BUJUMBURA, January 31st (ABP) – The Minister of the Interior, Communal Development and Public Security, Martin Niteretse, and the Minister of Communication, Information Technologies and the Media, Léocadie Ndacayisaba, in the company of the Head of State’s spokesperson, Guilaine Rosine Gatoni, brought together the operators of telecommunications companies working in Burundi in Bujumbura on Tuesday 28 January 2025. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and find solutions to the problems with the mobile network and internet connection provided by those companies. According to a report by the Telecommunications Regulation and Control Agency (ARCT), those companies cover less than 30% of the national territory, even though their contracts state that they must cover the whole of Burundi.
The governors of the various provinces taking part in that meeting also pointed out that the network and Internet connection provided in the interior of the country are very critical, adding that some border localities are even going so far as to pick up other foreign networks due to the lack of a network provided by the companies operating in Burundi.
People in the interior of the country have bought telephones, but they are of little use to them, they pointed out.
They also pointed out that even in localities where the mobile network is available, the recharging units of certain companies such as ONAMOB are rare, which makes communication even more difficult, adding that that situation hampers communication in their provinces, and without communication, it is difficult to ensure security and give timely reports. During the meeting, Minister Ndacayisaba said that the services of those companies had deteriorated in recent days, and that they had not reported anything to either the ARCT or the ministry in charge of ICTs.
She also said that those companies had undertaken to extend the network to their sites, but to no avail. According to the Minister, there is another hidden reason why the situation is as it is. She asked them to show what they planned to do in 3 months’ time to remedy the current situation.
The directors of those telecommunications companies explained that that situation is due mainly to the lack of fuel, the scarcity of foreign currency used to purchase equipment and the electricity supplied by REGIDESO, which is not available to all their sites.
Some of those companies have also pointed out that they are not exempt, and that it is difficult for them to compete with those who are exempt.
At ECONET LEO, it was reported that 48% of revenue goes to taxes, and that the remaining 52% is not enough to invest. Despite that, the Managing Director of ECONET Leo promised that solar panels would soon be installed to power their sites and improve services.
The Director General of ONATEL revealed that within a month he plans to multiply the available internet connection by 3, adding that that connection will also be cheaper.
Minister Martin Niteretse recalled that that year is dedicated to hard work, and therefore called on those companies to work hard for the well-being of the people
He also emphasised that those companies will be given support, and that those that fail to comply with the standards will be banned from operating on Burundian soil, as ‘they will have the evil intention of disrupting the country’s development’, he stressed.
Minister Niteretse also recommended competition between those operators, as he felt that that would encourage good service. He also called on the companies to present their plans immediately, outlining the urgent activities that need to be put in place to remedy the situation.