Talent Wiki - Burundi
Your quick guide on talent and labor compliance norms in Burundi
Capital
Gitega
Currency
Burundian Franc (BIF)
Languages
Kirundi, French, English
Payroll Frequency
Monthly
GDP per Capita
$292
Employer Tax
6% - 8.8%
Talent Overview
Burundi is a landlocked country located in East Africa. Agriculture is their main economic activity, employing 90% of the population. Apart from this, resources such as petroleum, copper and nickel are currently being explored as a potential source of income for the country.
Major economic hubs:
Bujumbura, Gitega, Muyinga
Skills in demand:
Country sales manager, Finance major, Risk Manager, Project Management Director, Supply chain director.
Local Universities
The top local universities in Burundi are as follows:
Université du Burundi
RANKING
Local: 1
World : 9168
Université Espoir d’Afrique
RANKING
Local: 1
World : 11301
Université Lumière de Bujumbura
RANKING
Local: 1
World : 11788
Université de Ngozi
RANKING
Local: 1
World : 11962
École Normale Supérieure de Bujumbura
RANKING
Local: 1
World : 12719
Salary Data
Some common jobs in Burundi with average monthly salaries are mentioned below;
| Job Title | Average Monthly Salary (BIF) | Average Monthly Salary (USD) |
| Technical Support Engineer | 1,000,000 | 484 |
| Software Engineer | 1,160,000 | 561 |
| Database Analyst | 1,270,000 | 615 |
| User Experience | 1,240,000 | 600 |
| Project Manager | 1,290,000 | 624 |
| Sales Manager | 2,140,000 | 1,036 |
| Accounting and Finance | 1,760,000 | 852 |
Talent Sourcing Tips
Top Local Job Boards:
Careers in Africa, Job in Burundi, Jobs Micro
Number of LinkedIn users:
67,480
Top Recruitment Agencies:
Employing in Burundi
Employers are mandated to observe the Burundi Labor Code of 2020 when employing locals in the country. The following sections provide information regarding these laws.
Employee Contract:
Employment contracts in Burundi must be expressed in one of the country’s official languages (Kirundi, French or English) provided that both the employer and employee understands it.
Probation Period:
The probation period for employees in Burundi must not exceed 12 months.
Public and Provincial Holidays 2023
| Date | Name | Type |
| 1 Jan | New Year | Public Holiday |
| 2 Jan | Day off for New Year | Public Holiday |
| 5 Feb | Unity Day | Public Holiday |
| 6 Feb | Day off for Unity Day | Public Holiday |
| 6 Apr | President Ntaryamira Day | Public Holiday |
| 22 Apr | Eid ul Fitr (Tentative Date) | Public Holiday |
| 1 May | Labour Day | Public Holiday |
| 18 May | Ascension Day | Public Holiday |
| 8 Jun | President Pierre Nkurunziza Day | Public Holiday |
| 29 Jun | Eid al-Adha (Tentative Date) | Public Holiday |
| 1 Jul | Independence Day | Public Holiday |
| 15 Aug | Assumption of Mary | Public Holiday |
| 13 Oct | Prince Louis Rwagasore Day | Public Holiday |
| 21 Oct | President Ndadaye’s Day | Public Holiday |
| 1 Nov | All Saints’ Day | Public Holiday |
| 25 Dec | Christmas Day | Public Holiday |
Employee Leaves:
| Type of Leave | Time Period | Mandatory |
| Annual Leave | 20 days | Yes |
| Sick Leave | 3 months | Yes |
| Maternity Leave | 14 weeks | Yes |
Payroll
Payroll Cycle
Payroll in Burundi is processed and released monthly
Minimum Wage
Minimum Wage in Burundi ranges from BIF 105 to BIF 160 per day.
Overtime Pay
Employees in Burundi are compensated when they have worked for more than the required 45 hours a week. The Overtime pay rates will vary depending on when and how long the extra work is performed.
- 46th and 47th hour of overtime: 135%
- Beyond the 48th hour of overtime: 160%
- Weekend or Public Holiday of overtime: 200%
Bonus
13th Month Pay:
A 13th month pay in Burundi is not mandatory.
Employee Benefits:
Workers in Burundi are entitled to the following benefits upon employment:
- Statutory Leaves (maternity leave, annual leave, sick leave)
- Social Security benefits (old age benefits, work injury benefits, survivor benefits, etc.)
Taxes
Employer Payroll Tax
| Type of Contribution | Tax Rate | Details |
| Social Security Contribution | 6.00% | Maximum Contribution upto BIF 450,000 Per Month |
| Additional Social Security Contribution | 3.00% | Maximum Contribution upto BIF 80,000 Per Month |
Employee Payroll Tax
| Type of Contribution | Tax Rate | Details |
| Social Security Contribution | 4.00% | Maximum Contribution upto BIF 450,000 Per Month |
Employee Income Tax
| Salary Bracket | Tax Rate |
| 0 – BIF 1,800,000 | 0% |
| BIF 1,800,001 – BIF 3,600,000 | 20% |
| BIF 3,600,000 and above | 30% |
VAT
The standard rate for VAT in Burundi is 18%.
Offboarding & Termination
An employer or an employee may choose to terminate an employment contract. A notice must be provided by either party regarding the decision to terminate. In cases of employee misconduct or offence, a notice may not be necessary.
The notice period for employees in Burundi is determined by the collective bargaining agreement. Generally, employers give a notice period of up to 3 months.
Severance pay is based on the employees’ years of service with the employer. The rates are as follows:
| Length of Service | Severance Pay |
| Less than 3 years | 50% of the average monthly salary |
| 3 to 5 years | 100% of the average monthly salary |
| 5 to 10 years | 200% of the average monthly salary |
| 10 years and above | 300% of the average monthly salary |
Visa and Immigration
Foreigners planning to relocate to Burundi for work must secure a business visa and resident permit to legally stay in the country. The visa will allow them to stay for a period of 30 days, while the residence permit is valid for up to a year. These documents are renewable as long as the foreign employees process the documents and pay a fee before their expiration date.
