The President of Burundi, Major General Evariste Ndayishimiye, received Albert G. Zeufack, the World Bank’s Director of Operations for Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, and São Tomé and Príncipe in a high-level meeting at the Kiriri Presidential Palace on 17 April 2025.
The talks focused on assessing World Bank-funded activities over the past three years and outlining a roadmap for the next six.
The discussion underscored Burundi’s development priorities, with particular attention given to agricultural transformation, energy, and mining.
These sectors are viewed as pivotal to the nation’s socio-economic growth in the years ahead.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca, a Lieutenant General in the police force, chaired a joint review meeting of the World Bank’s investment portfolio in Burundi.
The aim was to evaluate the performance of various projects funded by the institution.
With less than three months remaining in the 2024–2025 fiscal year, disbursement from the World Bank’s portfolio stood at just 13.3%, significantly below the anticipated 25%.
A total of 16 national and 3 regional projects were reviewed.
Minister of Finance Nestor Ntahontuye acknowledged that while some initiatives are progressing well, others are facing challenges related to coordination and communication.
A strategic retreat is planned to develop a corrective roadmap and improve implementation.
Burundi’s partnership with the World Bank remains crucial. With a portfolio valued at $1.9 billion, the institution is the country’s largest financial partner, supporting vital sectors such as energy, education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
“The performance monitoring of projects is a top priority,” stated Prime Minister Ndirakobuca.
“We are committed to results-based management and transparent accountability to our people.”
The meeting also reaffirmed Burundi’s long-term development vision.
The Burundi 2040–2060 plan aims to elevate the country to emerging market status by 2040 and to developed nation status by 2060 through strategic partnerships and sustainable development.
Albert G. Zeufack reiterated the World Bank’s commitment, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, rigorous oversight, and joint action in achieving measurable progress for the Burundian population.
This gathering represents a pivotal step in the country’s journey toward economic transformation and development sustainability.
Source: burundi-forum
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