Burundi is located at a strategic position with regard to the different economic communities (CEAC, COMESA, CEPGL, EAC) and currently, most of imported or exported goods are transported by road. It is at this stage that Burundi strives to serve as a central point in the trade of the sub region (goods from Kenyan or Tanzanian ports to the eastern part of the DRC).
Internal transport of goods and persons:
At the time being, the Government transport company (OTRACO) caters for the public transport in the city as well as in the countryside. OTRACO has also created transport lines for persons travelling to Kigali, Kampala and Dar es Salaam.
Nevertheless, private sector transport agencies are playing a great role in the public transport.
There are sub-regional companies that have already invested in the public transport market by bus from Bujumbura to Kigali, Kampala, Nairobi and Dar es Salaam. Many more opportunities in this sector are available and promising.
The transportation of goods is considered as a large market. Burundi has to import a lot of commodities via the ports of Dar es Salaam and Mombasa, therefore:
- Large trucks in good condition are needed in order to drive through though landscape of hills;
- Refrigerated trucks are needed for the transportation of the fishery products;
- Cold rooms are needed for the storage of fruits and vegetables.
Lake transport
Burundi is aiming to make the port of Bujumbura a large business centre with a station and a connection to the railway network. The port of Bujumbura, dredged with the support of Belgium, allows large ships to dock. This is an indication of consistent investment for the country to have a national hinterland.
Investment opportunities
- Strengthening safety on the lake through communication development of the civil protection assistance,
- Improving the automated loading system at the port of Bujumbura and its expansion to accommodate large container ships and other passenger vessels,
- Modernizing the ports of Bujumbura and Rumonge,
- Installation of a cold chain at the port of Bujumbura,
- Improving the transport services for people and goods on the Lake Tanganyika.
Air transport
Burundi’s national airline Company ‘Air Burundi’ (currently without active aircraft) has the traffic rights to many African and European cities. Air Burundi sells flight tickets and assists passengers in procedures for boarding at Bujumbura International Airport. Air Burundi is seeking to purchase aircraft under the leasing system.
The public company SOBUGEA deals with the ground assistance of passengers and aircrafts and cargo jets (loading, unloading, storage). This large company needs capital and equipment for expansion.
Interested investors could contact the SOBUGEA Management for partnerships (opportunities to become partners).
Air transport opportunities
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Untapped links in the sub-region (Tanzania, Uganda, DRC and Zambia);
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Rehabilitation and expansion of runways, control tower and terminal;
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Setting up of a cold chain system at the Bujumbura International airport