Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Burundi
On Monday, January 26, 2026, His Excellency Mr. Edouard BIZIMANA, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Development Cooperation, accompanied by a delegation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), led by Dr. Akihiko TANAKA, President of JICA, visited the Boulevard du Japon.
This visit is part of strengthening the good relations and friendship that exist between the Republic of Burundi and Japan. It evidences Burundi’s active economic diplomacy, stated Minister Bizimana. This road is a kind of link connecting Burundi and Japan and symbolizes the friendship that exists between the two countries.
During this visit, which followed the route “Cathedral Roundabout-Belgian School-Avenue du Large-Tanganyika-Port of Bujumbura”, they found that the section known as the Boulevard du Japon had been damaged due to floods from Lake Tanganyika. This makes the road almost impossible to use.
During his morning visit to the port of Bujumbura, Dr. Akihiko Tanaka, President of JICA, expressed his satisfaction with the significant equipment installed to improve the port. He also got to have a better understanding of the country’s future prospects and development.
Following this visit, Dr. Akihiko Tanaka indicated that in the coming days, Japanese experts will conduct studies to determine the causes of the road closure and the flooding of Lake Tanganyika. The results of these studies will allow for the effective implementation of rehabilitation work on this boulevard.