Burundi launches US$100M credit facility

BURUNDI – The Burundian government has launched a BIF 300 billion (US$100.5 million) credit facility through CRDB Bank Burundi to finance investment in livestock, agriculture and processing, providing producers and agribusinesses with access to loans at an annual interest rate of 5%.

The facility aims to support productive investments, including the purchase of livestock equipment, agricultural machinery, and other assets needed to expand production and processing capacity.

For the livestock sector, the financing could support investments in equipment and infrastructure needed to improve animal production and strengthen links between livestock farming and processing.

The initiative comes as Burundi seeks to address limited access to finance, which remains a constraint on investment and productivity across its agriculture-dependent economy.

According to government data, agriculture accounts for 39.6% of Burundi’s GDP and 84% of employment, while supplying about 95% of the country’s food. The sector is also a major source of raw materials for food processing.

Financing targets livestock value chain

The government said the credit facility will support investors in agriculture, livestock farming, agricultural and livestock processing, and other high-impact economic activities.

Loans can be used to purchase livestock equipment and other productive assets, potentially enabling farmers and businesses to expand operations and improve processing capacity.

The facility also forms part of broader government measures aimed at increasing domestic production, promoting local processing, creating employment, reducing food imports and strengthening exports.

The Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Livestock will oversee access to state-owned land earmarked for productive projects, while CRDB Bank Burundi will handle financing applications. 

The government has clarified that land allocation and access to credit are separate procedures.

Access to finance remains an important issue for Burundi’s agriculture and livestock industries. 

The African Development Bank’s 2026 country report shows that domestic credit averaged 30.4% of GDP between 2020 and 2024, below the African average of 34.6%.

The new facility therefore provides a targeted financing mechanism as the government seeks to raise productivity across an economy heavily dependent on agriculture.

For the livestock industry, investment in equipment, production systems and processing capacity will be important for improving the value generated from animal production. 

Stronger processing capacity could also support the development of more integrated livestock value chains and reduce reliance on imported food products.

The initiative aligns with Burundi’s Vision 2040-2060, which identifies agriculture as a key driver of wealth creation and economic development. 

The government aims to increase agriculture’s share of public spending to 10%, from 9.4% in 2022, while improving food security over the longer term.

The African Development Bank expects Burundi’s economy to grow by 4.3% in 2026 and 4.6% in 2027, with agriculture among the sectors expected to support growth.

With livestock and agriculture accounting for a significant share of economic activity and employment, lower-cost financing could create new opportunities for investment in production, equipment, and processing across Burundi’s livestock value chain.

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