Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Burundi
On Friday, November 21, 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration, and Development Cooperation, Ambassador Edouard Bizimana, opened the Round Table of Business Leaders of the East African Business Council with the East African Community, organized by the East African Business Council (EABC), in collaboration with the Burundi Federal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CFCIB) and in partnership with the Secretariat of the East African Community (EAC), at the King’s Conference Center in Bujumbura. The central theme of this roundtable was: “Seizing opportunities for growth in intra- and extra-East African Community trade and investment.”
In his speech, Ambassador Edouard Bizimana, on the behalf of the Government of Burundi, welcomed all participants to the meeting. He expressed his gratitude towards His Excellency President Evariste Ndayishimiye for his commitment to improving trade facilitation, supporting private sector growth, and boosting regional value chains for the development of Burundi’s trade and investment partnerships within the East African Community.
The East African Community offers key opportunities for Burundi and the region, particularly in the agriculture and horticulture, manufacturing, services, and investment sectors. However, challenges remain, including non-tariff barriers, restrictions on trade in services, inconsistent application of the Common External Tariff, and gaps in transport and logistics, which continue to hamper regional trade.
Minister Edouard Bizimana emphasized that, through structured dialogue, these obstacles can be removed. He also called on the private sector to continue to play its essential role, not only through investment, production, and trade, but also by advocating for practical, evidence-based solutions that the government can support and implement in order to achieve the goals of the vision of an emerging Burundi by 2040 and a developed Burundi by 2060. Finally, on behalf of the Government of Burundi, he reaffirmed strong support for businesses throughout the region, the EABC, and the Secretariat of the East African Community in continuing this structured dialogue.
This meeting was organized to identify and remove the main barriers to trade and investment faced by businesses in the East African Community region, in order to strengthen competitiveness and take advantage of opportunities for growth in trade and investment within and outside the East African Community.
All speakers, presenters, and panelists discussed the improvement of industrial development and investment in Burundi and the region, while avoiding discrimination in order to promote the liberalization of trade. The Permanent Secretary in charge of EAC affairs, Mr. Séverin Mbarubukeye, supported the idea by emphasizing that all the people of Burundi and the region must redouble their efforts and work together to produce more in order to achieve the country’s vision.
The meeting concluded with the presentation of certificates to representatives of exemplary companies that are working in accordance with an agreement signed with the partner country to implement the country’s vision.
