Key policies and governance approach

Although the green economy is not yet a reality in practice, Burundi’s resolve to move towards a green economy is enshrined in the county’s Vision 2025 and in its Nationally Determined Contribution, which aims to achieve low carbon development [7], [8].

The Vision Burundi 2025 aims to achieve an economic growth rate of 10% by 2025, and describes the actions and goals that the government will take to ensure the sustainable development of Burundi. To achieve this goal, Burundi intends to broaden and diversify the productive base by, in particular, increasing the capacities that contribute to the sectors promoting growth while enhancing the participation of the private sector and the diversification of employment and income opportunities. Regarding the energy sector, the Vision aims to reduce wood burning for heating and cooking in households; and promote and deploy renewable technologies to provide the population with better quality of energy, minimize health hazards and reduce the deforestation process [3].

In support of Burundi’s Vision 2025, the country’s National Development Plan (NDP) 2018-2027 aims to structurally transform the Burundian economy for robust, sustainable, resilient, inclusive growth, creating decent jobs for all and leading to improved social welfare [9]. It provides a cohesive development framework for all sectoral policies and strategies and reflects the Government’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development [10]. In addition, it is also the document on which the development of the Energy sector is based [8].

Successes and remaining challenges

There has been significant national and international efforts to improve Burundi’s economic position, including through the implementation of the country’s NDP. However, Burundi’s economy remains weak, though the country has been able to achieve some results in terms of basic social services and women’s political participation.

Despite these results, the country still faces many challenges related to the transformation of its economy, including corruption and a weak legal system, limited economic growth depressed by unproductive agriculture, lack of diversification, minimal fiscal space, limited access to energy and finance, skills shortages, the small formal labour market, and an underdeveloped private sector which lacks organisation [3].

Initiatives and Development Plans

KAZE Green Economy (KAGE) Ltd is a social enterprise promoting green economy in Burundi. KAGE produces innovative eco-friendly charcoal mainly from corn stalks and other biodegradable waste, with the aim of reducing deforestation. The team collects maize stalks from households, dumps, and other such areas, to produce the Kabiof Charcoal, which is an odourless coal that does not emit smoke. With six employees, the company now produces between 300 and 400 kilograms of coal per day. But founder Delphin Kaze, hopes that with the arrival of modern machinery and access to electricity, his company will be able to increase production to ultimately satisfy the entire demand of the Burundian market [11], [12].

Burundi has set the target to increase the national rate of access to electricity to 30% by 2030, which will require the development of the renewable energy sector, particularly solar and hydroelectric. In 2019, the European Union committed funds to facilitate the development of energy projects in Burundi, supported by the private sector. As part of this commitment, GET.invest Burundi was officially launched in October 2021. It builds on the services of the broader GET.invest programme for unlocking financing for sustainable energy projects and businesses, tailored to the national context. GET.invest Burundi works closely with the EU-funded impact investment facility EDFI ElectriFI and with the national association Burundi Renewable Energy Association – BUREA [13].