Sub Saharan Africa

Burundi
Last reviewed: 15 July 2008

Country information

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TRADE AND INVESTMENT

Trade and Investment in the UK

Trade with Burundi is small. From January-November 2006, UK exports to Burundi totalled £0.94 million and imports from Burundi were £0.64 million.

Development

Burundi is one of the poorest countries in the world. Some 68% of the population live below the poverty line with income of less than US$1 per day, and per capita income estimated at $104, well below the pre-war level of $151, and much lower than the current sub-Saharan average of $536. It is near the bottom of the Human Development Index, ranking 169 out of 177 countries. Burundi’s level of foreign debt remains severe, even after relief under the Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative. Burundi’s debt-to-export ratio was expected to fall below 200% in 2006.

United Nations Development Programme

The UK’s bilateral assistance programme to Burundi has grown over recent years, from £3.2m in 2002/3 to £9.5 million in 2005/6 and to £10 million in 2006/2007 which was usede to meet humanitarian needs and aid poverty reduction. The UK has allocated £10 million for 2007/8 for humanitarian needs and delivery of key services, including education and health, in partnership with other donors.

DFID is working with other donors to support Burundi’s first Poverty Reduction Strategy. DFID has sector wide approaches for Health and Education and also for developing a joint £6m Governance Programme with Sida to promote democratic governance over the next 3 years. Burundi is amongst the first countries to benefit from the International Health Partnership which aims to improve the way that international agencies, donors and poor countries work together to develop and implement health plans.

DFID has contributed £30 million to Burundi through the United Nations Peace Building Fund for a three year period.