A leading anti-corruption watchdog OLUCOME on Wednesday raised concerns over Burundi’s mining sector, calling corruption the primary factor crippling the industry. The organization’s chairman, Gabriel Rufyiri, has urged the government to establish a transparent platform that tracks mining activities and financial transactions, ensuring accountability in mineral exports.
OLUCOME’s renewed warning follows a series of statements by President Evariste Ndayishimiye, who has repeatedly questioned why Burundi’s mining sector fails to contribute significantly to state revenue despite the presence of numerous mining companies. Over the past week, the president lamented that mineral exports continue, yet the country’s treasury remains empty. He accused private operators of siphoning profits and using foreign currency earned from mining to acquire assets abroad instead of contributing to national development.
“Burundi’s minerals belong to the state. How did you privatize them and claim them as your own? How did this happen?” Ndayishimiye asked in a meeting with those involved in mineral extraction in the country, denouncing mining operators who, according to him, amass wealth while the nation struggles. “You own luxury V8 cars, some of you are billionaires, others export minerals and use the foreign currency to buy houses abroad, build industries abroad, and establish companies abroad. You extract minerals here, others hoard them, claiming to know where they are,” he added. The president expressed frustration over inaction, highlighting that while the government faces difficulties importing fuel due to foreign currency shortages, mineral wealth continues to be exploited without clear benefits to the state.
Ndayishimiye’s remarks came after a meeting with the Ministry of Energy and Mines to assess its progress over the past 100 days. He questioned why, despite over 200 mining cooperatives operating across various provinces, the state sees no significant financial returns. “Are these cooperatives truly operational or are they not?” he asked.
Echoing the president’s concerns, Rufyiri emphasized that the lack of transparency in the mining sector enables systemic corruption, further exacerbating economic challenges. “There should be a platform where all stakeholders can see who is mining and who is trading minerals,” he told Bonesha FM, a local radio station. “This platform should also track financial transactions so that everyone can follow how deals are being handled.”
Rufyiri also pointed to the government’s failure to take decisive action against those responsible for mineral embezzlement. Speaking to Umukubito, an local online TV, he expressed outrage over ongoing economic struggles despite the country’s resource wealth. “It is completely unacceptable that we continue to experience fuel shortages, lack medicine, fertilizers, and other essential resources, all because a small group of people is causing the country to remain poor. This situation is absolutely intolerable. We all need to join forces,” said Rufyiri.
He further criticized authorities for their reluctance to prosecute those involved in mineral theft, questioning why individuals known to trade minerals without benefiting the nation remain unpunished. “What is preventing these people from being held accountable? I do not understand why people can trade minerals without benefiting the country, yet their identities are known. This clearly shows that the government is not putting enough effort into ensuring that these minerals serve the national interest,” Rufyiri added.
Following recent government warnings, efforts to crack down on corruption in the mining sector have intensified. In Ngozi province, a prosecutor general was reportedly arrested for allegedly freeing convicted individuals involved in mineral theft. Rufyiri welcomed this move but stressed that law enforcement must be rigorous and consistent. “The existing laws must be enforced because it is inconceivable that money laundering and illicit enrichment are not being tackled in this country. If these issues are not addressed, then no matter what we do, nothing will change,” he warned.
For years, the Burundian government has signed mining contracts and memoranda of understanding with various companies, yet these agreements have often failed to yield positive results. In 2021, the government abruptly terminated agreements with international mining firms, arguing that Burundi was not receiving a fair share of the revenues generated from its natural resources. Despite this, concerns over mismanagement persist.
In December 2024, authorities granted a mining permit for cassiterite, columbite-tantalite, and associated minerals in the Murehe area of Busoni commune, Kirundo province, to SOTREVO Mining Company Limited. However, the decision sparked public skepticism, with many questioning the company’s origins, expertise, and legitimacy, as no publicly available information on SOTREVO exists.
Beyond the push for an online transparency platform, Rufyiri has urged government institutions to exercise their mandates effectively, warning against endless debates with no action. “It is crucial that different institutions play their respective roles. This is what I believe should be done; otherwise, we will find ourselves stuck in endless discussions while thieves continue to rob the country, and we remain passive,” he said.
Civil society groups have long called for increased transparency in the mining sector. In recent years, PARCEM, another prominent advocacy organization, stressed the need for publicly accessible mining contracts to ensure ethical management of resources. “First and foremost, it is crucial to publish mining contracts while considering the environmental aspect, to ensure companies uphold their commitments and to guarantee environmental protection,” said Faustin Ndikumana, PARCEM’s chairperson.
With growing pressure from civil society and continued scrutiny from the head of state, the Burundian government faces mounting expectations to implement real reforms. Ndayishimiye has vowed to end what he describes as “outright theft” in the sector, making it clear that those responsible will be held to account. “Minerals must not be a curse for this country—they are a blessing! You have looted the country, but even after taking less than 0.001% of our mineral wealth, we still don’t have enough fuel? Let’s wake up! The damage is done, but the theft must stop,” he said.
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