The National Assembly convened a plenary session on Monday, August 10, 2026, to review the nation's economic health. The session, held at the National Assembly, saw lawmakers focusing on examining several reports from the Bank of the Republic of Burundi (BRB) concerning economic conjuncture indicators. These full BRB reports analyzed performance and identified challenges across key sectors, including agriculture, industry, foreign trade, and public finance. They also delved into the state of the monetary and banking sectors within Burundi, providing a detailed overview of the nation's financial landscape.
Economic Performance Reports Presented
The first report presented to the National Assembly covered Banque de la république du Burundi (BRB) indicators for October and December 2025. This report was presented by Deputy Célestin Niyonsaba, who serves as the president of the permanent commission for good governance and privatization. The report detailed the evolution of various critical economic metrics, including production, prices, foreign trade, exchange rates, public finance, the monetary sector, interest rates, and banking sector solidity. During the period of October and December 2025, coffee and tea production saw an increase, indicating positive trends in these vital agricultural exports. However, industrial production registered a decrease, a downturn primarily attributed to underperformance in chemical industries. This specific decline noted areas requiring further attention and strategic intervention.
A second report analyzed BRB indicators for the end of January 2026. This report indicated that coffee and tea production at the end of January 2026 decreased compared to the same period the previous year, suggesting a potential shift in agricultural output. The third report analyzed BRB indicators for the end of February 2026. Its analysis specifically compared Burundi's economic and financial situation between February 2025 and February 2026, offering a year-on-year perspective. The BRB note within this report indicated a decrease in green leaf tea production by the Office du thé du Burundi (OTB). This decline in green leaf tea production was a significant concern, as production forecasts for tea were not met due to insufficient labor for harvesting. The report also noted that some tea growers have abandoned or uprooted their plantations, exacerbating the production challenges.
Commission Analysis and Recommendations
Ernest Niyokindi, president of the permanent commission for political, administrative, foreign relations, and East African Community affairs, presented the second report to the National Assembly. Pacifique Ndihokubwayo, vice-president of the permanent commission for education, youth, sports, leisure, culture, and communication, presented the third report. The commission responsible for analyzing these reports convened on June 15, 17, and 18, 2026, to meticulously review the economic indicators for February 2026. This thorough review process allowed for a deep dive into the data and trends. Following its analysis, the commission issued specific recommendations concerning the tea sector, recognizing its importance to the national economy. Specifically, the commission recommended strengthening mechanization in the tea sector to improve efficiency and output. It also advised implementing incentive measures for tea growers, suggesting an approach similar to those already in place for coffee growers, to address challenges in production and encourage cultivation. These recommendations aim to revitalize the struggling tea industry.
Legislative Preparations and Context
The session was presided over by First Vice-President Fabrice Nkurunziza. Mr. Nkurunziza stated that examining these reports enables deputies to better understand the situation of the national economy. He explained, "l’examen de ces rapports permet aux députés de mieux comprendre la situation des différents secteurs de l’économie nationale," emphasizing the importance of informed decision-making. This understanding is intended to assist deputies in preparing pertinent questions for government members during open sessions. Mr. Nkurunziza further emphasized, "Cette compréhension, a-t-il souligné, devrait leur permettre de mieux préparer les questions à adresser aux membres du gouvernement lors des séances consacrées aux questions ouvertes aux ministres," noting the practical application of the economic review. Earlier, on Friday, August 7, 2026, the deputies had adopted the parliamentary commission's activity calendar, setting the stage for these important economic discussions.