Burundi has launched a BIF 300 billion ($100.5 million) credit facility through CRDB Bank Burundi to boost investment in agriculture, livestock, agricultural processing and other productive economic activities.
The facility will offer loans at an annual interest rate of 5%, with financing available for agricultural machinery, livestock equipment and other investments aimed at expanding production.
The initiative seeks to address limited access to finance and low productivity in Burundi’s agriculture sector, which contributes 39.6% of GDP, provides 84% of employment and supplies around 95% of the country’s food.
According to the Burundian Finance Ministry, the financing programme complements government efforts to make state-owned land available for productive investment. However, land allocation and credit applications will remain separate processes, with the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Livestock handling land allocation and CRDB Bank Burundi managing financing applications.
The government expects the new facility to increase agricultural production, encourage local processing, create jobs, reduce dependence on food imports and strengthen exports. It builds on other measures, including improved access to seeds and fertilizer subsidies.
Agriculture is also central to Burundi’s long-term development strategy under Vision 2040-2060. The government aims to increase agricultural investment and improve food security while making the sector a stronger driver of economic growth.
The African Development Bank forecasts Burundi’s economy to grow by 4.3% in 2026 and 4.6% in 2027, with agriculture, mining, construction, electricity generation, investment and consumption expected to support growth.
The new credit facility could therefore provide an important boost to agribusiness investment, helping businesses expand production capacity and strengthening Burundi’s agricultural value chain.
