Living in Burundi: the ultimate expat guide
Everything you need to know for a successful life in Burundi.
The Republic of Burundi is located in East Africa, in the African Great Lakes region. French speaking country, expatriates wishing to settle here and looking for career prospects will need to master the language in order to find opportunities.
Expats living in Burundi enjoy a simpler way of life than in their home country, experiencing a change of scenery and consumption habits.
Burundi is a developing country that continues to struggle with its economy due to the 12-year-long civil war and current ongoing civil conflict. The majority of the population is employed in agriculture, and as expected, the most fertile areas are in the highlands thanks to the moderate temperatures and rainfall.
The capital and largest city of Bujumbura is also the main port of the country, which ships Burundi's main exports such as coffee and sugar to the UK, Germany, and Switzerland. In Bujumbura, expats will enjoy the conveniences of city life with plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from. It is in Bujumbura where most expats live, so there's a cosmopolitan vibe and opportunities for networking.
Professional expats can seek employment opportunities in the NGO sector or the United Nations, which have been actively present in the country since its independence in 1962 from Belgium.
