On Wednesday, January 19, 2022, the National Assembly of Burundi met in plenary session to analyze and adopt the calendar of its activities of the December 2021 ordinary parliamentary session for the period from 18 to 31 January 2022.

After the adoption, it proceeded to the analysis of the bill on the railway transport code in Burundi.

In fact, with the aim of establishing a sustainable and inclusive economic growth, the Government of the Republic of Burundi adopted a National Development Plan 2018-2027 (NDP 2018-2027) which recommends a long-term structural transformation of the economy characterised by a sustainable and equitable growth. The implementation of the NDP will make it possible, in particular, to build basic infrastructure for the economy and to develop the industrial fabric.

Contextually, Burundi has significant nickel deposits in Musongati, Waga and Nyabikere areas. The best known is Musongati, with reserves estimated at over 150 million tonnes of 1.6% nickel, of which 72.5 million tonnes are proven. In addition, the Burundian subsoil contains other mineralizations that have been highlighted by various studies, including proven reserves of vanadium ore, gold, cassiterite and colombo-tantalite deposits. Moreover, industrial minerals are also present, such as carbonate rocks, used for the manufacture of cement and raw materials used for the production of ceramic articles.

In this context, the Minister of Commerce, Transport and Tourism, Mrs Marie Chantal NIJIMBERE, was the guest of the day to explain and give clarifications on the background and the added value of this new law in the field of railway transport through the Uvinza-Musongati-Gitega railway, which is a brand new means of transport in Burundi.

Mrs Marie Chantal NIJIMBERE said that this project is part of a structural transformation of the country’s economy through the development of transport infrastructure in order to open up and connect Burundi to neighbouring countries by rail. In order to achieve this objective, she said that the country must put in place a legal, institutional and operational framework for rail transport.

Apart from the transport of minerals exploited in Burundi, this means of transport will have as advantages the reduction of transport costs, security and safety of goods including the capacity to transport mass products. After analysis by MPs, the bill was adopted unanimously.