• COMESA
• EAC
• ECCAS

• Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG) Overall Governance Score: 41.4 / 100
• Rank: 43rd out of 54 countries

The current population of Burundi is 14,374,796 (June 2025 estimate based on United Nations data via Worldometer).

The size of Burundi's informal economy is estimated at 35.3% of GDP (approximately USD 4 billion at GDP PPP levels).

It is estimated that approximately 95% of Burundians work in the informal economy. This includes mainly small-scale agriculture, as well as services, industry, and trade. In the absence of formal employment opportunities, many young people work in the informal sector.

Burundi’s legal system is a mixed system combining elements of Belgian civil law and customary law.

• The Constitution is the supreme law.
• Legislation, including presidential decrees, has binding authority.
• International treaties must be ratified and incorporated into domestic law.
• Customary law plays a significant role, particularly in personal matters at local level.

Burundi has been a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO) since 1963.

The country has ratified several ILO conventions, including:

• Conventions relating to fundamental rights at work
• The right to organise and collective bargaining
• Conventions addressing the worst forms of child labour

Burundi has developed a Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) 2020–2023, aligned with national development plans and aimed at mobilising resources for ILO-supported activities.

Burundi’s workers’ rights framework consists of constitutional protections, labour legislation, and ratified international and regional human rights instruments.

Burundi has ratified key international and regional treaties, including:

• ICCPR
• ICESCR
• African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR)

These instruments recognise rights such as:

• The right to fair wages
• Safe and healthy working conditions
• Freedom of association

Despite the existence of legal protections, enforcement challenges remain. Reports frequently highlight:

• Restrictions on freedom of association
• Incidents of forced labour
• Low wages and poor working conditions
• Limited access to justice

Burundi’s social protection system is currently undergoing revision with a focus on:

• Expanding coverage
• Improving coordination
• Addressing poverty and vulnerability
• Integrating contributory and non-contributory programmes

A key initiative is the establishment of a Unified Social Registry to improve targeting and resource allocation.

The ILO’s Global Flagship Programme on Building Social Protection Floors for All supports Burundi in extending social protection to informal workers by addressing:

• Legal barriers
• Administrative barriers
• Financial constraints

The programme aims to develop sustainable social protection systems in line with ILO standards and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Burundi has taken steps to align labour law with international standards and extend protection to informal workers.

The 2020 Labour Code forms part of broader reform efforts. Although a large proportion of workers remain in informal employment, especially in agriculture and related sectors, the government is working toward integration into formal systems and improved access to social protection.

The Social Protection Code of 2020 provides for:

• Financing of non-contributory social protection schemes
• Establishment of a dedicated social protection fund

The DWCP prioritises:

• Extension of social security coverage
• Inclusion of workers in informal and rural economies

The following sectors are identified for analysis:

Burundi

• Labour Code (Act No. 1/11 of 24 November 2020 revising Legislative Decree No. 1/037 of 7 July 1993)).

• Relations between domestic and informal sector workers and employers are governed by the Labor Code within the limits of the specific laws applicable to them. (Art. 2(2) of Art 3(2) of Labour Code).

• The employment and working conditions of domestic servants who have an employment relationship with the householder are laid down by a special law. (Art 3(2) of Labour Code).

• Act No. 1/18 of 18 May 2022 relating to the ratification by the Republic of Burundi of the agreement between the Government of Burundi and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the recruitment of domestic workers.

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Burundi

• Commercial Code (Act No. 1/07 of 26 April 2010) (see Arts 25, 26, 32, 41, 45-51).

A street vendor is a retailer who constantly moves from one place to another within the national territory, for a variable period of time, in order to carry out a trade whose turnover does not exceed an amount determined by joint order of the Ministers responsible for finance and trade.

Street vendors are exempt from registration in the Trade Register. However, they are required to obtain a street vendor identification number from their local authority. (Art. 45 of the Commercial Code).

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Burundi

Burundi does not have specific, explicit legislation directly focused on waste reclaimers (informal waste pickers), but the broader environmental laws and policies address waste management and indirectly impact their activities.

The Constitution and Environment Code emphasize environmental protection, waste management, and the prevention of pollution.

These frameworks establish principles for waste disposal, pollution control, and the management of hazardous materials, which can be relevant to reclaimers.

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Burundi

Burundi does not have a specific law on remote work or mobile work as distinct categories. However, the Burundian Labour Code does address home-working contracts.

These contracts, where employees perform work at home or another chosen location, are recognized and must be in writing, either as fixed-term or open-ended agreements.

Home-workers are entitled to the same working conditions and social protection as those working on company premises.

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Burundi (‘self-employed’ sector)

• Ministerial Order No. 620/57 of 20 March 1984 concerning the introduction of the medical assistance card, as amended by Ministerial Ordinance No. 630/172 of 23 May 1996.

Introduction of the medical assistance card, the voluntary acquisition of which is open to any Burundian aged 21 years whose activities fall within the self-employed sector. (Art 1)

• Act No. 1/12 of 12 May 2020 containing the Social Protection Code in Burundi.

• Insured person means any person covered against social risks, whether he/she is an employee, a self-employed person, etc. (Art 8(2)).

• Self-employed person, a free-lancer who is the owner and is his own employee. (Art 9(32)).

• The basic schemes cover members of the independent and liberal professions. (Art 23(5)).

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Burundi

In Burundi, farm work is governed by a combination of national laws and customary practices, with women often facing disadvantages in land ownership and inheritance.

The 2020 Labour Code aims to improve labour legislation according to ILO standards, and the Social Protection Code extends social security to those in the informal economy.

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Burundi

The main legal framework for mining in Burundi, including artisanal mining, is the Mining Code (Act No. 1/19 of 4 August 2023, amending Act No. 1/21 of 15 October 2013).

This Code, along with its implementing decrees, regulates all mining activities, including prospecting, exploration, and exploitation, both industrial and artisanal.

Implementing Decrees include:

• Mining Regulations (Decree No. 100/193 of 16 June 2015)

This Decree sets out the terms and conditions for the implementation of the Mining Code (Act No. 1/21 of 15 October 2013 as amended by Act No. 1/19 of 4 August 2023).

It also regulates related matters not expressly set out, defined or regulated by the provisions of the Mining Code (Act No. 1/21 of 15 October 2013 as amended by Act No. 1/19 of 4 August 2023) (Art. 1).

• Decree No. 100/224 of 23 November 2023 laying down the implementing provisions of Act No. 1/19 of 4 August 2023 relating to the Mining Code of Burundi in relation to artisanal mining, semi-mechanised mining, artisanal quarrying and mechanised quarrying.

This Decree shall be applicable to onshore and offshore minerals and must comply with the laws applicable in Burundi.

This Decree sets out the terms and conditions for the implementation of the Mining Code (Act No. 1/21 of 15 October 2013 as amended by Act No. 1/19 of 4 August 2023) with regard to the exploitation of mineral resources:

• Summary geological assessment
• Artisanal mining
• Semi-mechanised mining
• Exploitation of Mines and Quarries in the Republic of Burundi other than Mines for Solid Fuel and Hydrocarbon Mines Exploited by Drilling.

The provisions of this Regulation shall be applicable to mines, quarries, underground and open-pit mines (other than hydrocarbon mines operated by drilling) and to their legal dependencies where supervision is carried out by the Minister in charge of mines and quarries.

For exploration work carried out outside concessions, exploitation permits or authorisations, this general regulation shall outline the rules of good practice to be followed by the explorer. (Art. 1, §1).

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No Burundi-specific legislation identified in the current mapping.

No Burundi-specific legislation identified in the current mapping.