• Burundi introduced BurundiPay, enabling real-time 24/7 payments across banks and mobile wallets.
• The platform ensures full interoperability between financial institutions and payment providers.
• The World Bank-backed system positions Burundi among 22 African countries with instant payment infrastructure.

Banque de la République du Burundi launched the national instant payment system “BurundiPay” on April 23 in Bujumbura, aiming to modernize financial transactions, expand financial inclusion and reduce cash reliance.

The  bank designed BurundiPay to streamline transactions and strengthen financial inclusion. The system enables users to transfer money and make payments in real time, 24 hours a day and seven days a week, from both bank accounts and mobile wallets.

BurundiPay introduces full interoperability across the financial ecosystem. The platform connects commercial banks, microfinance institutions and payment service providers within a single network, allowing seamless transactions across previously siloed systems.

As a result, the system eliminates constraints such as the need to withdraw cash before transferring funds between different institutions. This shift simplifies user experience and improves transaction efficiency across the market. The platform relies on international standards, including ISO 20022, ensuring high security levels and compatibility with global financial systems.

Moreover, BurundiPay integrates with existing national infrastructure, including real-time gross settlement systems and automated clearing houses. This integration strengthens the overall payment architecture and enhances system reliability.

BurundiPay emphasizes accessibility to support mass adoption. The platform operates on both smartphones and basic mobile phones via USSD codes, addressing limited internet penetration, which official data places at around 30%. This inclusive approach aims to extend financial services to underserved populations, particularly in rural areas where banking access remains low.

World Bank supported the project through the Digital Economy Foundations Support Project (PAFEN). This backing places Burundi among 22 African countries that have deployed instant payment infrastructure.

Consequently, the initiative aligns with broader continental trends, where financial digitalization acts as a key driver of economic transformation. The success of BurundiPay will depend on adoption by market participants and end users. Its rollout could accelerate financial integration, support digital commerce growth and improve transparency of financial flows.

Therefore, the system could play a central role in advancing Burundi’s economic modernization and growth ambitions.

This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum