(Ecofin Agency) - • Nearly 90% of Burundians lacked internet access in 2023, per ITU
• Government targets 4G coverage in 178 rural divisions, reaching 786,000 people
• Project includes national roaming, renewable energy, and open infrastructure

As of 2023, almost 90% of Burundi’s population had no access to the internet, according to data from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). To address this, the government—via the Universal Service Fund (USF)—has launched a plan to expand 4G coverage to 178 rural administrative divisions known as hills, aiming to reach around786,000 residents.

A public tender has been issued, open until June 26, 2025, inviting telecom operators to propose connectivity solutions for these underserved areas. The project is part of the Supporting the Foundations of the Digital Economy Program (PAFEN), which receives support from development partners including the World Bank.

The rollout is structured in three phases. The first targets 17 hills with 2G but no 3G or 4G coverage. The second includes 69 hills currently served by 2G from two operators. The third phase involves 92 hills with little to no 2G coverage. Implementation periods for each phase are set at 9, 14, and 18 months, respectively.

According to the tender, selected operators will co-finance, design, build, own, and operate the infrastructure under an open-access model that enables national roaming. The networks must also be climate-resilient and powered by renewable energy.

In 2023, 67.8% of Burundi’s population—then estimated at 13.7 million—remained uncovered by 4G, while the gap was 46.8% for 3G and 3.2% for 2G. Internet penetration was just 11.1%, compared to 20% for mobile telephony.

The government aims to close this digital divide by supporting the deployment of last-mile infrastructure in rural areas, where private investment is limited due to low commercial returns. The approach favors a “lowest cost subsidy” mechanism to maximize impact.

While better broadband coverage could increase access to digital services, other challenges remain. These include high costs for compatible devices and data plans, limited public awareness of digital tools, and widespread gaps in digital literacy.