Starting a business in Burundi: foreigner's guide (2026)

No general statutory cap on foreign equity. The regime explicitly does not discriminate against foreign investors and applies no screening mechanism for inbound investment. Exceptions: arms/military sector is restricted; the mining sector requires at least 10% government equity stake.

Company registration is processed through the ADB (formerly API) one-stop shop in Bujumbura. Steps include: name reservation, drafting articles of association, opening a corporate bank account and depositing share capital, filing with ADB, and obtaining the tax identification number and trade registry certificate. Physical presence of the company representative is required.

A limited liability company (SARL) can be formed with a nominal minimum share capital of US$1, though capital must be deposited in a local bank account. The official registration fee at the ADB one-stop shop is 40,000 BIF (approximately US$21–25).

Under optimal conditions the ADB one-stop shop can process registration in approximately four hours. In practice, delays can extend the process to several weeks, particularly due to bureaucratic inefficiencies and requirements for notarised and French-translated documents.

The 2021 Investment Code raised the minimum qualifying investment for incentive benefits to US$500,000 for projects in Bujumbura and US$250,000 for projects in other localities (up from US$50,000 under the 2008 Code). These thresholds determine eligibility for tax and customs benefits, not the right to register.

Full land ownership is reserved for Burundian nationals; foreigners may only lease land for industrial, commercial, or cultural purposes, with acquisition rights based on bilateral reciprocity. The 2025 U.S. State Department Investment Climate Statement flags corruption, unclear government strategy, power shortages, and high inflation (~39% in early 2025) as material practical obstacles for foreign investors.