• Onatel signs $5.9 million deal to expand rural 4G

• Project targets 92 localities, 370,000 people in 18 months

• Initiative aims to narrow digital divide, boost connectivity

Burundi’s state-owned telecom operator Onatel signed a $5.9 million contract on Wednesday with PAFEN Burundi to deploy 4G mobile internet across underserved rural communities, under the oversight of the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Digital Economy.

Backed by the World Bank, the project aims to connect 92 localities and reach more than 370,000 people within 18 months. The initiative is designed to reduce the digital divide between urban centers and rural areas.

The contract is the latest in a series of investments in digital infrastructure. On March 2, 2026, operator Lumitel Burundi signed a separate $10 million agreement with Burundian authorities, also under the PAFEN framework, to expand 4G coverage in rural areas. Together, the two deals form part of a broader program targeting connectivity for 178 localities, reaching nearly 786,000 residents.

Despite this momentum, Burundi faces a significant connectivity gap. According to the International Telecommunication Union, nearly 90% of the population lacked internet access in 2023. Recent national data show improvement, with internet penetration estimated at 26% in 2024, driven mainly by mobile access.

However, disparities remain stark. 3G coverage reaches about 50.6% of the population, while 4G covers only 32.18%. 2G remains the dominant technology, particularly in rural areas where some localities still lack reliable connectivity. In 2023, around 67.8% of the population had no 4G coverage, compared with 46.8% without 3G.

To address this, authorities are pursuing a public digital infrastructure model based on open access and national roaming, allowing all operators to use the networks being deployed. The project also plans to incorporate renewable energy sources, notably solar power, to address low electrification rates in rural areas.

Infrastructure alone will not remove all barriers to adoption. The cost of compatible handsets, the affordability of data packages and low levels of digital literacy remain key constraints. Authorities say expanding broadband access is a necessary foundation for developing digital services such as e-government, digital health, online education and electronic payments.

Samira Njoya