Burundi

Olivia University Cultural Week stood out for health-centered initiatives that had a direct impact on the local population: a blood drive and free screening organized with a number of partners including Burundi Red Cross and Kira and Tanganyika hospitals

Burundi will benefit from a new US funding aimed to finance readiness in response to the ongoing Ebola outbreaks; the $20 million budget will be shared with Kenya, Rwanda and South Sudan

Tensions with Rwanda escalated as controversial comments by Burundi's ambassador to Belgium prompted a sharp reaction from Kigali and defense from Burundi officials; the whole issue has generated and is being mainly handled on social media

National instant payment system BurundiPay is officially available, enhancing access to digital financial services and cashless transactions; a public initiative, it integrates payment channels, like banks and mobile money services, into a single system

A blast in a military munitions depot in Bujumbura, likely caused by an electricity failure, left at least 13 killed and 57 injured

The launch of e-KORI, Burundi's new integrated tax filing and payment system, will modernize tax administration practices and strengthen revenue collection, seeking to progressively improve the quality of services offered to taxpayers

A recent analysis shows that 2025 territorial reform, set to make Burundi more efficient with strengthened municipalities, fewer provinces and an administration closer to the citizens, is gaining momentum after a complicated start

Petroleum Supply Agency SOPEBU met with 114 owners of public transport vehicles to discuss possible irregularities in the usage of fuels; digitalized data collection would show that drivers did not complete the scheduled runs but finished supplied fuel

A wave of seasonal influenza is affecting several areas of Burundi, having particular impact on schools; though symptoms are similar, health officials have already ruled out Covid-19

76.000 new refugees have been welcomed in Burundi from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, even after rebel group M23 announced their withdrawal from the city of Uvira; according to UNHCR, $33 million are needed to fully absorb the newcomers

Foreign Affairs Minister said Rwanda has continued to deploy troops notwithstanding the ceasefire agreement with DRC, thus fueling insecurity affecting also the area along the Burundi border

Leaders of the private sector in East Africa urged partner states to eliminate non-tariff barriers and willingness to accelerate into-regional trade; the call came from EABC CEOs meeting in Bujumbura