Bujumbura Mairie

Bujumbura Mairie embodies the concentration of economic activity in a landlocked nation facing severe crisis. As Burundi's commercial capital and port on Lake Tanganyika, the city handles coffee and tea exports that account for more than 80% of national export revenue. Industrial activity concentrates almost entirely here, limited to small-scale processing and manufacturing plants. Yet by October 2025, Burundi has faced nearly five years of fuel shortage alongside widespread power outages and drinking-water scarcity that economists describe as one of the worst crises in the nation's recent history.

Agriculture employs over 90% of Burundi's population and contributes over 40% of GDP, with coffee remaining central despite world price volatility. The government established ODECA as the new central coffee marketing authority based in Bujumbura, implementing an auction system for exports to better control pricing and keep USD funds in the country. Coffee exports contributed 19.1% of total exports in 2023, tea another 9.2%.

Recurrent flooding along Lake Tanganyika since 2019 has damaged the agricultural base that supports rural populations. The current account deficit is projected to decline in 2025 through higher agricultural and mining export revenues and lower petroleum import costs. Bujumbura's challenge is maintaining its role as export hub and government center while the energy and fuel crisis disrupts basic operations.