Burundi

The Republic of Burundi is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa. Its economy remains heavily dependent on the agricultural sector, which employs about 80% of the population, despite limited arable land and low productivity, contributing only 40% of GDP.

In recent years, the country has faced economic difficulties due to political instability, climate fluctuations, and increasing food insecurity. High inflation, driven by the global rise in prices of basic goods and fertilizers, has further worsened the situation. Burundi continues to face challenges related to widespread poverty, limited access to healthcare services, and food security.

Climate change had a significant impact, with extreme weather events such as droughts and floods affecting agricultural production and increasing the vulnerability of rural communities.

Italian Contribution

Italian Cooperation in Burundi focuses on supporting the work of civil society organizations (CSOs) and local entities active in various sectors, including agriculture (tomato value chain), energy (solar power for local communities), and healthcare.

AICS recently concluded an initiative under the Territorial Entities Call for Proposals, titled “Maison Parma, the Value of the Territory: the Tomato Value Chain and Sustainable Development”, implemented by the Municipality of Parma. The project promoted a value-chain approach to tomato cultivation and supported the creation of a local consortium for product processing.