The Burundian Consumers Association (ABUCO) issued a statement on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, criticizing the poor quality of services from mobile telephony operators in Burundi. ABUCO President Pierre Nduwayo denounced the degradation of telecommunications services and expressed regret over the authorities' lack of effective responses. Subscribers have complained for several months about persistent difficulties with Internet connection and telephone communications. Nduwayo stated, "When you call someone, it frequently happens that the automatic answering machine announces that the subscriber is offline, when they are not actually." This specific example notes the common frustrations experienced by individuals attempting to use their mobile phones for basic communication. ABUCO President Pierre Nduwayo explicitly denounces the poor quality of services offered by mobile telephony operators, emphasizing the widespread nature of the problem. The association regrets the lack of effective responses from authorities regarding this ongoing degradation of telecommunications services.
Rising Costs, Declining Quality
Internet package prices have seen a significant increase across the board, yet the quality of telecommunications services has not improved, according to ABUCO. Consumers are now paying more for services that are deemed less performant and unreliable. In some instances, the cost of megabytes has doubled or even tripled since 2025, placing a heavier financial burden on users. This situation means that subscribers face higher expenses without a corresponding enhancement in service delivery, leading to widespread dissatisfaction. The association points out that despite these rising costs, the service quality has continued its downward trend, failing to meet consumer expectations or needs. Consumers are therefore left in a predicament where they must pay elevated prices for substandard and often unusable services.
History of Unmet Promises
In January 2025, the ministry responsible for telecommunications urged operators to implement measures aimed at improving service quality and accessibility. However, these recommendations have not yielded the anticipated results, and the reported difficulties have progressively worsened over time. The Head of State and several government members have also repeatedly appealed to telecommunications companies to identify sustainable solutions, yet significant changes have not been observed. ABUCO describes the current service degradation as reminiscent of the early 2000s, a period when mobile telephony was still developing in Burundi. The association stresses that these unfulfilled promises and the continuous decline in service quality are unacceptable, especially given the critical role telecommunications play in modern life. The difficulties have worsened over time, indicating a systemic issue that has not been adequately addressed by either the operators or the regulatory bodies.
Widespread Impact and Proposed Solutions
The telecommunications dysfunctions extend beyond individual users, impacting businesses, merchants, administrations, and all actors whose activities depend on digital services. This widespread disruption affects not only individuals but also critically impedes the operations of various sectors, including commerce and public services. To address these widespread issues, the Burundian Consumers Association (ABUCO) proposes organizing "general states of communication." This proposed meeting would convene public authorities, telecommunications operators, regulatory bodies, consumer defense organizations, and other concerned actors. The objective would be to identify the root causes of the sector's difficulties, propose concrete solutions, and ensure consumers receive reliable services at equitable prices. ABUCO emphasizes that improving telecommunications is a major issue for accompanying Burundi's digital transformation, facilitating exchanges, and bolstering economic development. The association firmly believes that such a full dialogue is essential to overcome the current challenges and lay the groundwork for a more strong and responsive telecommunications infrastructure in Burundi.