Burundi's central bank, the Banque de la République du Burundi (BRB), has not provided updated figures to monitor the revenue generated from mineral convoys, raising concerns about transparency. This lack of communication from the BRB comes as authorities have stated that mineral exploitation is intended to help alleviate domestic shortages of fuel, medicine, and foreign currency within the country. The contribution of mineral exports to Burundi's economy, particularly in addressing these critical needs, remains under scrutiny without current data from the BRB. The absence of clear financial reporting from the central bank makes it difficult to assess the actual impact of these mining operations on the national economy and its foreign currency reserves.
Export Volumes and Stated Goals
President Évariste Ndayishimiye described minerals as "a field ready to be harvested and belonging to all Burundians" ("un champ prêt à être récolté et qui appartient à tous les Burundais") at the launch of the first convoy. This statement showed the government's intention to leverage mineral resources for national benefit. Revenues generated from mining operations reportedly enabled the acquisition of two processing machines for the country, marking a significant investment in the sector. One machine is dedicated to titanium processing with a capacity of 100 tons per hour, while the other handles coltan, wolframite, and cassiterite at a capacity of 4 tons per hour. These acquisitions were presented as tangible outcomes of the mineral export strategy.
Mineral shipments have continued steadily since their inception. On October 7, 2025, 260 tons of green quartz and amethyst were dispatched to China. Later that month, on October 27, 2025, an additional 175 tons of 3T minerals were shipped, further demonstrating the ongoing export activities. A larger consignment followed on November 14, 2025, consisting of 400 tons of titanium, beryllium, amethyst, and rare earths. Further expeditions took place in 2026, including 650 tons in February, 300 tons in March, 1,500 tons in May, 416 tons in July, and 516 tons in September. These consistent shipments highlight the volume of minerals leaving the country, yet the financial returns remain largely opaque.
Conflicting Revenue Figures
On November 20, 2025, President Évariste Ndayishimiye announced that more than six million dollars were anticipated from mineral exports to China, though the Banque de la République du Burundi (BRB) had not yet received these specific revenues. Instead of providing updated figures on repatriated foreign currency, Minister Hassan Kibeya, who is responsible for mines, emphasized investments being made in the mining sector, such as the processing machines. This focus on investment rather than direct revenue figures added to the lack of clarity regarding foreign currency inflows.
The BRB Governor, Édouard Normand Bigendako, reported that mining exports generated over 35 million dollars during the fourth quarter of 2025. Gold contributed significantly to this total, accounting for 27.842 million dollars from 200.04 kg exported. Other minerals brought in an additional 7.353 million dollars during the same period. These figures, while specific, offered only a partial view of the overall revenue. On March 27, 2026, former presidential spokesperson Rosine Guilène Gatoni provided a different figure, stating that mining operations generated over 96 million dollars between September 2025 and February 2026. She added that more than 90 million dollars of this total had been paid into the public treasury, further complicating the financial picture with varying reports from different government sources. The discrepancies between these official statements have fueled public and expert concern.
Calls for Transparency and Accountability
Following the last recorded mineral convoy on September 7, Iwacu contacted the Banque de la République du Burundi (BRB) for clarification on repatriated foreign currency, but the bank declined to comment. This refusal to provide information has exacerbated concerns about financial transparency. Faustin Ndikumana, director of Parcem, stated that the foreign currency revenues are not known or communicated. "Les rentrées en devises ne sont pas connues ou communiquées," Ndikumana said. He added that the way Burundi manages its mineral exports raises many questions, and media coverage of convoys is insufficient for true transparency.
Ndikumana called for independent expertise to establish the actual quantities of minerals exported, based on customs and export service documents. He also urged for the publication of the concentration degree of exported minerals and verification against international market prices, which would allow for a more accurate assessment of their value. To ensure accuracy, Ndikumana advocated for a reconciliation process between Burundian customs data and data from importer countries to verify both volumes and revenues, a standard practice in international trade to prevent illicit financial flows. He deplored the absence of regular reports from the Central Bank regarding these financial transfers, emphasizing that such reports are key for public accountability. Ndikumana further called on the government to accelerate its adherence to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) to improve oversight and ensure that the benefits of natural resources are shared equitably and transparently. "La société civile, nous allons commencer à crier haut et fort pour que cette denrée puisse commencer à donner des retombées positives," he affirmed, emphasizing the urgent need for positive returns for the nation from its valuable mineral wealth.