formality, providing a temporary reprieve for many.
The ongoing campaign has noted the limited capacity of operators to manage such a large-scale mobilization effort. The sheer volume of people needing to re-register within a relatively short timeframe, coupled with the stringent documentation requirements and administrative hurdles, has overwhelmed existing resources. In response, subscribers are calling for increased staffing at registration points, the establishment of more re-registration centers across all provinces and communes, and improved organizational efficiency to address the current bottlenecks. They also demand that future operations of this magnitude be better prepared, featuring fluid procedures, sufficient resources, and adapted deadlines to prevent similar disruptions and minimize the impact on essential communication services. The experience has showed the critical need for full planning and adequate infrastructure when implementing nationwide regulatory changes affecting millions of citizens.
