Meeting between Burundi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and the AfCFTA delegation

On August 3, 2026, His Excellency Ambassador Édouard Bizimana, Burundi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration, and Development Cooperation, received a delegation from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), led by its Secretary General, Mr. Wamkele Mene, as part of a working visit.

Discussions focused on topics of mutual interest, particularly the effective implementation of the AfCFTA in Burundi, one of the African Union’s priority areas during Burundi’s chairmanship of the continental organization.

Secretary General Wamkele Mene welcomed Burundi’s ratification of the AfCFTA’s legal instruments in 2025, which paves the way for taking advantage of the opportunities offered by this platform. He noted that Burundi’s membership in COMESA and the East African Community (EAC) is a major asset for regional economic integration. He also indicated that his institution is working to identify sectors with investment potential, in collaboration with African commercial banks, to enable Burundi to acquire stakes in these financial institutions. Furthermore, the AfCFTA aims to strengthen ties between Burundi’s private sector and those of other countries in the region.

Taking the floor, Minister Édouard Bizimana expressed his gratitude for the visit, which he described as important for Burundi. He praised the projects led by the AfCFTA, particularly the development of strategic infrastructure such as the railway connecting Burundi to neighboring countries and improved access to regional ports—initiatives that will facilitate trade connectivity and economic integration.

Minister Bizimana expressed his satisfaction to the fact that Burundi has already ratified the AfCFTA instruments, unlike some member states that have not yet done so, thereby demonstrating the country’s commitment to continental integration.

He emphasized, however, that the security situation in eastern DRC remains a major obstacle to the effective implementation of the AfCFTA, noting that without security, peace, and stability, the projects under this pan-African initiative cannot fully move forward.

In conclusion, the Minister assured the delegation that Burundi will spare no effort to move forward together with the other member states, in the spirit of solidarity and cooperation that underpins the AfCFTA.