A severe fuel shortage and a critical lack of foreign exchange, ongoing for nearly three years, are driving many private institutions and transport agencies in Burundi to the brink of collapse. Hotel owners and transport operators across the country warn that without urgent intervention, closures are imminent.
Hotel owners in key cities, particularly in Gitega, Burundi’s political capital, report substantial financial losses due to these crises. A hotelier, speaking anonymously, described operating under dire conditions: “Out of 18 rooms, we only host five to ten clients per week. We are operating at a loss.”
The inability to maintain operations during frequent power outages, exacerbated by the lack of fuel for generators, has worsened the situation. A hotel owner estimates monthly losses of up to 3 million Burundian francs, compared to pre-crisis monthly earnings of 10 million Burundian francs.
Additionally, the lack of foreign currency has made restocking essential supplies nearly impossible. Hotel equipment, often sourced from abroad, is now out of reach. A Gitega hotel owner said: “I must travel to the UAE for items like bed sheets and utensils, but the lack of foreign currency has paralyzed our operations.”
The transport sector is also facing severe challenges. Bujumbura-based agencies such as Volcano and Nicon have reported significant losses. Volcano, a major public transport company, disclosed a sharp decline in annual turnover, dropping from over 6.37 billion Burundian francs in 2020 to just 400 million Burundian francs by November 2024, according to its general manager.
Volcano has already placed many employees on technical leave and warned of a complete shutdown if the situation persists. “We will have to close our doors. The situation worsens every day, making continued operations unsustainable,” the agency’s manager said during a program on a local radio station in earlier November.
Nicon faces similar challenges, with routes like those to Kirundo in northern Burundi no longer financially viable. The agency’s representative hinted at abandoning operations unless significant changes occur.
Faustin Ndikumana, head of PARCEM, a local civil society organization, has called for a national dialogue to address the economic downturn. Speaking on Bonesha FM earlier in November, he said: “This situation cannot be resolved by the ruling party or the government alone. All Burundians must contribute their expertise to save the nation, or we risk descending further into economic isolation.”
The private sector’s struggles underline the urgency of addressing Burundi’s fuel shortages and foreign currency challenges to prevent widespread institutional collapse.
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