BUJUMBURA, February 27th (ABP) – Prices of foodstuffs, other products and rents are rising sharply in Bujumbura Mayorship, ABP observed on Thursday 27 February 2025 during a tour of various localities in Bujumbura Mayorship.
At the market commonly known as “COTEBU” and in the shops visited, some shopkeepers explained that this vertiginous rise was mainly due to the massive influx of Congolese refugees into Burundi, particularly in localities in the Bujumbura Mayorship, to the increase in demand for essential goods, leading to a rise in prices on local markets, also affecting the purchasing power of other goods and services of Burundians.
By way of illustration, the price of local rice, which used to fetch BIF 4,800 per kg, has risen to between 5,500 BIF and 6,000 BIF per kg. The price of peas is currently between 7,000 and 7,500 BIF per kg, an increase of 1,500 BIF per kg since peas used to cost 6,000 BIF.
Thérence Niyonkuru, a charcoal seller in the Buyenzi area, told ABP that charcoal prices have also risen: a bag of charcoal that used to cost 120,000 BIF now costs 150,000 BIF. Not long ago, you could buy a small pile of coal for 1,000 Bubu, but now it costs 2,000 Bubu. Niyonkuru attributes this rise in charcoal prices to the difficulties being experienced throughout the supply chain as a result of the fuel supply challenges.
The rise is having an even greater impact on rents. Some of the tenants have expressed their discontent, pointing out that the owners of the houses are taking advantage of this massive influx of Congolese refugees to raise the rents considerably. “The new arrivals, who are often unaware of the usual rates or have foreign currency at their disposal, accept these increases without negotiation. This rise in rents is particularly affecting Burundian residents, who are struggling to keep up with the soaring prices,” lamented the tenants we met. One owner of houses for rent told ABP on condition of anonymity that a small room previously rented at 40,000 BIF a month was now being offered at 180,000 BIF, “with Congolese tenants often paying a 12-month advance without hesitation”.
On the other hand, according to some sources, some landlords are even seeking to evict Burundian tenants and replace them with Congolese, who are able to pay higher amounts in advance. The landlords say that this situation is creating tensions and increasing economic hardship for the local people. They are calling on the Burundian government to do its utmost to regulate this sector in the interests of the Burundian people.
Burundi continues to receive Congolese refugees, with the government planning to gradually relocate them to the Musenyi camp in Rutana province.