Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Burundi
On Tuesday, 22 September 2026, a supervisory activity was held in Bujumbura to assess the implementation of the integration of EAC payment and settlement systems and its contribution to promoting public financial management and accountability in Partner States.The important activity brought together a ten-member delegation from the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), led by Hon. Saïd KIBEYA.
Hon. Saïd KIBEYA commended the decision of the Accounts Committee to undertake this oversight activity, noting that it provides an important opportunity to take stock of the progress made, share experiences, and identify areas requiring oversight in the implementation of the integration of EAC payment and settlement systems.
In his remarks, Mr. Aimé NKURUNZIZA, Director General in charge of the EAC Programme, who represented the Government of Burundi at the activity, stated that the integration of payment and settlement systems is an important component of the EAC integration agenda, particularly in the context of the gradual development of the East African Monetary Union.
Efficient, secure and interoperable payment systems are essential for facilitating trade and investment within the EAC, strengthening financial integration, and reducing the costs and delays associated with cross-border transactions.
From Burundi’s perspective, the implementation of the EAC security and safety initiative is particularly relevant to the country’s efforts to strengthen financial connectivity with other Partner States and facilitate cross-border economic activities. It also provides an opportunity to improve the efficiency, transparency and reliability of financial transactions involving public institutions and other economic actors.
The objectives of this oversight activity are therefore of great importance. In particular, assessing the operational status and performance of the Payment and Settlement Systems Initiative (PSSI), its contribution to public financial management and transparency, as well as progress made in harmonizing financial policies, legislation and regulatory frameworks, will provide a better understanding of the current state of regional integration of payment systems.
Burundi recognizes that the successful regional integration of payment systems requires not only appropriate technological infrastructure, but also harmonized legal and regulatory frameworks, effective oversight mechanisms, adequate cybersecurity and business continuity measures, as well as sufficient technical capacity among the institutions concerned.
Continued cooperation among Partner States, national central banks, financial institutions and the EAC Secretariat remains essential. Sharing experiences and coordinated action will be particularly important in addressing interoperability challenges, strengthening supervisory capacity, and ensuring the security and resilience of payment infrastructure.
The Government of Burundi attaches great importance to the EAC integration agenda and remains committed to contributing to initiatives that promote deeper financial and economic integration within the Community.