• Burundi’s PAFEN project reaches 61% budget commitment at mid-term review

• World Bank finances the $92 million program to modernize public systems and services

• Government prioritizes digital public finance management and national digital ID rollout

Burundi advances its administrative modernization by leveraging digital technologies to strengthen public resource management. The World Bank conducted an evaluation mission on Thursday, March 26, to assess progress on the Digital Economy Foundations Support Project (PAFEN), a key pillar of the country’s digital transformation strategy.

The project reached a 61% budget commitment rate at mid-term, according to figures disclosed during the review.

The government launched PAFEN in 2024 with $92 million in financing from the World Bank. The program aims to modernize public systems through digital tools, particularly in public finance management and access to administrative services.

Consequently, authorities focus on strengthening institutional efficiency and service delivery through digital infrastructure.

The evaluation places strong emphasis on the modernization of public finance management systems. The government deploys digital solutions to improve revenue collection and monitor public spending.

These reforms aim to reduce resource losses and strengthen budget transparency. Moreover, the government aligns these efforts with its broader macroeconomic consolidation framework under Vision 2040–2060.

PAFEN also includes the rollout of a national digital identity system as a central reform component. The government intends to use this system to improve access to public services and streamline administrative procedures.

In addition, authorities seek to enhance citizen identification and promote the integration of rural populations into the formal economy. The project also provides for the establishment of a national data center.

The World Bank mission aims to identify operational constraints that slow project execution. It also evaluates achieved results and determines adjustments needed to accelerate implementation by the 2028 target.

Following technical discussions held since Monday, March 23, stakeholders emphasized the need to adapt certain mechanisms to facilitate the deployment of digital infrastructure.

This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum