NTAHANGWA, April 13 (ABP) – The minister of finance, budget and digital economy, Alain Ndikumana, presented on Friday, April 10, 2026, before members of parliament gathered in plenary session, the Multi-year Budgetary and Economic Programming Document (DPBEP) 2026/2027–2028/2029, outlining the main macroeconomic, budgetary, and sectoral developments of the country as well as medium-term prospects.
According to Minister Ndikumana, the global economy continues to evolve in a context marked by persistent geopolitical tensions and profound structural changes. After several successive shocks, notably the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russo-Ukrainian war, and various conflicts in Africa and the Middle East, the year 2025 was characterized by a gradual stabilization of global growth and a decline in inflation. However, uncertainties remain high due to geoeconomic fragmentation, trade tensions, and the high level of global public debt, he deplored.
In this context, global growth moved from 3.5% in 2022 to 3.0% in 2023, before slightly rising to 3.3% in 2024 and then 3.2% in 2025, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Global inflation stood at 5.9% in 2024 before declining to 4.5% in 2025. Commodity prices also followed a downward trend, with an expected 7% decrease in 2025 according to the World Bank, and a continued decline in 2026, marking a fourth consecutive year of decrease. Brent crude is projected at around USD 60 per barrel, while food products and industrial metals continue their correction, with the exception of certain strategic metals and gold, which remains supported by its role as a safe-haven asset, he continued.
At the national level, the minister in charge of Finance indicated that economic activity has evolved within the framework of the National Development Plan (revised PND 2018-2027), aligned with the Vision of Burundi as an emerging country by 2040 and a developed country by 2060. Between 2022 and 2024, economic growth increased from 2.3% to 4.1%, with an average of 3.2%, driven by all production sectors.
The primary sector recorded an average growth of 1.7%, driven by subsistence agriculture, which rose slightly by 0.8%. Export agriculture grew by 7.3%, notably due to coffee, which increased by 26.7%, while tea recorded more moderate growth of 1.5%. Livestock farming showed an average growth of 14.1%, despite health shocks related to Rift Valley fever and a disease affecting pigs, Mr. Ndikumana noted.
Similarly, the secondary sector grew on average by 2.4%, supported by mining (+5.9%) due to reforms in the mining code and monitoring of cooperatives, as well as construction (+4.8%), driven by road, hospital, energy, and water infrastructure. The electricity, gas, and water sector grew by 3.2%, with production estimated at 479.4 GWh, notably thanks to the commissioning of the Ruzibazi, Mubuga, Kabu 16, and Rusumo Falls power plants. Manufacturing recorded growth of 3%, mainly driven by textiles, which increased by 25.7%.
The tertiary sector posted an average growth of 4.7%, driven by telecommunications, banking and insurance, public administration, and social sectors such as education and health. Internet penetration rose from 22.9% to 26%, supported by the implementation of the national digitalization plan. The banking sector benefited from increased lending, foreign exchange revenues, and the digitalization of financial services.
In terms of prices, inflation experienced strong volatility, rising from 18.5% in 2022 to 27.1% in 2023, before declining to 20.2% in 2024 and then rising again to 34.0% in 2025, notably due to increases in the prices of food products, transport, fuel, rents, and restaurant services.
Regarding the external sector, the current account remained in deficit but showed gradual improvement, moving from -16.4% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2022/2023 to -8.4% in 2024/2025. This development is explained by the increase in exports, which rose from 5.5% to 7.7% of GDP, supported by coffee, minerals, beverages, and manufactured products such as soap. At the same time, imports declined as a share of GDP, reaching 21.6% in 2024/2025, compared to over 26% previously, notably due to reduced imports of petroleum products.
Services also contributed to this improvement, with the deficit reduced to 5.1% of GDP in 2024/2025. Secondary income remains in surplus but is relatively declining, while capital transfers remain low due to a low disbursement rate of external financing intended for public projects.
On the monetary front, the M3 money supply increased significantly, rising from 4,921.6 billion BIF in 2022 to 7,475.4 billion in 2025, mainly due to the increase in net domestic assets, while net foreign assets remained negative and deteriorated to -1,606.7 billion BIF in 2025.
Public finances also show a growth dynamic, with revenues increasing by an average of 22.4% over the period 2022/2023-2024/2025. They are expected to reach 6,641.2 billion BIF in 2028/2029, compared to projected expenditures of 8,510.8 billion BIF over the same period. The budget deficit remains but is gradually improving, moving from -7.6% of GDP in 2026/2027 to -5.3% in 2028/2029, while public debt is projected at 9,247.3 billion BIF by 2029.
Furthermore, Minister Ndikumana indicated that economic prospects for the period 2026-2029 are generally favorable, with expected growth of 5.5% in 2026 and an average of 6.8%, supported by all production sectors, economic diversification, and the continuation of structural reforms.
During the discussions, members of parliament raised concerns, particularly regarding the construction of the administrative building intended to house the services of ABREMA, ABREVPA, and BBN, as well as the organization of these services within the new public infrastructures currently under construction.
In response, Minister Ndikumana clarified that this is not a change in direction but rather a gradual adjustment taking into account the recommendations of the National Assembly, the progress of the work, and the technical realities of the ongoing projects. He specified that these recommendations have been integrated and implemented in accordance with the guidance of the elected representatives. Thus, the services of ABREMA and ABREVPA will be grouped within the laboratory complex. Regarding BBN, he revealed that its services will not be integrated into this complex due to the ongoing construction of its own administrative building. However, it is envisaged that once completed, this building could accommodate other public services as part of efforts to optimize state infrastructure.
Finally, Minister Ndikumana emphasized that the document highlights several risks likely to affect economic and budgetary stability, notably macroeconomic risks, public debt, public enterprises, the financial sector, natural resources, as well as the effects of climate change and natural disasters, calling for appropriate mitigation measures.