A land-locked East African nation with lush natural beauty, including Lake Tanganyika and the Kibira National Park, Burundi is emerging as a promising destination for companies hiring remotely. Despite facing challenges, such as limited foreign investment and a low per capita GDP ($260), this small nation is making significant strides in digital development.
Its young, multilingual and cost-effective talent pool presents an opportunity for companies to access the skills of remote employees while keeping their hiring and operational costs in check.
Advantages of Hiring in Burundi
The World Bank reports that 65% of Burundi's population is under 25 years old as of 2021, with a literacy rate of 68.4% for adults aged 15 and above. But a young and literate workforce isn’t the only appeal for companies hiring a remote team in Burundi.
Typical entry-level salaries are among the lowest globally, allowing companies to access global talent at competitive rates. In addition to Kirundi, French is widely spoken, with English gaining prominence since becoming an official language in 2014.
Key details to know about Burundi:
- Currency: Burundian Franc (BIF)
- Languages: Kirundi, French, English
- Capital city: Gitega (political), Bujumbura (economic)
- Population: 13 million (2023 estimate)
- Cost of living rank: 186th
Burundi’s time zone (UTC+2) aligns with European and African markets for collaboration and the demographic advantages and cost savings make Burundi an attractive hub for sourcing remote talent.
Emerging Digital Ecosystem and Opportunities
While Burundi's tech sector is still in its early stages, several government-led initiatives and international partnerships are paving the way for advancements in digital infrastructure, skills development, and technological innovation.
In effect since 2010, the goal of the government-led National ICT Development Policy (PNDTIC) is to transform Burundi into a center of excellence and regional front-runner in digital development by 2025. Some of the policy initiatives include:
- Expanding broadband networks
- Improving internet connectivity
- Integrating digital skills training into the education system
- Promoting e-government services
- Enhancing cybersecurity and data protection
AI is gaining a foothold in the country thanks in part to PNDTIC. Researchers are developing AI-based systems for agricultural challenges, such as banana disease detection.
EON Reality, a leading multinational virtual reality and augmented reality software company, plans to provide 10,000 AI-driven learning courses and launch a Spatial AI Center and AI Autonomous Agents in Burundi.
Similarly, the Burundi Digital Foundations Project, supported by the World Bank, is investing in improving digital access and inclusion, enhancing digital public service delivery, and strengthening institutional coordination for digital initiatives.
While 80% of the population is still employed in agriculture, the government is committed to boosting job creation in sectors such as financial services through investment and reforms in the private sector.
These initiatives will help position Burundi as a desirable country for remote hiring for positions in:
- IT support and basic software development
- Financial and accounting services
- Risk management
- Project management
- Supply chain management
Employment Laws: Hiring Compliantly in Burundi
Employment Contracts
Both indefinite and fixed-term contracts are recognized in Burundi. Fixed-term contracts are allowed for specific situations (e.g., temporary tasks or seasonal work) but prohibited in certain circumstances (e.g., replacing workers during strikes).
Written contracts are required for indefinite or permanent employment, containing specific details such as employee information, job description, and compensation. While oral contracts may be recognized, written contracts are strongly recommended. Contracts must be in one of the country’s official languages — Kirundi, French, or English.
Working Hours & Pay
Burundi’s mandated minimum wage differs by region and the type of work performed, and ranges from BIF 105-160 per day.
The standard workday is eight hours, with employees typically working 45 hours over 5.5 days. Employers can extend overtime to a maximum of 15 hours per week or 150 hours annually.
Overtime must be compensated as follows on a regular workday:
- 35% above normal wages for the first two hours
- 60% above normal wages beyond the first two hours
Overtime on a rest day or public holiday must be compensated at twice the regular pay.
Probation Periods
Probation in Burundi typically lasts 6-12 months for fixed-term and indefinite contracts. Project-based employment doesn’t require probation.
Employer Taxes
In Burundi, employers must contribute 6% of the employee’s gross wages to INSS (pension and disability). The employer also contributes an additional 3% of gross wages for Occupational Risk Insurance, and 8.8% for Additional Occupational Risk Insurance (if the employee performs arduous work).
Termination Process & Severance Pay
For employer-initiated termination, the grounds for dismissal must be justified (except in case of misconduct) and clearly stated in writing. The minimum notice periods depend on the seniority of the employee:
- Up to 3 years of service: 30 days’ notice
- 3-5 years of service: 45 days’ notice
- 5-10 years of service: 2 months’ notice
- 10+ years of service: 3 months' notice
The minimum notice period for an employee-initiated resignation is approximately half of the required employer-initiated notice durations.
Severance pay is mandatory for dismissals due to economic, financial, or technical reasons, and varies depending on the length of employment.
Paid Leave Laws in Burundi
Vacation and Holiday
Employees accrue 1.67 days of paid leave per month, which works out to about 20 days a year. Burundian employees are also entitled to several paid public holidays, including:
- New Year’s Day
- Eid-el-Fitr
- Labor Day
- Independence Day
- Christmas Day
Sick Leave
Burundian employee benefits include a maximum of three months of sick leave every year. Employees out on sick leave are paid approximately 67% of their regular salary.
Maternity Leave
Pregnant employees receive 12 weeks of fully paid maternity leave, which can be extended by two more weeks if medically necessary. Leave typically commences six weeks prior to the due date, and extends for six weeks after. Employees receive their full salary while on maternity leave, with half paid by the employer and the rest by Social Security.
Paternity Leave
Fathers receive four days of fully paid paternity leave in Burundi.
Is There a Digital Nomad Visa for Burundi?
Burundi doesn’t currently offer a digital nomad visa. Visitors can enter Burundi on a tourist visa, also called the entry visa, which is valid for 30-90 days depending on the visitor’s nationality.
Tourist visas can be obtained online or upon arrival at the Bujumbura airport. Those who wish to stay indefinitely in Burundi can apply for a permanent resident visa.
While Burundi may not be a popular destination for freelancers and digital nomads yet, its growing investment in digital infrastructure and AI, and available skilled local talent can benefit companies seeking to build their remote workforce in Africa.
Hire in Burundi with Remofirst
As an Employer of Record (EOR), Remofirst simplifies the process of hiring remote workers in Burundi and over 180 other countries, including independent contractors and full-time employees. We shoulder the legal and administrative challenges of hiring and managing global team members, allowing you to focus on your core business activities.
At Remofirst, our team keeps track of Burundi's unique employment regulations, including the intricacies of the Burundian Labor Code, to keep your employment practices up-to-date and compliant.
Ready to explore the benefits of hiring in Burundi? Book a demo with us today to learn how we can support your global hiring strategy.
