Burundi is exploring partnership opportunities with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for the implementation of projects. A delegation from the World Bank branch focused on private sector financing in developing countries discussed the issue with the Burundian Executive Secretariat for Information and Communication Technologies (SETIC) on Monday, February 10.
This rapprochement can be part of Burundi’s vision of becoming an emerging country by 2040 and a developed country by 2060, with digital technology as a key lever for development. The government wants the country to benefit from “a real technological leap likely to improve its economic growth by allowing the development of activities in a secure legal framework, using ICT.”
Last January, the Senate unanimously adopted the bill ratifying the East African Community (EAC) protocol on ICT networks, paving the way for enhanced cooperation with countries in the sub-region to accelerate the development of the digital sector. The country signed a memorandum of understanding with Vietnam in November 2024 to deepen their collaboration in this area. A Digital Economy Foundations Support Project (PAFEN), funded to the tune of $92 million by the World Bank, had already been launched in September 2024.
Burundi is ranked 46th out of 47 African countries according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) ICT Development Index 2024 with a score of 24.4 out of 100. The institution estimates the internet penetration rate in the country at 19%, compared to 8.3% for mobile broadband and 25.6% for mobile telephony. In addition, only 50.6% of the population is at least covered by 3G, compared to 32.2% for 4G. Regarding digital transformation, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) ranks Burundi among the countries with a low e-Government Development Index (EGDI) with a score of 0.2480 out of 1, while the world average is 0.6382.
It is important to note, however, that the details of the projects discussed between SETIC and IFC remain unknown. At this stage, no official agreement has been signed or even announced, leaving the scope and concrete implications of this potential collaboration pending.
Source: extensia.tech
