The ‘Palais des Congrès’ in Bujumbura is hosting a major gathering of international investors and development partners this week, with Burundi’s government highlighting the country’s potential for economic growth and its ambitious Vision 2040-2060 plan.
President Evariste Ndayishimiye welcomed the investors and partners, presenting Burundi as a land rich in natural resources and opportunities. Speaking at the opening of the event, he described Burundi as “the land of a thousand and one hills” and “the land of milk and honey,” inviting attendees to explore the country’s potential.
“The Burundi of Vision 2040-2060 shows its true colors,” Ndayishimiye said, referring to the country’s long-term plan for transformation. He expressed optimism that, through partnerships with foreign investors, Burundi can become a developed nation in the coming decades.
Burundi’s Vision 2040-2060 aims to harness the country’s abundant natural assets — including the longest river in the world after the Amazon and the deepest lake in the world after Lake Baikal — to fuel economic development. The government is focusing on sectors such as agriculture, energy, and mining as part of its strategy to attract investment and drive growth.
While the government’s goals are ambitious, there are challenges ahead. Burundi remains one of the poorest countries in Africa, and issues such as infrastructure deficits and a history of political instability have presented hurdles to development in recent years. The government has made efforts to stabilize the country since the end of its civil war in 2005, but concerns about governance and human rights remain among some international observers.
Despite these challenges, the gathering at the Kigobe Congress Center signals the government’s commitment to attracting global investment. The event has drawn a diverse group of investors, who are being encouraged to partner with Burundi in the exploitation of its natural resources and the development of key sectors.
Burundi’s officials continue to emphasize the country’s potential and invite international partners to be part of its growth story. With its Vision 2040-2060 laying the groundwork for long-term development, the government is hopeful that partnerships formed at the event will help propel the country toward a more prosperous future.
