Burundi plans to launch a security exchange market before the end of 2018 to help companies raise funds and thus compensate for the slowdown in bank lending in a context of economic decline, Reuters reported citing a high-ranking official of the country’s central bank.

"What is needed now is to set up a capital market which will boost economic growth and create jobs", said Arsène Mutoni, head of the central bank’s Capital Market Regulatory Department.

"We have many companies which want to widen their shareholder base", he added, indicating that some insurance companies and pension funds are ready to support the companies which would like to raise funds via this market.

Mutoni added that the central bank has initiated discussions in that regard with American funds willing to invest in developing countries.  

Burundi's economy has been underperforming since the 2015 political crisis created by the president Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision to run for a third presidential term.

In June 2018, Mr. Nkurunziza promised not to run for the 2020 elections even though the country’s constitution offers him the possibility to run for two additional 7-year terms and thus stay in power till 2034.