Bujumbura : 5,000 francs to operate—”canga canga” drivers denounce extortion

SOS Médias Burundi

Bujumbura, September 16, 2026—In Burundi’s commercial capital, home to the country’s main commercial activities and a large share of its services, a persistent fuel shortage continues to disrupt commuting. Shared taxis, commonly known as “canga canga,” serve as a makeshift solution for thousands of residents facing a scarcity of buses. However, for many drivers, this line of work also brings tensions with the police and demands for informal payments—practices they strongly denounce.

Police officers are stationed at various downtown parking areas to regulate traffic and transport. Yet, with buses becoming scarce, many taxi drivers are banding together to transport multiple passengers at once and share costs. This practice allows residents with limited means to travel to and from work at a lower cost than a private ride.

The situation has been complicated by official crackdowns on private cars used to carry passengers. These vehicles are not authorized to operate as public transport; owners are expected to use them for personal travel—specifically for “business and leisure.”

Drivers accuse the police

Drivers interviewed in the capital claim they are frequently chased away from certain locations by police officers who accuse them of parking in prohibited areas.

According to several accounts gathered by SOS Médias Burundi, some drivers must pay at least 5,000 Burundian francs per vehicle to continue operating without harassment. Those who refuse to pay risk having their registration documents confiscated and facing fines, particularly during checks by the Special Traffic Police (PSR).

“We are asked for money to be allowed to work.” “If you don’t pay, they take your documents,” says a driver speaking on condition of anonymity.

If confirmed, these accusations point to a system of informal levies that places a direct burden on drivers and, consequently, on passengers.

Passengers foot the bill

In a context where public transport is already inadequate, every additional expense is passed on to the fares charged to users.

Residents sometimes spend hours waiting for a bus. “Canga canga” vehicles thus represent one of the few alternatives for those who absolutely must travel. However, rising operating costs and the informal payments reported by some drivers drive up the cost of transport.

Residents also lament that private individuals attempting to give free rides to stranded people are prevented from doing so, even as the shortage of transport options affects a large segment of the population.

A lingering crisis

This situation unfolds against the backdrop of recurring fuel supply difficulties that Burundi has faced for several years. The crisis directly impacts transport, as well as the prices of goods and services and economic activity.

In Bujumbura, queues at gas stations and a scarcity of buses have profoundly altered commuting habits. For many residents, finding transport has become a daily ordeal.

Against this backdrop, “canga canga” drivers believe they are helping to alleviate the hardships faced by city dwellers. They are calling on the authorities to establish clear regulations that would allow them to operate legally, without—as they claim—being subjected to informal payments.

The question now is how the authorities can balance the regulation of public transport and the fight against illegal practices with the urgent mobility needs of a population grappling with a persistent fuel shortage.