Burundi is advancing its digital infrastructure with the Projet d’Appui aux Fondations de l’Économie Numérique (PAFEN), a World Bank-financed initiative totaling 92 million USD aimed at expanding internet coverage. The project's recent activities included a full awareness tour across the country, culminating in Bujumbura province. This final stage of the tour followed earlier visits to Butanyerera, Buhumuza, Gitega, and Burunga, where project representatives inspected progress and engaged with local stakeholders. The tour was an integral part of the broader effort to achieve 80% internet connectivity across the country, noting the government and its partners' commitment to a digitally inclusive future for Burundi.
Expanding Rural Connectivity
The Projet d’Appui aux Fondations de l’Économie Numérique (PAFEN) has taken significant steps to bolster connectivity by signing two major contracts with leading telecommunications providers Onatel and Lumitel. These agreements are specifically designed to substantially strengthen rural connectivity across Burundi, addressing the critical need for digital access in underserved areas. The contracts specifically cover lots 1, 2, and 3 of the PAFEN program, delineating the geographical scope and technical requirements for the network expansion.
The primary objective of these contracts is to connect approximately 178 new communes to the 4G Internet network in rural areas. This ambitious expansion is part of a broader strategy to bridge the digital divide and ensure more equitable access to internet services nationwide. It is anticipated that over 800,000 Burundians will directly benefit from this enhanced internet coverage, gaining access to a wealth of online resources and opportunities. The expanded network aims to bring significant improvements to daily life and economic opportunities in previously underserved regions, fostering social and economic development.
Beyond individual users, the initiative also targets critical public services. Schools, hospitals, and other essential public facilities located in rural areas are expected to gain access to high-speed internet. This connectivity is projected to improve educational outcomes by providing students and educators with access to online learning materials and digital tools. It aims to enhance healthcare delivery through telemedicine and improved data management, and streamline administrative processes, contributing to overall socio-economic development in these communities. The project shows a strong commitment to integrating rural Burundi into the digital economy, ensuring that no region is left behind in the country's digital transformation.
Key Project Components
The Projet d’Appui aux Fondations de l’Économie Numérique (PAFEN) is structured around four primary components designed to foster full digital development. These include initiatives for digital access and inclusion, which aim to ensure broad and equitable access to internet services for all citizens. A second component focuses on mechanisms to facilitate digital public service delivery, enabling the government to provide essential services more efficiently through digital platforms. The third component covers institutional coordination and project management, ensuring the effective execution and oversight of the initiative. Finally, an emergency response component is included to address unforeseen challenges and ensure the resilience of the digital infrastructure. These four pillars collectively aim to build a strong and sustainable digital ecosystem in Burundi.
A significant action within the project is the partnership established between PAFEN and the Office burundais des recettes (OBR), also known as the Burundi Revenue Office. This collaboration focuses on developing a platform for the collection of taxes and duties, which is expected to streamline revenue management processes, enhance transparency, and improve the efficiency of financial administration within the country. Additionally, PAFEN provided key funding for the launch of BurundiPay, a platform developed by the Banque de la République du Burundi (Bank of the Republic of Burundi). BurundiPay is designed to facilitate mobile electronic financial transactions, significantly enhancing the country's digital payment infrastructure and promoting financial inclusion. This platform is expected to simplify transactions for individuals and businesses, contributing to the modernization of Burundi's economy.
The project also extends its support to the education sector by backing the BERNET network. This initiative connects fourteen universities across the country to high-speed internet, aiming to improve academic resources and research capabilities. By connecting these institutions, PAFEN seeks to empower students and faculty with better access to online learning materials, global research databases, and opportunities for collaborative projects. This direct investment in educational infrastructure is key for nurturing a knowledge-based economy and preparing the next generation of Burundian professionals. These components collectively demonstrate a multi-faceted approach to integrating digital solutions across various sectors of Burundian society, from governance and finance to education and public services.
Building National Capacity
The Projet d’Appui aux Fondations de l’Économie Numérique (PAFEN) successfully concluded its awareness tour across the five provinces of Burundi on Thursday, May 28, 2026. The tour's primary objective was to ensure administrative authorities and local actors gained a full understanding of the project’s goals and activities. This extensive outreach effort is part of PAFEN's broader strategy to foster widespread engagement and secure local support, which is key for the successful implementation and sustainability of its digital initiatives. By informing and involving local communities, the project aims to create a sense of ownership and collaboration.
PAFEN is also actively supporting the Critical Mass of Professionals Initiative (IMCP), which aims to enhance national project management skills within Burundi. This program is specifically designed to build a skilled workforce capable of driving and sustaining digital development efforts across the country. The IMCP program is currently in its third cohort, providing specialized training to a significant number of young people. Each cohort trains between 100 to 140 individuals, contributing to a growing pool of qualified professionals in Burundi who are equipped with the expertise needed to manage complex digital projects and contribute to the nation's technological advancement. This focus on human capital development is a cornerstone of PAFEN's long-term vision for a digitally empowered Burundi.
Project Goals and Impact
The Projet d’Appui aux Fondations de l’Économie Numérique (PAFEN) primarily aims to increase access to high-speed internet, particularly in underserved areas, thereby ensuring that the benefits of the digital age reach all citizens. The project also focuses on strengthening the Burundian government's capacity to manage resources and deliver digital public services more efficiently and transparently. Through these concerted efforts, the government and its partners intend to extend internet coverage to over 80% of Burundi's territory. This ambitious target reflects a strong national commitment to digital inclusion and economic growth.
During the project's awareness tour, participants did raise pertinent concerns regarding persistent difficulties with internet connectivity in certain localities, noting the ongoing challenges that need to be addressed. Issues with power supply for telecom antennas were also noted as a significant hurdle, emphasizing the need for reliable energy infrastructure to support the expanded network. Participants showed the ongoing need for computers and other end-user devices to fully utilize the expanded network, pointing to the importance of addressing affordability and access to hardware alongside network expansion. These concerns provide valuable feedback, guiding PAFEN's future efforts to ensure that the digital transformation is truly inclusive and effective for all Burundians.
