SPECIAL REPORT
building materials such as glasses, profi les, metal sheets, tiles,
cement, etc. There is need to establish a chemical industry,
and manufacture fertilisers for agriculture. Additionally, there
is only one textile industry with very limited technology.
Healthcare: The healthcare sector continues to expand in
Burundi. Setting up of private health institutions will enable
Burundi to become a healthcare hub for populations within
Burundi and the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the
Congo and Tanzania.
Education: Burundi is thirsty for skills to help spur its
economy forward. With a huge population of young adults,
Burundi is in need of skilled manpower.
Strong measures have
been taken to combat
and eradicate corruption,
including the setting up of the
General Prosecutor’s offi ce at
the anti-corruption court
Finance & Banking: The fi nancial services sector in
Burundi remains largely untapped as the country has a huge
population that does not have access to banking facilities
Legal Framework for FDI in Burundi
• Creation of the Burundi Revenue Authority for better tax
payment services and tax collection performance.
• Non-discriminatory and attractive Investment Code
ensuring the protection of investors and investments.
• Freedom of establishment and investment of capital.
• The granting of visas and the freedom to apply for
residence visas for investors and expatriates.
• Guarantees the right of ownership to any natural or legal
person, without any discrimination.
• Guarantees free transfer of foreign capital and their
income, after payment of taxes and duties.
• Strong measures have been taken to combat and
eradicate corruption, including the setting up of the General
Prosecutor’s offi ce at the anti-corruption court, and the
establishment of the Special Anti-Corruption Police, the
institution in charge of fi ghting corruption.
Tax Benefi ts
Acquisition of buildings and land, essential to the
realisation of business opportunities, is exempt from the
purview of transfer duties.
The investor also benefi ts from a reduction in the tax rate
on profi ts as follows:
• 2 percent, if it employs a number of Burundian workers
between 50 and 200;
• 5 percent, if it employs more than 200 Burundian
workers.
The staff counted is the one benefi ting from remuneration
subject to the taxation of wages and registered to the National
Institute of Social Security insurance.
There is also ongoing implementation of bold reforms and
simplifi ed administrative procedures to make it easier to do
business in the country.
VAT exemption for investment projects identifi ed and
approved by a special board as part of priority sectors which
are strategic to the growth of the national economy has also
been introduced.
* The author is the Chief Executive Offi cer of Burundi
Investment Promotion Authority
COMESA• 2018 • 37